The toxic impact of parenteral solutions on the metabolism of cells: a hypothesis for physiological parenteral therapy.

The prescribing of parenteral fluids has become so routine that most physicians have become oblivious to the toxic impact of current practices on the cellular metabolism of their patients. Few physicians recognize the iatrogenic threat of replacement of body fluids based solely on concepts of volumetric and caloric need. Understanding the metabolic and ionic organization of cells can provide the physician means to use parenteral fluids to control the inherent metabolic energy of cells. Application of new insight into physical chemistry and metabolic properties of the cell can enhance the physician's therapy of the critically ill patient.