Abbott intros surgery-focused Ensure nutrition drinks
ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott on Wednesday announced the introduction of two new products to help people consume the proper nutrition as they prepare for and recover from surgery.
The Ensure Immunonutrition Shake is designed to be drunk in the week before and after surgery to provide such nutrients as arginine and omega-3 fatty acids EP and DHA, and is aimed at helping with immune health and recovery. It includes 18 g of protein and 4.2 grams of arginine.
Ensure Pre-Surgery Clear Nutrition Drink allows patients to consume a carbohydrate drink for up to two hours before surgery, which Abbott said can help reduce insulin resistance. It contains 50 g of carbohydrates and is low in osmolality to support pre-surgery gastric emptying, Abbott said.
"Preparing your body for surgery is similar to training for a marathon," Abbott scientist Christina Sherry said. "Just like you wouldn't fast before a big race, you want to prepare your body to have the strength and energy needed for a major procedure. Getting the right nutrition before and after surgery is an important part of the recipe to support healing and recovery."
The launches come as such organizations as the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society and the American College of Surgeons have created guidelines and protocols to help patients improve surgery recovery. Among these guidelines is the importance of nutrition. Abbott said that some hospitals and health systems, including Duke University Hospital, have seen improved outcomes as a result of implementing nutritional guidelines into pre- and post-operative care.
"Given the evidence we have today, all patients undergoing a major surgery in the U.S. should have a nutrition assessment and be given the proper nutrition that will help them recover," anesthesiologist and critical care specialist at Duke University Hospital Dr. Paul Wischmeyer said. "The medical community needs to come together and abandon the current practice of preoperative fasting after midnight, so we can help give our patients the best chances of success and get them back to enjoying their everyday activities."
Abbott also noted that Ensure Enlive could be used for 90 days after surgery to help rebuild muscle and regain strength and energy. Ensure Enlive, Ensure Immunonutrition Shake and Ensure Pre-Surgery Clear Nutrition Drink are available on Amazon.com and the Abbott store. Ensure Enlive also is available at major mass and grocery retailers nationwide.