Which supplement(s) is (are) used for malnutrition depends on the type of malnutrition.
Supplements are often a part of the treatment of undernutrition. While the main focus of treatment is improving nutrition through dietary interventions, increasing caloric and micronutrient intake can be difficult through diet alone. Supplements can make it easier to take in more calories, such as using meal replacement shakes to increase calorie intake. Taking oral supplements can help to treat specific vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as calcium, vitamin C, or vitamin B12. Zinc has also been shown to increase appetite rapidly in people with zinc deficiency and could be an option in people with malnutrition.[1][2][3] In more severe cases, malnutrition might be treated in a hospital and involve tube feeding, ongoing supplementation through an intravenous line, and regular monitoring of blood tests and body weight.[4][5]
In overweight and obesity, supplements are sometimes helpful as well. Using whey protein can help increase protein intake without adding a lot of extra calories. People with overweight or obesity can also have micronutrient deficiencies that can be replaced through vitamin and mineral supplementation. There are very few supplements that have a significant effect on weight loss. Weight-loss supplements often contain ephedrine, caffeine, and green tea extract. These may reduce appetite and assist with weight loss but can also have significant side effects, and weight-loss benefits tend to be small.[6][7][8] Weight-loss supplements are not usually part of the initial treatment for overnutrition.[9]
References
- ^Suzuki H, Asakawa A, Li JB, Tsai M, Amitani H, Ohinata K, Komai M, Inui AZinc as an appetite stimulator - the possible role of zinc in the progression of diseases such as cachexia and sarcopenia.Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric.(2011 Sep)
- ^Ohinata K, Takemoto M, Kawanago M, Fushimi S, Shirakawa H, Goto T, Asakawa A, Komai MOrally administered zinc increases food intake via vagal stimulation in rats.J Nutr.(2009 Mar)
- ^Chao HC, Chang YJ, Huang WLCut-off Serum Zinc Concentration Affecting the Appetite, Growth, and Nutrition Status of Undernourished Children Supplemented With Zinc.Nutr Clin Pract.(2018 Oct)
- ^Volkert D, Beck AM, Cederholm T, Cereda E, Cruz-Jentoft A, Goisser S, de Groot L, Großhauser F, Kiesswetter E, Norman K, Pourhassan M, Reinders I, Roberts HC, Rolland Y, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Thiem U, Visser M, Wijnhoven HAH, Wirth RManagement of Malnutrition in Older Patients-Current Approaches, Evidence and Open Questions.J Clin Med.(2019 Jul 4)
- ^Malnutrition Solution Center; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, cited 2024-Sept
- ^Boozer CN, Daly PA, Homel P, Solomon JL, Blanchard D, Nasser JA, Strauss R, Meredith THerbal ephedra/caffeine for weight loss: a 6-month randomized safety and efficacy trialInt J Obes Relat Metab Disord.(2002 May)
- ^Schubert MM, Irwin C, Seay RF, Clarke HE, Allegro D, Desbrow BCaffeine, coffee, and appetite control: a review.Int J Food Sci Nutr.(2017-Dec)
- ^Zhang Y, Tang N, Xia W, Sanjid Seraj S, Pereira M, Velu P, Zhou H, Yang H, Du GThe effect of green tea supplementation on the anthropometric outcomes in overweight and obese women: a time and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.(2023 Jun 10)
- ^Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar, Neda Nayebi, Bagher Larijani, Mohammad AbdollahiA systematic review of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of obesityWorld J Gastroenterol.(2009 Jul 7)