Good nutrition is essential for good health. On occasions where food intake may be compromised (through illness, surgery, side effects of treatment etc) the process of recovery can be hampered by an inadequate intake of essential nutrients.

Indeed, it is well documented that patients suffering from conditions likely to affect either food intake or nutrient absorption may be at risk of malnutrition with associated medical consequences. Nutritional status may become worse if their illness is prolonged.

It is essential to understand the nutrient status of the patient through a process of screening to be able to identify those who are malnourished or who are at risk of becoming malnourished. The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition ( BAPEN) has developed a screening tool (the MUST tool) which is an effective way of identifying those at risk of malnutrition. (www.bapen.org.uk)

A range of products are available that provide essential nutrients and energy that can be used to supplement the food intake to improve the nutrition status of the patient and reduce the risk of malnutrition, These can be used as the sole source of nutrition or as supplements to increase the nutrient value of the diet.

Medical nutrition products are used by a variety of individuals including those with malabsorption (as a result of infections or as a side effect of chemotherapy), those with increased nutritional requirements (such as cancer patients) and those with loss of appetite (including elderly, unwell etc). 

The effects of malnutrition are well documented and include an increase in recovery times from illness or surgery, and a limiting of the immune response of the body increasing susceptibility to infection.