Joanna Cosgrove03.22.10
It’s estimated that malnutrition will affect one in six consumers globally by the year 2015. In addition, 50% of older adults eat less protein than is recommended, more than 55% do not meet calcium requirements, 90% are vitamin D deficient, and 30% have inadequate zinc, selenium and vitamin B12 intake. To that end, Nestlé Nutrition, headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, developed Resource SeniorActiv, a functional liquid beverage that targets the unique dietary deficiencies of the elderly.
The product is high in calories (1.5 kcal/ml) to help stop weight loss and promote weight gain. Resource SeniorActiv is formulated with Acti-3; a unique combination of protein (20g per serving), vitamin D 500 IU per serving) and calcium (to support muscle and bone strength and recovery). The coompany stated that the vitamin D and calcium (480 mg per serving) are provided in doses commensurate with amounts that have been clinically proven to reduce the risk of falls (-19%) and fractures (-20%), which are a leading cause of hospitalization for older people.
The product is sold in a four-pack of 200 ml bottles. The recommended dosage is 2 servings (2 x 200ml bottles) per day.
In short, the beverage formulated to not only improve the nutritional status of seniors but is also billed to help them regain strength and energy after an illness or surgery, as well as maintain functional abilities, by supporting physical strength and cognitive health.
Other important ingredients include Prebio1, a proprietary prebiotic fiber blend of FOS (fructooligosaccharide) and Inulin that helps promote digestive health. The beverage also provides omega 3 fatty acids and high amounts of B vitamins (folate, B12) to support cognitive health and antioxidants (e.g. zinc and selenium) to address the oxidative stress and chronic inflammation that are part of normal aging.
In Europe, Resource SeniorActiv is classified as a Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP). The beverage is available in three flavors: Creamy Vanilla, Caramel-Toffee and Strawberry-Biscuit.
According to Nestlé Nutrition’s Marie-Françoise Rütimeyer, Resource SeniorActiv will debut first in Switzerland, then in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden. A U.S. launch is not part of the plan at this time.
Two-Pronged Approach
In combination with the new beverage, Nestlé also developed a malnutrition screening tool called the Revised Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) that can help healthcare professionals assess the nutritional status of older persons in roughly four minutes, categorizing the older adult as malnourished, at risk of malnutrition or well nourished, thus helping to identify those who would benefit from nutrition intervention such as oral nutritional supplementation.
Despite the fact that up to 40% of hospitalized patients and 50% of hip fracture patients are malnourished, the issue of malnutrition in the elderly is not widely appreciated, the company said. Key signs and symptoms of poor nutritional status include the loss of muscle mass, weight loss and fatigue. In turn, the malnourished are more vulnerable to falls and fractures, recover more slowly from surgery and have an increased risk of influenza and pneumonia.
A medical event such as a fracture, infection or illness, in combination with poor nutritional status, accelerates the downward spiral toward dependence. Nestlé Nutrition cited the statistic that poor nutritional status is associated with a three times higher risk of infection and three-fold increase in length of hospitalization. “The consequences of poor nutritional status are not only detrimental to the individual patients but also to society since they increase the cost of care and social burden.
The need to screen the older population is clear,” the company stated.
Commenting on the twin track initiatives, Richard Laube, CEO Nestlé Nutrition, said, “These are concrete actions to tackle a substantial healthcare and social issue. The older population is growing faster than any other segment. Older people are generally vulnerable to malnutrition and can slip into a spiral of muscle and weight loss resulting in fatigue and loss of independence. Targeted nutrition can make a big difference and screening for malnutrition is vital to getting a grip on the issue as a whole.”
