The Best Supplements and Enteral Products for 2024
Somewhere over the course of your life, you may have heard the phrase “Four Pillars of Good Health.” These proverbial pillars are the yardsticks by which we measure how well we are doing in living a healthy life. There are numerous such sets of pillars that aim to help us succeed in every aspect of life.
Among the four pillars of good health, nutrition plays a significant role, and as we age, this role becomes even more important. Age brings about many challenges. Metabolism slows, and the body's ability to absorb and utilize nutrients can diminish. Calorie requirements may be reduced, but the need for specific nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin D often increases.
However, age-related health issues like appetite loss, dental problems and social isolation can make it difficult for older adults to consume a well-balanced diet, leading to nutrient deficiencies and an increased risk of malnutrition. This is where nutritional and enteral products may be used to supplement specific dietary deficiencies.
Nutritional products are divided into three main categories, each addressing a unique set of challenges. This, the third of our senior care product showcase articles, will discuss the featured products in each of these categories and the issues they may help address.
Nutritional Drinks and Meals
This is a broad category of formulations that target an equally broad range of personal nutritional needs or preferences. They usually come in liquid, powder or tablet form, and may be ready-to-consume or require mixing with water, milk or juice.
In general, they’re not intended to completely replace a solid-food diet but rather to complement it when someone struggles to consume enough calories or specific nutrients through their regular diet. They’re also useful for people with swallowing problems (dysphagia) or digestive disorders.
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Best Selling - Ensure Original Therapeutic Shake |
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Ensure Original Therapeutic Shake is a complete and balanced nutritional drink for people with malnutrition, at nutritional risk, or experiencing involuntary weight loss. Each bottle provides 220 calories, 9 grams of protein, 27 essential vitamins and minerals, 3 grams of dietary fiber and 320mg of plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It’s gluten-free, lactose-free, Kosher and Halal-certified. |
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Customer’s Choice - Nestle Boost Very High Calorie (VHC) |
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Nestlé Boost Very High Calorie (VHC) is a nutritional drink formulated for people who need to increase their calorie or protein intake. It’s packed with 530 calories and 22 grams of protein per serving. It also contains 26 essential vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants and other key nutrients. It’s ideal for people who have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight or those who need more energy due to illness or recovery. |
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Newest Addition - Nepro Shake with Carbsteady |
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Nepro Shake with Carbsteady®, is a formula specifically designed for people who are undergoing dialysis (stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease). It replaces essential nutrients that are stripped out by dialysis. The shake provides 420 calories and 19 grams of high-quality protein per serving and contains Carbsteady®, to help minimize blood sugar spikes. It’s fortified with 26 essential vitamins and minerals but low in phosphorus and potassium to help correct electrolyte imbalances caused by kidney disease. |
Enteral Products:
These are liquid formulas delivered directly into the stomach or small intestine through a feeding tube. They provide complete nutritional support, bypassing the digestive system. They’re used by people with severe swallowing difficulties or a complete inability to swallow (dysphagia), people with gastrointestinal conditions that prevent proper nutrient absorption or patients who are unconscious or require long-term nutritional support.
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Best Selling - Liquid Hope Oral Supplement / Tube Feeding Formula |
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Liquid Hope Original Formula is an organic, whole-food enteral formula and oral meal replacement designed for adults. Developed using the "food as medicine" model, it contains 19 certified organic, whole-food, plant-based ingredients, free from GMOs, added sugars, gluten, soy, corn, and dairy. It provides 450 calories per serving, along with essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. Suitable for most people with dietary restrictions, including gluten and lactose intolerance. |
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Customer’s Choice - Kate Farms Standard Formula 1.0 |
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Kate Farms Standard 1.0 is a complete, plant-based nutritional formula suitable for various needs. It can be used as a sole-source nutrition shake or as a supplement to regular meals. It contains 325 calories, 16 grams of organic pea protein and 27 essential vitamins and minerals per serving. With a low glycemic index and free of most common allergens, it’s suitable for people with sensitive stomachs or a variety of dietary restrictions. |
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Newest Addition - Kate Farms Renal Support 1.8 |
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Kate Farms Renal Support 1.8 is a plant-based formula specifically designed for individuals undergoing dialysis. The kidney-specific formula contains optimized levels of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus to help manage electrolyte balance. It provides 450 calories, 20 grams of easily digestible organic pea protein and 27 essential vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants per serving. It has a low glycemic index and is free of milk, eggs, soy, gluten, and nuts. |
Thickeners and Thickened Drinks
Thickeners are food additives that increase the viscosity of liquids and foods, making them easier to swallow and manage for individuals with dysphagia. They’re used for thickening liquids like water, juices, or soups to prevent aspiration (inhalation) during swallowing or modifying the consistency of pureed foods to create a texture suitable for swallowing. Thickened drinks have been manufactured with a suitable consistency and are ready to use.
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Best Seller - Hormel Thick & Easy Purees, Roasted Turkey |
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Hormel Thick & Easy Purees offers a nutritious solution for people with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) who require a thickened diet. They would also be a great supplement for people who have difficulty chewing and don’t get enough nutrition from their regular diet. They provide a complete, balanced meal with 250 to 280 calories and 13g to 14g of protein in a smooth, easy-to-manage consistency. They’re available in IDDSI Level 3 and Level 4 for different levels of swallowing difficulty. |
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Customer’s Choice - Nestle Resource Thickenup Instant Food Thickener |
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Nestlé Resource ThickenUp Instant Food Thickener is a clinically proven solution for people who suffer with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) and require thickened foods and beverages. It reduces the risk of aspiration (accidental passage of food or liquid into the lungs) or choking. Instantly thickens hot or cold foods and beverages without lumps or changing the taste or appearance. Thickenup contains 15 calories per serving and is gluten-free, lactose-free, and low-residue. |
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Newest Addition – Hormel Vital Cuisine 500 Shake |
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Hormel Vital Cuisine 500 Shake is a creamy, nutritional beverage designed to support people with increased calorie and protein requirements due to dietary challenges, illness or post-surgery recovery. It’s packed with 520 calories, 22 grams of protein and 50% of the Recommended Daily Value of Calcium per serving. With a Level 2 IDDSI consistency, it’s also great for individuals with mild dysphagia. |
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our selection of the best nutritional products for 2024, and we hope also, that this information will make it easier for you to choose the most suitable products for your specific needs. In any event, at LL Medico, we’re always ready to discuss your options. Call us at (855) 422-4556 or email [email protected] .
