Use of hydrolysate-based products in special medical diets

Medical foods-enteral formulas used to feed hospitalized patients and foods for those with rare diseases, including food allergies-have been an important achievement in science and medicine during the past 40 years. Formulas based on protein hydrolysates and amino acids have found clinical use in enteral diets. Examples of the diseases or clinical conditions where protein hydrolysates appear useful include Crohn's disease, short bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, food allergies, ulcerative colitis, fistulas and severe trauma. The use of hydrolysate-based products in the first four conditions mentioned is discussed in detail here.