What are artificial means of nutrition? A comprehensive guide

January 5, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), artificial nutrition has been used since the 1960s and can be life-saving for patients who cannot eat normally. So, what are artificial means of nutrition, and how do these methods provide essential sustenance when natural feeding is not possible or safe?

Quick Summary

This guide covers the two main types of artificial nutrition: enteral and parenteral. It details the various delivery methods, the clinical conditions for which they are used, and the crucial distinction between feeding via the digestive tract and directly into the bloodstream.

Key Points

Two Primary Methods: Artificial nutrition includes enteral feeding (via the GI tract) and parenteral nutrition (via the bloodstream).
Enteral is Preferred: If the gut is functional, enteral nutrition is safer, cheaper, and more physiological than parenteral nutrition.
Parenteral for Gut Failure: Parenteral nutrition is reserved for patients with a non-functioning GI tract or other contraindications for enteral feeding.
Variety of Delivery Devices: Both methods employ multiple access devices, from temporary nasal tubes to surgically placed long-term options.
Potential Complications Exist: Risks include infection, metabolic imbalances (like refeeding syndrome), and technical issues with the access devices.
Team-Based Management is Crucial: A team of physicians, dietitians, and nurses is essential for assessing needs, developing the feeding plan, and monitoring for complications.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Artificial Nutrition

Artificial nutrition, also known as clinical nutrition support, is a medical intervention to provide essential nutrients to patients unable to eat or absorb food normally. It is crucial for preventing or treating malnutrition in various conditions like neurological disorders, GI diseases, or certain cancers. There are two main types:

Enteral Nutrition (EN): Delivers nutrients via a feeding tube into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It's preferred when the gut works, being safer and cheaper.
Parenteral Nutrition (PN): Provides nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an IV, bypassing the GI tract. It's used when the gut is non-functional.

Enteral Nutrition: Methods and Mechanisms

Enteral feeding uses the digestive system with tubes. The type and placement depend on how long feeding is needed.

Common Enteral Access Devices

Nasogastric (NG) Tube: A temporary tube through the nose into the stomach, used for short-term feeding up to 4–6 weeks.
Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube/PEG): Placed directly into the stomach through the abdomen for long-term feeding (over a few weeks).
Jejunostomy Tube (J-Tube): Surgically placed into the jejunum (small intestine), often used for patients with gastric emptying or reflux issues.

Parenteral Nutrition: Intravenous Feeding

Parenteral nutrition is used when the GI tract isn't an option. It delivers a nutrient mix into the bloodstream.

Types of Parenteral Nutrition

Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition (PPN): Administered through a peripheral vein (e.g., in the arm). It's for partial or temporary support due to lower nutrient concentration limits.
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN): For complete nutritional needs, given through a central vein (like the superior vena cava) allowing higher concentrations. Access uses a central line, such as a PICC line or implanted port.

Indications for Artificial Nutrition

Artificial nutrition helps manage malnutrition in various conditions when oral intake is impossible or unsafe. Indications include:

Neurological Impairments: Conditions causing swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), like stroke or Parkinson's.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Diseases preventing nutrient absorption, such as severe IBD or intestinal obstruction.
Cancer: Difficulty eating due to tumors, treatment side effects (radiation, chemotherapy), or surgery.
Critical Illness and Trauma: Increased nutrient needs from burns, fractures, or sepsis that oral intake can't meet.

Comparison: Enteral vs. Parenteral Nutrition


Feature	Enteral Nutrition (EN)	Parenteral Nutrition (PN)
Delivery Route	Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract	Intravenous (Vein), bypassing GI tract
GI Function	Requires a functional GI tract	Used when GI tract is non-functional
Infection Risk	Lower; helps preserve gut barrier function	Higher; risk of catheter-related sepsis
Cost	Less expensive	More expensive due to complex formulations and administration
Nutrient Absorption	Relies on natural absorption processes	Nutrients delivered directly into bloodstream
Administration Complexity	Simpler, bedside placement often possible	Requires sterile, trained placement of central IV line

Benefits and Risks of Artificial Nutrition

Artificial nutrition prevents malnutrition and aids recovery. It can be a temporary or long-term solution, improving quality of life. However, risks exist:

Risks of Enteral Nutrition

Aspiration Pneumonia: Feed entering the lungs.
Tube Problems: Clogging, dislodgement, or infection.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Nausea, diarrhea, cramping.
Refeeding Syndrome: Dangerous electrolyte shifts in malnourished patients.

Risks of Parenteral Nutrition

Infection: Catheter-related sepsis is serious.
Blood Clots: Thrombosis around the catheter.
Metabolic Complications: Glucose imbalances, liver issues.
Gastrointestinal Atrophy: Gut unused for long periods may weaken.

Conclusion: Navigating Complex Medical Care

Artificial nutrition is a life-sustaining treatment for those unable to eat normally. Understanding enteral vs. parenteral methods, devices, benefits, and risks is vital for informed decisions. While complex, these methods manage conditions once insurmountable, aiming for safe, effective support for healing and improved quality of life. For more on home management, resources like the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enteral nutrition delivers liquid food directly into the gastrointestinal tract using a feeding tube, while parenteral nutrition provides a nutrient solution directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous catheter.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a method of feeding that delivers a complete nutrient solution into a central vein to meet all of a person's nutritional needs when their digestive system cannot be used.

People who cannot eat or absorb enough nutrients orally due to medical conditions, such as severe neurological issues, GI diseases, certain cancers, or critical illness, may need artificial nutrition.

In many cases, a person on enteral nutrition may be encouraged to eat some food by mouth if it is safe for them to swallow, with the tube feeding supplementing their intake.

The biggest risks include infection (especially with parenteral nutrition), metabolic imbalances like refeeding syndrome, and mechanical issues with the feeding tube or IV catheter, such as clogging or dislodgement.

Artificial nutrition can be used for a temporary period until a person recovers, or it can be a long-term or permanent solution for those with chronic conditions or intestinal failure.

Yes, artificial nutrition is often considered a life-sustaining treatment, and decisions regarding its use, particularly at the end of life, involve important medical, ethical, and legal considerations.