To help older adults live their healthiest lives possible, Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, developed Ensure Enlive to help rebuild lost muscle and regain strength and energy. Ensure Enlive is a complete and balanced nutrition drink with 20 grams of high-quality protein and the ingredient HMB (β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate). 
 
“Nutrition is the foundation of good health and has been proven to improve health outcomes. With the introduction of Ensure Enlive, we’re entering a new era of science-based nutrition that helps people recover, rebuild muscle, and have the strength and energy to do the things they love,” said Roger Bird, Abbott senior vice president, U.S. nutrition.
 
One of the main culprits for losing muscle mass may be surprising as it is a condition often thought of as a distant issue: malnutrition. Malnutrition is when the body doesn’t get the proper nutrients to meet its daily needs. It can occur at any age, but is common in older adults. In fact, up to half of seniors who enter the hospital are at risk of malnutrition or already malnourished, and many don’t know it.

“We often hear about bone health and how our diet impacts it as we get older but when it comes to our muscles, people often write it off as a sign of getting older,” said Abby Sauer, MPH, RD, a registered dietitian at Abbott. “Getting the right amount of nutrients—especially protein and vitamin D— can help nourish your muscles for good health and support recovery from illness or surgery.”
 
Abbott scientists considered how people change with age—from eating habits or the way foods taste to the chronic conditions they may be facing— to design a nutrition drink with ingredients that work together to help rebuild strength, energy and vitality. One of the unique ingredients in Ensure Enlive, HMB, is found in small amounts in some foods and has been used for many years by the fitness community. HMB works with protein to help protect and preserve muscles.
 
Ensure Enlive provides 20 grams of high-quality protein and HMB to help rebuild muscle;plant-based omega-3 ALA for heart health;three grams of prebiotic fiber to support the digestive tract;120% of the daily value of vitamin D and 50% of the daily value of calcium to support strong bones; and antioxidants like vitamins C, E and selenium to support immune function.Ensure Enlive is available in Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry flavors.
 
Ensure Enlive was shown to significantly improve health outcomes, according to Abbott. A clinical study, NOURISH, showed that the group of older malnourished adults in the hospital who consumed this nutrition drink twice a day had significantly improved nutritional status, body weight and vitamin D levels compared to a placebo supplement from hospital discharge through 90 days.