A nasogastric formulation comprises an amino acid source, a carbohydrate source a lipid source and a fatty acid delivery agent. The fatty acid delivery agent has a bond hydrolysable in the colon to thereby deliver free fatty acids. Enteral formulations sufficient for delivery to the colon of significant amounts of the short chain fatty acid acetate can be made without having an adverse affect on the capacity to pass through a tube for tube feeding. It is found that there is rapid release of acetate in experimental animals fed by gavage.