The Role of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Patient Care

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are widely used to help patients meet their nutritional needs when dietary intake alone is insufficient. They can provide additional energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support patients affected by malnutrition, poor appetite, chronic illness, cancer, growth concerns, or treatment-related nutritional challenges. In clinical practice, ONS may help improve nutritional intake, support growth and recovery, maintain muscle mass and body weight, and contribute to better overall clinical outcomes. The following educational resources highlight evidence supporting the use of ONS in both paediatric and adult patient populations, including their effects on growth, compliance, nutritional intake, and healthcare outcomes.

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Providing adequate nutritional intake in children with faltering growth can be particularly challenging when appetite, feeding tolerance, or volume intake are limited. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the use of an energy-dense, low-volume paediatric oral nutritional supplement compared with a standard paediatric ONS in children requiring nutritional support. The study demonstrated significant improvements in total energy and protein intake, higher patient compliance, improved appetite, and measurable catch-up growth within just four weeks. Children receiving the compact-style ONS experienced greater weight and height gain while maintaining good tolerance across a range of underlying conditions.

>> EXPLORE THE STUDY TO LEARN HOW ENERGY-DENSE PAEDIATRIC ONS CAN SUPPORT IMPROVED NUTRITIONAL INTAKE, GROWTH, AND ADHERENCE IN CHILDREN REQUIRING NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT.

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Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer and can negatively impact treatment tolerance, recovery, complications, and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the clinical impact of high-protein oral nutritional supplements (HPONS) in oncology patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy across both hospital and community settings. The analysis demonstrated that HPONS use was associated with significant reductions in complications and shorter hospital stays, while also improving energy and protein intake in many studies. The review further highlights the importance of protein-rich nutritional support in helping patients maintain nutritional status, muscle mass, and overall resilience during cancer treatment.

>> READ THE ARTICLE FOR INSIGHTS ON HIGH-PROTEIN ORAL NUTRITION AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN CANCER CARE.

Meeting nutritional requirements during illness or recovery can be difficult for many patients, particularly when reduced appetite, fatigue, or disease-related symptoms affect oral intake. This educational resource explores the broader clinical value of oral nutritional supplements in supporting patients at nutritional risk, including their role in improving dietary intake, supporting recovery, and helping reduce the consequences of malnutrition. The resource also highlights the importance of selecting appropriate formulations based on individual patient needs, including protein and energy requirements, tolerance, and treatment goals.

>> DISCOVER PRACTICAL INSIGHTS INTO HOW ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS CAN SUPPORT NUTRITIONAL CARE AND RECOVERY ACROSS DIFFERENT PATIENT POPULATIONS.