LB039 - TRANSITIONING TO A PEA PROTEIN PLANT-BASED ENTERAL FORMULA (PPPBF)SUPPORTS GASTROINTESTINAL AND METABOLIC HEALTH IN TUBE-FED MEDICALLY COMPLEX ADULTS

LB039

TRANSITIONING TO A PEA PROTEIN PLANT-BASED ENTERAL FORMULA (PPPBF)SUPPORTS GASTROINTESTINAL AND METABOLIC HEALTH IN

TUBE-FED MEDICALLY COMPLEX ADULTS

N. Withrow^1,*, J. Franck², C. Anderson²

¹Kate Farms, Goleta, ²Nutrition, The Center For Discovery, Harris, United States

Rationale: Individuals in medical residential settings have specific nutritional requirements in response to a complex landscape of acute and chronic medical conditions, co-morbidities, and multiple medications. While there is evidence that plant-based dietary patterns improve aspects of health in healthy populations to our knowledge the benefits of transitioning medically complex residents to a PPPBF has not been assessed therefore we proposed that a PPPBF would be well tolerated based on Gastrointestinal indexes. This study will fill a critical evidence gap and may inform clinical guidelines for tube‑fed individuals.

Methods: This was a three-month retrospective chart review involving medically complex, tube-fed adults who resided in a specialized medical residential facility. The facility follows a "seed to belly" approach, emphasizing plant-forward nutrition to meet the dietary needs of its residents. To follow the facility’s philosophy tube-fed residents were transitioned to a PPPBF following the collection of baseline data upon admission. This study conducted a within‑subject pre/post analysis of GI function, weight, medication use and objective lab markers in a real‑world residential setting.

Results: Twenty residents (10 males, 10 females) aged 21 to 58 years (mean age: 38), all with multiple medical diagnoses, such as intellectual disabilities (n=16), cerebral palsy (n=15), constipation (n=17), and vitamin D deficiency (n=13) successfully transitioned to a PPPBF. In this demographically and medically diverse sample of individuals, the transition was associated with a significant reduction in Type 7 Bristol stool movements (p = 0.025), as well as improved metabolic health, evidenced by a significant decrease in HbA1c levels (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Due to the complexity of these residents, there is a higher risk of unmet medical and nutritional requirements. This is the first study that used a PPPBF to support GI tolerance and metabolic health. These results warrant additional prospective research as plant-based enteral formulations may improve specific aspects of resident health,reduce medical care intensity, and risk of malnutrition.

References: 1. Parsons El, Stratton RJ, Cawood AL, Smith TR, Elia M. Oral nutritional supplements in a randomised trial are more effective than dietary advice at improving quality of life in malnourished care home residents. Clinical Nutrition 2017;36:134-142.
2. Hobden KL, Samuel PS, LeRoy BW, Lindsay D. An empirical examination of the prevalence and predictors of polypharmacy in individuals with dual diagnoses. IJDCR 2013;12(1):1-14.
3. Russell CA, Elia M. Malnutrition in the UK: where does it begin? Proc Nutr Soc 2010;69(4): 465-9. 
4. Withrow NA, Al-Tawil Y, Patterson PJ, Oliver M, Ryan E, Millovich V, Garbiras V, Valentine CJ. Retrospective cohort study demonstrates tolerance and adherence on a Pea Based Complete Enteral formula when transitioned from a previous hypoallergenic product. Nutrients 2024; 16:1-16..

Disclosure of Interest: N. Withrow: None declared, J. Franck Other: Primary Investigator, C. Anderson Other: Biostatistician