For some senior citizens, unwanted weight loss can be a problem. According to Pharmacy and Therapeutics, involuntary weight loss is seen in 13 percent of ambulatory seniors living at home and up to 60 percent of senior citizens who reside in nursing homes. The reasons for involuntary weight loss include loss of interest in eating, swallowing disorders, poorly fitting dentures, dementia, infection, cancer or metabolic disease. There are some nutritional supplements available commercially to help gain or maintain body weight.
Ensure
Ensure, made by Abbott Laboratories, is a nutritional supplement that is available commercially as a premixed milkshake. According to the Ensure website, the milkshake supplement is available in flavors including Homemade Vanilla, Rich Dark Chocolate, Coffee Latte, Butter Pecan and Strawberries and Cream. There is a variety of products, including Ensure, Ensure Plus, Ensure Bone Health and Ensure Muscle Health. Each 8-ounce serving contains 250 calories, except for Ensure Plus and Ensure Clinical Strength, which contain 350 calories. Each bottle contains 9 to 13 grams of protein, along with carbohydrates, fats and 24 essential vitamins and minerals.
Boost
Boost is another brand of nutritional supplement and is made by Nestle Nutrition. Boost is available as a milkshake and as a high-protein powder, which can be mixed at home with milk. Boost drinks come in several flavors, including vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan. There is a variety of Boost drink products, including Boost, Boost Plus, Boost High Protein and Boost Glucose Control. Each Boost drink contains 240 to 350 calories, along with 10 to 15 grams of protein and 26 essential vitamins and minerals. One serving of Boost Powder contains 270 calories and 12.8 grams of protein when mixed with one cup of 2 percent milk. Those who are lactose-intolerant may not be able to use the powdered form of this supplement.
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Carnation Instant Breakfast, also made by Nestle Nutrition, is available as both a drink and as a powder which can be mixed with milk. Carnation Instant Breakfast comes in a variety of flavors, such as Rich Milk Chocolate, Classic French Vanilla and Strawberry Sensation. The powder is available in a variety package of different flavors, and both powders and drinks are available in sugarless forms. Each serving contains 220 to 250 calories, along with 5 to 14 grams of protein and 21 essentail vitamins and minerals. Carnation Instant Breakfast can be used as a meal or as a nutritional supplement between meals. Those who are lactose intolerant may not be able to tolerate this supplement.
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