Medical nutrition

Strengthening patient care through science-based medical nutrition

Medical nutrition provides specialized nutritional support for patients with medical conditions, disease-related malnutrition, or increased nutritional needs. Malnutrition is a major health challenge worldwide because, despite its high prevalence, it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Fresenius’ Medical Nutrition business contributes to strengthening the role of medical nutrition in healthcare to improve patient outcomes.

Adult and child raising glasses of orange-colored drinks at a kitchen table with bowls and fresh fruit.

Life depends on how we nourish it. Medical nutrition can have a significant impact on treatment, recovery and quality of life across a range of conditions, from acute illness to chronic disease to age-related health. Despite the importance of good nutrition, malnutrition and disease-related malnutrition remain underdiagnosed and undertreated.1

Our Medical Nutrition business provides science-based medical nutrition solutions across the continuum of care:

  • Oral or enteral nutrition for geriatrics aging, oncology, chronic kidney disease, metabolic, autoimmune care, critical care, surgery, and nephrology
  • Parenteral nutrition delivered via infusion when meeting nutritional needs through normal digestion is not possible
  • Homecare nutrition solutions tailored to patient needs

With more than 60 years’ experience in medical nutrition, our work is grounded in scientific expertise, clinical evidence and a strong focus on supporting patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. 

Up to 50% 
of hospitalized patients affected by disease-related malnutrition.2

40% 
of cancer patients affected by disease-related malnutrition.2

30-70% 
of elderly patients affected by disease-related malnutrition.2

Learn more about enteral nutrition

Improved nutrition care for patients with disease-related malnutrition can help address current and future healthcare challenges, including increased patient numbers and resource constraints, by improving clinical outcomes, reducing mortality and lowering the risk of hospital readmission.2

Medical nutrition support can be beneficial across a wide range of conditions and age groups, from acute illness to chronic disease to preventative health. When used appropriately, medical nutrition can help prevent or manage nutrition-related complications, preserve function and muscle mass, support healthy aging, and improve survival and quality of life in appropriate patient populations.3

Caregiver supporting an older adult in a home environment

Advances in medical nutrition science and a growing understanding of its therapeutic value have vastly increased the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. Whether in hospital settings, intensive care, or at home, medical nutrition is an essential component of treatment pathways. 

Our commitment

Patients drive everything we do. Drawing on scientific and pharmaceutical expertise together with clinical experience, we develop products designed for use in real-world care environments, centered on improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

  • Uniquely equipped to deliver innovations across the full care continuum from acute illness to homecare thanks to nutritional expertise and pharmaceutical heritage
  • Offer solutions that align with clinical requirements and patient needs, including innovative therapeutic formats and enhanced levels of palatability
  • Address different needs of neonatal, pediatric, and vulnerable patient groups through specific formulations 
More on innovation

Quality and continuity of supply are essential to ensure that patients receive consistent nutritional support. 

  • Established manufacturing systems designed to meet high regulatory and quality standards
  • Global capabilities with local manufacturing in the US and Europe 
More on quality and resilient supply

Our science-based approach and broad portfolio across oral, enteral, and parenteral nutrition enables us to contribute to more efficient care delivery and improved patient outcomes.

  • Work to advance understanding of medical nutrition and support integration into clinical practice
  • Translating guidelines into clinical practice, scientific education initiatives, and clinical evidence
  • Aim to strengthen the role of medical nutrition by focusing on areas such as prehabilitation, malnutrition risk, recovery support, and continuity of care across hospital and home settings
More on future-ready healthcare systems

We collaborate closely with clinicians, dieticians, care teams, and other nutrition professionals to support the appropriate use of medical nutrition and to develop solutions that reflect clinical practice as well as providing mentorship and research grant programs to empower early-career healthcare professionals to advance nutrition research.

  • Field teams provide expertise in hospital and home care environments, supporting access to appropriate nutrition and its integration into patient care
  • Education and training initiatives help address knowledge gaps and support informed decision-making, learn more at nutritionevents.com
  • Direct patient support through resources and information platforms, encouraging active participation in care
More on people and partnerships

Fresubin

Our range of effective and reliable nutritional products to close the nutritional gap between daily food intake and the body’s needs. With ready-to-drink beverages, yogurt-style supplements, powders, and tube feeds, our product formulas are designed to meet patients’ individual needs.

>500 units of Fresubin 
are consumed every minute

Learn more about Fresubin
Explore Fresubin products

FAQ

Medical nutrition refers to scientifically developed nutritional products and therapies used to support patients with specific medical conditions, disease-related malnutrition, or increased nutritional needs. It can include oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition (tube feeding), and parenteral nutrition administered intravenously.

Appropriate nutritional support can help improve clinical outcomes, reduce mortality risk, support recovery, maintain muscle mass and function, and enhance quality of life in suitable patient populations. Medical nutrition can also contribute to reduced hospital readmissions and more efficient healthcare delivery.

Medical nutrition includes:

  • Oral nutritional supplements for patients who can eat and drink.
  • Enteral nutrition is delivered through feeding tubes when oral intake is insufficient or not possible.
  • Parenteral nutrition administered intravenously when the gastrointestinal tract cannot be used adequately

Patients who are elderly, have cancer or chronic kidney, metabolic or autoimmune disease may be at increased risk for malnutrition.

Fresenius' Medical Nutrition business provides science-based nutritional solutions spanning oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition. The company supports patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals across hospitals, intensive care, rehabilitation, and homecare environments.

References

1. Saunders J, Smith T. Malnutrition: causes and consequences. Clinical Medicine (Lond). 2010;10(6):624-627. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4951875/   

2. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe (2023). Disease-related malnutrition: a time for action. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/375033. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO

3. Volkert D, et al. (2022). ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. Clinical Nutrition. https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614%2822%2900034-6/fulltext