The development of lipid emulsion in parenteral nutrition

Lipid emulsion, as an energy donor in parenteral nutrition, has been developed in many different concepts over the past decades. Because of immunosuppressive effects, LCT emulsion has been replaced by MCT/LCT emulsion. Newer preparations based on structured triglycerides or olive oil appear to be safe and tolerated. Fish oil (n 3 fatty acids) containing lipid emulsion seems promising for hemodynamic stability in different organ systems of critically ill patients. A new type of emulsion made of a physical mixture of soybean LCT, MCT, olive oil and fish oil supplemented with vitamin E (SMOF) has been developed. This novel emulsion has been proven to be effective in a double blind randomized study.