An open, randomized, 10-day study compared the efficacy of two liquid
diets in 74 postsurgical Indian patients. One group received a convent
ional liquid diet (CLD) prepared by the hospital dietitian; the other
group received the Recupex(R) Liquid Diet (RLD), which matched the rec
ommended daily allowances described in international literature. Both
diets provided the same amount of protein and calories. Patients' anth
ropometric parameters, nitrogen balance, and biochemical parameters we
re recorded at intervals during the study. RLD was superior to CLD on
all measured parameters. At the end of the study, prealbumin levels ha
d increased in both groups: 0.005 mg/dL in the CLD group and 0.010 mg/
dL in the RLD group (P<.05). All patients tolerated the liquid diets,
although 2 patients in each group had nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In this study, RLD was superior to CLD.