2-3 Randomization and Blinding
The study group’s randomization was carried out by the first author based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were stratified upon randomization based on their age (18-65 years), gender, and disease severity based on the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score in order to ensure the equal distribution of these variables in both groups. Due to the difference in the colours of the intervention and traditional formulas in this study, the physician and nurses could not be blinded regarding patient allocation. In contrast, the patients and outcome evaluators were blinded, and the investigator was not directly involved in the intervention process and patients’ care. Laboratory personnel, pathologists, and statisticians also were blinded to the treatment allocation.