Researchers at Texas A&M University and other institutions carried out a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which was supported by Abbott, and demonstrated that a special oral nutrition supplement with high protein, β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate, and vitamin D is highly effective in reducing risk of death in hospitalized elderly people.
Included in the trial were 652 malnourished adults aged 65 or older who suffered heart disease or lung disease and were admitted to the hospital for treatment/recovery from the diseases and or their complications. The study participants were assigned to use the supplement twice a day starting within 72 hours of admission.
The trial indicates that patients who were assigned to use the special nutrition supplement were 50% less likely to die 90 days after they were released from the hospital. The improvement of other health outcomes like body weight, nutritional status and vitamin D levels was significant at 30 and 60 days after patients left the hospital, and body weight and nutritional status improvements in study patients remained evident at 90 days.
However, the special nutrition supplement did not make any difference in the rate of re-admission in both the study and control groups.
The special nutrition supplement was designed to treat malnutrition and help strengthen muscle in malnourished patients and those with health issues like heart attack or lung disease such as pneumonia. Health conditions like heart disease and lung disease and malnutrition status, which is found in up to 50% of hospitalized older patients, tend to accelerate the loss of muscle, strength and energy which in turn can worse the outcome of hospitalization.
A commercial version of the special nutrition supplement is available in Europe and it is called Ensure® Plus Advance in Europe. Soon in the United States, a similar version called Ensure® Enlive® in the United States will be available for consumers. (David Liu)
