Ensure Plus, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, is a high-calorie, ready-to-drink bottled shake. It can replace a meal or be used as a between-meal supplement to promote weight gain for the malnourished or ill. It is vitamin and mineral fortified, protein rich, gluten free and suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance. Ensure Plus is enhanced with a type of health-promoting plant-based omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid. This product is portable, convenient, shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration.
Promotes Weight Gain
Many meal replacement, fortified bottled beverages are low in calories or calorie-controlled to promote weight loss, such as Slim-Fast. Yet there is a segment of the population, such as the elderly, frail and/or ill, who may need extra calories and nutrients to supplement their meals. Ensure Plus packs many calories into a limited volume, which is beneficial for those who must restrict fluids, such as individuals with impaired kidney function. An 8 fluid oz. bottle provides 350 calories -- like that of a small meal -- 13 g of protein, 50 g of carbohydrates, 22 g of sugars, 11 g of fat and 1 g of saturated fat, per Abbott Nutrition. When chilled, it is nectar-thick, which may be beneficial for those with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.
Provides Essential Nutrients
This fortified beverage comes in a variety of flavors -- more than most oral supplements. Flavors of Ensure Plus are Creamy Milk Chocolate, Butter Pecan, Strawberries & Cream, Homemade Vanilla, Coffee Latte and Rich Dark Chocolate. It is an excellent source of 24 essential vitamins and minerals. If you are unable to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement, have a compromised immune system and/or cannot obtain enough vitamins and minerals through food sources alone, Ensure Plus may be a beneficial addition to your diet. According to research published in "The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society" in November 2010, oral nutritional supplements, if used appropriately, improve energy and nutritional intake and offer clinical and functional benefits in certain patient groups, possibly helping to reduce in-hospital admissions, infections and mortality.
Contains ALA
One bottle of Ensure Plus provides 650 mg of alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. This amount meets approximately 40 percent of the recommended adequate intake level for this essential fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for reducing inflammation and may play a role in preventing the development of certain diseases, such as heart disease and arthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Because these essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain, they may be important for behavioral and cognitive function as well as normal growth and development.
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