Nutrition is far more than just what’s on our plate; it plays a crucial role in treatment outcomes for numerous health conditions. Recently, the University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) has been honored with the title of “Center of Excellence in Nutritional Medicine,” a certification that highlights their dedication to high professional standards in the screening and treatment of nutrition-related diseases.
The certification from nutriZert GmbH acknowledges clinics and practices that meet the highest standards in recognizing and treating these conditions. According to Prof. Lars Selig, head of the nutrition team at UKL, “This certification allows us to showcase what we have been doing for many years.” Now, they can present themselves as providers of quality-assured nutritional medical care.
More than Just Nutritional Counseling
When people think of nutritional medicine, they often envision traditional diet counseling. However, the UKL’s nutrition team is actively involved throughout the hospital, a fact that even many colleagues may not realize.
As Lars Selig explains, various departments have narrow views: “Surgery thinks we only advise after gastric surgeries. Allergology assumes we only deal with allergies. Intensive care associates us solely with artificial nutrition.” In reality, the nutrition team encompasses a broad spectrum of medical conditions.
The team supports individuals with cancer, obesity, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and even rare congenital metabolic disorders. They also work with patients suffering from food allergies and intolerances, and they develop specialized nutritional plans for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Malnutrition is More Common Than Many Think
A key focus of the nutrition team is the early detection of malnutrition. UKL systematically examines all hospitalized patients for nutritional deficiencies. “Many hospitals claim they have no malnourished patients, but that’s only because they are not looking for them,” notes Lars Selig. “We know that about 20 to 25 percent of our inpatients are malnourished.”
It’s important to note that malnutrition does not solely afflict underweight individuals. “The classic image is that a malnourished person must be thin; that is simply not true,” explains the expert. Malnutrition can exist when there’s inadequate intake of essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Even a person with severe obesity can be malnourished, as can someone who has lost a significant amount of weight in a short time. This underscores the necessity of structured screening processes.
In particular, the nutritional state of cancer patients can significantly influence their disease progression. “Some cancer patients do not die from the disease itself but from the consequences of severe malnutrition,” emphasizes Lars Selig. “This is why nutrition must never be dismissed as a secondary matter; it needs to be regarded as a crucial component of overall therapy.”
A Quality Seal for Daily Practice
To attain the nutriZert certification, the University Hospital had to demonstrate that its nutrition team included qualified nutritional medicine experts and specialists, that standardized treatment pathways were reliably implemented, and that the team was available for at least seven hours a day on weekdays. UKL has met these criteria for many years.
Prof. Michael Stumvoll, head of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Endocrinology, Nephrology, and Rheumatology, expressed his satisfaction with the certification, stating, “This is an objective quality seal from external sources.” He added that, while nutritional medicine may not always be prioritized economically, it touches upon nearly all fields of medicine. “This has been recognized here at UKL, allowing us to work effectively.”
Looking Ahead
Starting in 2028, standardized screening for malnutrition in hospitals will be mandatory across the nation. UKL is already a pioneer in establishing these structures. “Implementing the initial steps is actually quite simple,” says Lars Selig. “Measuring height and weight costs almost nothing. Yet, systematic assessment is still lacking in many places, even though this information can be critical for treatment success.”
