Therapeutic food

Therapeutic food is a type of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of individuals suffering from severe malnutrition. These foods are typically energy-dense, micronutrient-enriched pastes that have a long shelf-life and require no preparation or refrigeration.

History

The concept of therapeutic food originated in the 1990s, when Doctors Without Borders began using a product called Plumpy'Nut to treat severe acute malnutrition in emergency situations. Since then, various other types of therapeutic foods have been developed, including F-100 and F-75, which are used in inpatient settings to treat severe malnutrition.

Composition

Therapeutic foods are typically made from a mixture of protein, fat, and carbohydrate, and are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. The exact composition can vary depending on the specific product and the nutritional needs of the target population. For example, Plumpy'Nut is made from peanuts, sugar, vegetable oil, and skimmed milk powder, and is fortified with a vitamin and mineral mix.

Use

Therapeutic foods are used in a variety of settings, including emergency relief operations, refugee camps, and clinics in developing countries. They are also used in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in children under five years of age, as well as in adults with certain medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis.

Effectiveness

Numerous studies have shown that therapeutic foods are effective in treating severe acute malnutrition. They have been found to significantly improve weight gain and recovery rates, and to reduce mortality rates among malnourished children. However, their use is not without controversy, with some critics arguing that they are a short-term solution to a long-term problem, and that more emphasis should be placed on preventing malnutrition in the first place.

See also

• Malnutrition
• Ready-to-use therapeutic food
• Plumpy'Nut
• F-100
• F-75

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  18-month-old James and his mother Margaret, pictured with a supply of sachets of Plumpy Nut, a Ready to Use Therapeutic Food used to treat acute malnutrition, Turkana County, northern Kenya, 28 March 2017.