Proform for Wound Healing

As a Dietitian, it is often a challenging task trying to improve the nutrition status among elderly patients in institutionalised care. There are many disease states and physiological conditions that aect an elderly person’s nutritional status and ability to eat a nutritious diet. It is very important, therefore, to have Nutritional Supplements to assist in the delivery of nutrients.

The prevalence of malnutrition reaches signicant levels (15-60%) in elderly patients who are in hospital, who live in nursing homes, or who are in home care programs ( Rudman, Feller, 1989). Poor nutrition status is related to increased morbidity, and malnutrition is associated with slower healing, lowered immune response, increased rates of complication, and an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality (Morley, 1994).

Nutrition intervention has been shown to improve these outcome measures. Nutrition intervention can include nutrition counselling, review of dietary intake or supplementation with high protein/high energy drinks. Nutritional supplements (Such as Proform) signicantly increase nutrient delivery and allow weight gain in malnourished patients.

There are many disease states that require elevated protein, energy and nutrient needs. One example is patients with wounds. Wound healing can occur only in an anabolic state (adequate energy/calory intake) . The healing of a wound requires an increased energy/calory, protein and nutrient intake. The protein needs of wound patients are elevated because of losses through the wounds, increased use in energy production and wound healing. It is often very dicult to meet the nutritional needs of a patient with malnutrition, wounds, cancer or other disease states with food alone. This problem is increased if the patient suers from chewing or swallowing problems. and thus, the patient may be missing out on vital nutrients.

Often the use of concealed nutrients (such as Proform) is helpful because consuming large volumes of foods can be overwhelming to the patient.

Proform (vanilla or neutral) provides an excellent source of energy/calories, protein, and a range of vitamins and minerals such as Iron, Zinc, Vitamin E. Proform is easily consumed as a drink (vanilla) or mixed in with other foods. Vanilla Proform can be mixed into breakfast cereals, coee/tea, custard and other desserts - enriching the desserts with protein, energy and an excellent range of vitamins and minerals . Neutral Proform can easily be added to soups, sauces, casseroles and pureed vegetables without aecting the avour of the meal. Nicola Fox - Dietitian