Enlyte: Proper Use and Clinical Application
Enlyte is a medical food/prescription supplement containing L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin (B12), and pyridoxal-5-phosphate (B6), primarily indicated for nutritional management of conditions associated with folate deficiency or impaired folate metabolism, though no specific guideline evidence addresses this product directly.
Critical Context
The provided evidence focuses exclusively on enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) in hospitalized patients with kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, critical illness, and chronic intestinal failure 1. None of this evidence addresses Enlyte or similar oral vitamin/folate supplements used in outpatient settings.
What the Evidence Does NOT Support
The guidelines provided discuss:
- Enteral feeding formulas for hospitalized patients with renal failure, requiring disease-specific formulas with reduced electrolytes 1
- Nutritional support timing in critically ill patients, recommending early EN within 48 hours 1
- Protein and energy requirements in kidney disease (0.55-0.60 g/kg/day protein for CKD) 1
- Contraindications to enteral feeding including ileus, intestinal obstruction, and severe shock 1, 2
Evidence on Supplements NOT Applicable to Enlyte
- Omega-3 fatty acids are NOT recommended for IBS or inflammatory conditions 3
- Glutamine supplementation is NOT recommended in critically ill patients with kidney disease 1
- Probiotics have limited evidence for intestinal rehabilitation 1
Clinical Pitfall
The question asks about "Enlyte" but the evidence base provided addresses hospital-based enteral/parenteral nutrition, not outpatient oral vitamin supplementation. These are fundamentally different interventions for different patient populations and clinical contexts.
General Medical Knowledge Application
Enlyte-type products (L-methylfolate combinations) are typically used for:
- Depression with MTHFR polymorphisms affecting folate metabolism
- Hyperhomocysteinemia management
- Nutritional support in patients on medications affecting folate metabolism (methotrexate, antiepileptics)
Standard dosing follows manufacturer recommendations, typically one capsule daily, as no guideline-level evidence exists for this specific medical food product.