ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

What Is Undernutrition?

Undernutrition is commonly linked to a lack of calories, but it can also happen when someone eats enough calories but lacks essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). This condition is known as silent malnutrition. The longer undernutrition persists, the more severe its effects become. Undernourished adults may face weight loss, muscle wasting, or frailty.

What Causes Undernutrition?

Poor nutrition can result from a variety of factors at the individual level:

• Inadequate dietary intake. The body requires a minimum amount of calories, macronutrients and vitamins and minerals to function properly. Conditions such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), side-effects from medications or poor feed tolerance can make it difficult for individuals to meet their nutritional needs. While a person can can temporarily use nutrients stored in the body, inadequate intake for extended periods of time may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
• Poor nutrient absorption. A breakdown anywhere in the digestive process: from a lack of stomach acid to genetic abnormalities to an injury of the gut lining may lead to malabsorption of macro and micronutrients. Essential nutrients could go unabsorbed and instead pass into the stool, leaving the body undernourished.
• Increased nutrient needs. When a person's body is in a state of inflammation, such as after surgery or illness, they may have increased nutrient needs to support wound healing.
• Loss of nutrients due to illness or chronic disease. Illnesses or chronic diseases that cause frequent vomiting or diarrhea, or that affect metabolism, often lead to nutrient losses or misuse in the body. These conditions may include Crohn's disease, liver disease and cancer.

How to Support Optimal Intake, Absorption and Delivery of Nutrients?

Consider implementing the following food habits:

• Take small bites of food: If chewing isn’t a problem, chew thoroughly to ease the workload on your gastrointestinal system when breaking down food in the stomach.
• Eat a balanced diet: A diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good fats and high-quality protein can encourage beneficial bacteria to grow in the gut, which aids digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Consider an oral nutritional supplement: An oral nutritional supplement is helpful for maintaining weight, has high-quality protein to help maintain muscle, and vitamins and minerals to help fill nutritional gaps in the diet. They come in a variety of flavours, which may especially appeal to older adults whose taste wanes with age. Some varieties are also tailored for specific medical conditions that require different nutritional needs, such as diabetes.

To help ensure your body is receiving adequate nutrition:

Speak with a healthcare professional. An Accredited Practising Dietitian recommended by a GP, can be particularly beneficial in helping people to plan meals that fit their budgets and unique health needs. They can provide guidance on low-cost, nutrient-rich foods such as frozen or canned fruits, veggies, legumes, beans and eggs.

Manage stress. Stress hormones can negatively affect digestion and appetite, exacerbating poor nutrition. Identify ways to reduce stress throughout the day (e.g., going for a walk, doing yoga or meditating).

Seek medical treatment for underlying health conditions. Certain issues can affect an appetite or the body's ability to absorb and use nutrients. Some conditions are chronic or incurable but can be managed to optimise nutrition and quality of life.

If you or someone you know is experiencing undernutrition, these suggestions can help with getting back on track.

Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) can help people at risk of malnutrition or those whose physical condition makes consuming food by mouth difficult.

Ensure is a complete, balanced nutritional supplement range for adults (1).

The Ensure range of nutritional supplements is scientifically formulated to help support your strength, energy and immunity. Supported by over 45 clinical studies, Ensure is the #1 nutritional supplement drink in the world and is used by dietitians and healthcare professionals across Australia and New Zealand.

With high quality protein, as well as 28 essential vitamins and minerals to help support nutritional intake, most products in the Ensure range can be used with or between meals, or as a sole source of nutrition.*

Ensure is Food for Special Medical Purposes. Use only under medical supervision.

Content for this article was supplied by Abbott Australasia.
ANZ.2024.53932.ENS.1 (v1.0)

*Ensure Plus Strength is not a sole source of nutrition