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Supplements: A Helping Hand in Clinical Nutrition
February 14, 2025 McKin Health

Supplements: A Helping Hand in Clinical Nutrition

In clinical nutrition programs, the goal is to meet the nutritional needs of patients. It is important to preface that a proper diet with whole foods should always be the foundation for everyday nutritional needs. However, in a clinical setting, a regular diet may be challenging or unrealistic to the needs of patients. Let’s delve into how supplements can support your clinical nutrition programs and help improve patient outcomes. 

Why Are Supplements Crucial in Clinical Nutrition? 

Clinical nutrition programs cater to individuals who may struggle to meet their nutritional needs due to factors from illness, surgery, or specific medical conditions. Here are a few benefits to supplementation that help provide solutions to this problem: 

  • Addressing Deficiencies: Patients with malnutrition or deficiencies in critical nutrients like protein, vitamins, or minerals benefit from targeted supplementation. 

  • Improving Recovery: For post-surgical patients, high-protein supplements can accelerate wound healing and tissue repair. 

  • Convenience and Accessibility: Supplements are easy to administer, particularly for patients with difficulty chewing, swallowing, or digesting whole foods. High quality supplements also provide nutrition in concentrated amounts with high bioavailability which may assist in patients with ingestion difficulties and/or poor appetite.  

What Are Some Types of Supplements are in Clinical Nutrition? 

  1. Protein Supplements 
    Protein is essential for pre/post operative healing and muscle maintenance. Supplements like PUSH collagen powder provide protein tailored to a clinical context. Additionally, Liquid protein options like LiquaCel® Protein Supplement or PUSH® 20+ also offer a complete and easy-to-digest source of protein. Moreover, PUSH® 20+ provides key micronutrients that aid in post-op recovery. For more information on the differences between our protein supplement options, check out our blog here.  

  1. Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals 
    Micronutrients are key to day-to-day bodily functions but approximately 40% of Canadians are at risk of or suffer from micronutrient deficiencies as cited by Health Canada. Additionally, patients in clinical settings may be more susceptible to nutrient deficiencies and would benefit from increased intake of specific nutrients. As mentioned earlier, PUSH 20+ not only provides 20g of protein, but key micronutrients for optimal recovery including vitamin C, vitamin E, and Zinc.  

  1. Specialized Medical Nutrition 
    Supplementation is not just about nutrient content, but also accessibility and nutrient bioavailability. For example, for patients with dysphagia or other swallowing difficulties, products like Thick-It® Clear Advantage ensure safe and effective hydration. For ostomates looking to increase fibre intake, FiberCel provides fully soluble fibre that instantly dissolves in water without altering taste. This also make FiberCel ideal for feeding tube administration. Read more about FiberCel clinical applications here. 
     

Learn more about McKin Health’s range of trusted supplements here. 

 

When Are Supplements Recommended? 

  • Chronic Illness: For conditions like cancer, kidney disease, or GI disorders where nutrient absorption is compromised, and appetite may be reduced.  

  • Elderly Care: To combat malnutrition and muscle loss in older adults. 

  • Critical Care and Tube Feeding: Supplements are a lifeline for patients unable to consume traditional meals.

 

What are the best practices for implementing supplements? 

  • Assessment First: Always begin with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s needs and deficiencies. 

  • Choose Quality Products: Look for clinically tested supplements that align with your patient’s goals. 

  • Monitor and Adjust: Regularly track patient progress and modify the supplementation plan as needed. 

Supplements and Clinical Nutrition - The Bottom Line:

Supplements should never be a replacement for a balanced diet but should serve as an addition to clinical nutrition programs and a tool to solve specific clinical nutrition restrictions of patients. By incorporating high-quality supplementations into your clinical nutrition plan, you’re investing in comprehensive patient recovery and long-term health. 

For a wide selection of clinical nutrition supplements, visit McKin Health today. 

Filed in: Nutrition & Supplements
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