Health and Disability

Researchers compared the effects of a specialized nutrition supplement with high protein (20 grams), HMB* (a muscle-preserving ingredient) and Vitamin D to a placebo supplement on rates of readmissions or death 90-days after leaving the hospital.

Results showed no significant differences between the two groups for the primary composite (i.e. combined) endpoint of hospital readmissions or death. However, the study individual components and additional analyses showed:

• A significantly lower (50 percent) death rate for those patients who received the specialized nutrition supplement. This lower incidence of death began at 30 days and continued for 90 days after participants left the hospital.
• Similar rates of hospital readmissions between the two groups.
• Improvements in other health outcomes including body weight, nutritional status and Vitamin D levels at 30 and 60 days after leaving the hospital, and continued body weight and nutritional status improvements at 90 days for the group taking the specialized nutrition supplement.