Abstract
Normal injury and disease-related human physiology and metabolism are integral to inflammation. However, disease- and trauma-induced inflammatory changes can affect normal fasting and postprandial metabolism, and somatic substrate mobilization independent of nutrient intake. Subtle inflammation associated with chronic conditions also affects long-term health outcomes. An international panel of experts arrived at a consensus for new definitions of malnutrition to accommodate the phenomenon of inflammation. This article provides an overview of the interface between inflammatory status and nutritional status, the proposed new definitions, and the implications the definitions have for clinical nutrition practice.