Nutrient requirements in various clinical conditions.

We now have a fairly good knowledge of the number of essential nutrients required in man. However, the studies are limited on the exact basic, minimal and optimal requirements of these nutrients in various conditions. Many more investigations are necessary in this field of clinical nutrition. We also need more information on the various biological and clinical parameters to be used in such studies. However, the present recommendations of the nutrient intakes in various clinical situations seem to be sufficient to maintain or obtain a good nutritional status in many clinical conditions and to prevent nutrient deficiency symptoms. Most of these recommendations are generous in relation to the basic requirements. The achievements in this field make us currently able to nourish our patients properly either by well-balanced ordinary hospital food or by tube feeding or parenteral nutrition.