A new study shows that nutrition intervention can lessen the risk of malnutrition among the elderly by almost three-fold and promote better physical function and health condition.
The New Phase Two SHIELD study by Changi General Hospital (CGH), SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP), and Abbott that was recently published in Clinical Nutrition analyzed the effects of taking oral nutritional supplements along with individualized dietary counseling to improve health outcomes of older adults living in the community who are at risk of malnutrition.
The research engaged 811 participants, aged 65 and up. When compared to the control group who got individualized dietary counseling and a placebo supplement over six months, 405 participants who received individualized dietary counseling and consumed two servings of a specialized oral nutritional supplement containing beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-butyrate (HMB) each day showed positive results.
These include enhancements in total health outcomes sans hospital admission or readmission, with at least 5-percent weight gain; three times lower risk of malnutrition; improved vitamin D status; enhanced physical function, specifically increased leg strength, and improved handgrip strength.
“The findings of this study highlight the importance of early intervention, even for older adults living independently in the community,” Agnes Tey, SHIELD lead author and senior clinical scientist at Abbott, told reporters during their recent webinar. “Assessing the nutritional status of the older persons in primary care is pivotal to their muscle health, making a big difference in their quality of life at the end of the day.”
Malnutrition’s health implications
Based on statistics, malnutrition affects a third of older adults, a population that is seen growing rapidly in Asia. In the Philippines, it is prevalent with more than four out of 10 older adults being at risk of malnutrition.
This condition happens when the body does not get the needed nutrients and affects both underweight and overweight individuals. It often goes undiagnosed, as it is not assessed regularly during visits to the doctor.
A year increase in age after 65 is associated with 13 percent higher odds of having low muscle mass, even in older adults with normal nutritional status. Given this, older adults require up to 30 percent more protein in their diet to maintain the same muscle mass as a young person in their 20s. This must be complemented by a regular exercise.
Low muscle mass is also linked to other adverse health outcomes and slower recovery rates in older adults. Additional studies reveal that the loss of muscle mass may result to weaker immunity, making the elderly more susceptible to infectious diseases. If left unchecked, immunity becomes compromised when an older adult sheds over 10 percent of lean body mass.
With age, the body’s immune system naturally declines. So, building up muscle mass through diet, nutritional intervention, and exercise can help older adults retain their mobility, strength, energy levels, and independence as they age.
“Given the Philippines’s aging population especially amid this pandemic, and the results from this SHIELD study, it is important to work to reverse the effects of malnutrition by developing interventions so that older Filipinos can continue to strengthen their immunity, and live healthy and active lives at home and in the community,” said Philippine Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology President Dr. Sandy Dumlao.
Nutrition is very important for people to live well, particularly for older adults to maintain their strength and support their immune system, prevent disease and help in their immediate recovery from illness.
“That’s why Abbott has been researching the impact of nutrition in adults for more than 45 years. The latest clinical research on aging confirms that with specialized oral nutritional supplements containing HMB together with dietary guidance, older adults—even those at risk of malnutrition—can improve their nutritional status, mobility and strength, and help them lead fuller lives with improved immunity, into their golden years,” noted Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., medical director for nutrition for Asia Pacific at Abbott.