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Why Nutrition Matters As We Age

Proper nutrition helps maintain muscle, bone health, energy, and independence. Without enough nutrients, malnutrition can develop, affecting strength, mobility, and quality of life.

Common challenges during ageing include:1,2

  • Loss of muscle and bone mass
  • Reduced appetite
  • Digestive challenges
  • Changes in taste and smell
  • Illness, medication, or reduced mobility
Fresubin explains that warning signs of malnutrition amongst older people includes unintentional weight loss over the past 3-6 months, weak muscles or reduced strength, feeling tired all the time, low mood or feeling down, and an increase in illness and infections

Watch Your Weight

Unintentional weight loss in older age is usually muscle loss, not fat loss.1 Maintaining muscle strength is essential for mobility and independence.

When meals aren't enough, small changes can help restore vitality:

  • Aim for small, frequent meals and snacks
  • Choose high-energy and high-protein foods
  • Include a source of protein with each meal (e.g. meat, tofu, dairy, eggs, beans or pulses)
  • Speak to a healthcare professional about oral nutritional supplements
Fresubin explains that people who are at a higher risk of malnutrition include older adults living alone or in a care home, those recovering from a stroke, people living with neurological conditions, those with problems chewing or swallowing, people suffering from a loss of appetite or a low appetite, and older adults with reduced mobility or immobility

What happens when nutrition needs aren't met?

Inadequate nutrition in older adults can lead to serious consequences: muscle loss (sarcopenia), increased frailty, weakened bones (osteoporosis), and digestive challenges. These risks increase further after illness, cancer, or surgery - when your body needs nutrition most.

Oral nutritional supplements helps address these challenges with additional protein to support muscle strength, calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and fibre options for digestive comfort.

The Fresubin Pro range addresses the challenges of inadequate nutrition in older adults. Includes Fresubin PRO Drink, Fresubin PRO FIBRE Drink, Fresubin PRO Compact Drink, Fresubin PRO Creme.

1. Ahmed T, Haboubi N. Assessment and management of nutrition in older people and its importance to health. Clin Interv Aging. 2010 Aug 9;5:207-16. 

2. Kirk B, et al. Osteosarcopenia: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment-facts and numbers. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2020 Jun;11(3):609-618.

3. Malnutrition – Symptoms - NHS