Breath Analysis & Malnutrition

Research Summary: This research involves a cross-sectional study investigating whether breath molecules (in particular ammonia and nitric oxide) are related to the presence and magnitude of malnutrition as measured by the gold-standard nutrition focused physical examination (NFPE). It also involves an interventional study in a subset of cross-sectional participants looking at whether acute changes in nutritional status through anabolic feeding protocols or fasting protocols is related to short term changes in breath molecules. Purpose of the Research: The purpose is to identify early evidence of breath biomarkers of malnutrition. It uses a combination of breath analysis and current malnutrition screening tools (questionnaires).