Muscle loss that begins naturally around age 40 can accelerate with illness and injury, and even short hospitalizations can cause loss of muscle and strength in older individuals. Data show that people can lose up to two pounds of lean body mass (mostly made up of muscle) after just three days in the hospital.
To counter this, Abbott developed the Ensure Enlive product, which is called the “most scientifically-advanced product in the US Ensure lineup”.
The product is formulated with 20 grams of protein and HMB to help rebuild muscle; plant-based omega-3 ALA; three grams of prebiotic fiber to support the digestive health; 120% of the daily value of Vitamin D and 50% of the daily value of calcium to support strong bones; and antioxidants like vitamins C, E and selenium for immune function.
“Nutrition is the foundation of good health and has been proven to improve health outcomes. With the introduction of Ensure Enlive, we’re entering a new era of science-based nutrition that helps people recover, rebuild muscle, and have the strength and energy to do the things they love,” said Roger Bird, Abbott Senior Vice President, U.S. Nutrition.
“Since we first introduced Ensure more than 40 years ago, which created a new class of medical nutrition, it remains the number one doctor-recommended brand in the US. Abbott continues to pave the way forward by pairing the latest science with the right nutrition so people can live better at every stage of their lives.”
NOURISH
The product is supported by findings from the NOURISH clinical study, published earlier this year in Clinical Nutrition.
“The NOURISH study represents the largest randomized controlled trial to date evaluating the effects of adding a specialized nutrient-dense ONS therapy to standard of care on hospital readmission and mortality in an older population hospitalized for [congestive heart failure, heart attack, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease],” explained the researchers.
The multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involved 622 older, malnourished hospitalized adults. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either two daily servings of the Ensure Enlive product or two servings of a placebo supplement during their hospitalization and for 90 days after being discharged.
Results showed that, while there were no significant differences between the groups for re-admission rates, 90-day mortality was significantly lower with in the Ensure Enline group compared to placebo (4.8% vs. 9.7%).
In addition, people in the Ensure group had better nutritional status after 90 days, and an increase in body weight after 30 days, compared to placebo.
“This double-blind, [intention-to-treat], randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that a specialized, nutrient-dense [oral nutritional supplements] containing high protein and HMB did not alter the primary composite endpoint of hospital readmission rates and mortality in this specific population of malnourished, older adults hospitalized for CHF, AMI, PNA, or COPD,” wrote the researchers. “However, early administration (within 72 h of hospitalization) of [high protein]-HMB in addition to the current nutritional care was associated with decreased postdischarge mortality and improved nutritional status.
“Further analyses are required to understand the mechanism(s) leading to these observed effects.”
Source: Clinical Nutrition
Volume 35, Issue 1, Pages 18–26, doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2015.12.010
“Readmission and mortality in malnourished, older, hospitalized adults treated with a specialized oral nutritional supplement: A randomized clinical trial”
Authors: N.E. Deutz et al.