Oral Nutritional Supplements in Older Adults – Improving Nutrient Intake Without Reducing Food Consumption

Malnutrition is common in older adults living in the community and is often associated with multiple nutrient deficiencies. This peer-reviewed randomised trial examines how ready-to-drink, low-volume, energy-dense oral nutritional supplements (ONS), when added to dietary advice, affect nutrient intake compared to dietary advice alone. Conducted in over 300 malnourished adults aged 50+, the study measured energy, macronutrient, vitamin, and mineral intakes over 12 weeks and benchmarked them against UK and European dietary reference values (DRVs). Findings show that ONS significantly increased total nutrient intake, with over 90% of the nutrients provided by ONS being additive rather than replacing food intake, more than halving the proportion of participants failing to meet DRVs, without reducing normal dietary consumption.

What You Will Learn from This Resource

This article offers robust, practice-oriented evidence to help you:

• Understand the extent of nutrient deficiencies in malnourished older adults living in the community

• Evaluate how ONS can boost total intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals while maintaining usual food consumption

• Identify which nutrients benefit most from supplementation (e.g., vitamins C, D, E, iron, zinc, selenium)

• Apply strategies to select ONS formats that are energy-dense, palatable, and well-tolerated for older adults

• Integrate ONS alongside dietary advice to reduce the risk of nutrient inadequacy and improve nutritional quality

View the Full Publication on DNC

Take a moment to explore the full publication directly on this page. It offers evidence-based recommendations, clinical tools, and practical guidance to strengthen your approach to nutritional care in older adults.