Final answer:
Elemental formulations are designed for patients with digestive issues and typically include amino acids and easily absorbed forms of fats. They exclude complex proteins like cow-based proteins, focusing on essentials like amino acids, and may include dipeptides and tripeptides for easier absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elemental formulations are specialized nutritional solutions designed for individuals with digestive impairments that limit their ability to digest and absorb nutrients from regular food. These formulations typically contain amino acids, which are the simplest forms of protein and can be absorbed directly into the body without the need for further digestion. They are used because patients on elemental diets often cannot tolerate complex proteins which would otherwise require more digestion. Elemental formulations may also include fats that are often provided in forms that are easier to absorb, such as medium-chain triglycerides.
An elemental diet does not include cow-based proteins or whole proteins because they require more digestion, which patients on elemental diets may be unable to accomplish efficiently. Instead of whole proteins, elemental diets focus on providing the essential and nonessential amino acids directly. These amino acids are crucial as they are the building blocks of new proteins that the body needs for various functions. Dipeptides and tripeptides, which are small chains of two and three amino acids respectively, may also be included in elemental formulations, as they are relatively simple and can be directly absorbed by the body.