title: Effect of nutritional supplements on immune function and body weight in malnourished adults.
abstract: In the United States, approximately 5% of the population is malnourished or has low body weight, which can adversely affect immune function. Malnutrition is more prevalent in older adults and is often a result of energy imbalance from various causes. Dietary supplementation to promote positive energy balance can reverse malnutrition, but has not been assessed for its effect on immune parameters. This 8-week clinical feeding trial evaluated the effect of a commercially available, high-protein, high-energy formula on body weight and immune parameters in 30 adult volunteers with body-mass indices (BMI) <21 kg/m(2). After the intervention, participants gained a mean of 3.74 lbs and increased BMI by 0.58 kg/m(2). The intervention improved lean body mass and limited body fat accumulation. However, no clinically significant improvements in immune measures were observed. These results support the use of high-protein, high-energy supplements in the treatment of underweight/malnutrition. Further investigation utilizing feeding studies of longer duration, and/or studying severely malnourished individuals may be needed to detect an effect on immune parameters of weight gain promoted by nutritional supplements.
authors: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society.
authors: Lawrence J
authors: LJ
authors: Cheskin
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Margolick
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Kahan
authors: Andrea H
authors: AH
authors: Mitola
authors: Kavita H
authors: KH
authors: Poddar
authors: Tricia
authors: T
authors: Nilles
authors: Sanjivani
authors: S
authors: Kolge
authors: Frederick
authors: F
authors: Menendez
authors: Michelande
authors: M
authors: Ridoré
authors: Shing-Jung
authors: SJ
authors: Wang
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Chou
authors: Eve
authors: E
authors: Carlson
keywords: body-mass index; immune function; malnutrition; nutritional supplements
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