Enteral tube feeding: state of the art.

We have provided an introduction and brief overview covering a new field of enteral nutrition and an important topic for research and patient care. Several advances have been developed and we must seize the opportunity to exploit new opportunities. Also, the endocrinology, biochemistry, and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract can be better understood in terms of response to enteral feeding. This "nutritional medicine" has potential to reduce the severity of illness, hasten recovery and agility, and restore quality to life.