Enteral feeding enriched with carotenoids normalizes the carotenoid status and reduces oxidative stress in long-term enterally fed patients

This study demonstrated that enteral nutrition containing small amounts of carotenoids (3-mg/1500 kcal) in patients requiring long-term enteral feeding normalizes serum carotenoid levels to the lower end of the range found in age-matched controls. The NF-κB data indicate a reduction in oxidative stress in these patients. Therefore, the use of formulas containing a mixture of carotenoids should be recommended for long-term enteral nutrition.