Supporting recovery
Salesplan period: P5B
After completing this module you will:
- Understand the role energy, protein, calcium and vitamin D play in the body
- Be aware of the alternative food sources protein can be found in.
When recovering from an illness or surgical procedure, customers may feel weak, tired and not their usual selves. Hip replacements, for example, are a common procedure in the UK – patients need three to five days in hospital after the operation and recovery can take six to 12 weeks.1 To speed recovery after a hip replacement, advice from the Royal College of Surgeons includes eating a healthy, balanced diet to ensure the body gets all the nutrients it needs.2 Good nutrition, particularly getting enough energy, protein, vitamin D and calcium, plays an integral role in maintaining a healthy body.
Protein3,4
All cells and tissues contain protein. It acts as an energy source and contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Healthy adults aged 60 years or over may lose muscle mass during 10 days of bed rest and this loss can accelerate during times of critical illness.5
The most common source of protein in the British diet is meat, but there are plenty of alternative sources, such as beans, lentils, fish and eggs. Customers eating a healthy, balanced diet should be able to meet their dietary protein needs.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed to help regulate calcium and phosphate in the body. This helps keep bones, teeth and muscle healthy. It is also thought that vitamin D plays a role in the body’s immune system.6
The main source of vitamin D is sunlight on the skin. From late March to early September, people should be able to get the right amount of vitamin D from sunlight. However, from October to early March, people do not get enough vitamin D from the sun and may choose to take a vitamin D supplement. If a customer is housebound – for example, due to recovering from surgery – they will not get enough sunlight to meet their vitamin D needs. These customers are advised to take a vitamin D supplement year-round. In adults, the recommended level of supplementation is 10 micrograms daily.7
Calcium
Calcium is important for helping build strong bones and teeth, regulating muscle contractions and helping blood to clot normally. Customers eating a healthy, balanced diet should be able to obtain the recommended calcium intake. Dairy products are the obvious food sources but others include green leafy vegetables, tofu, soya beans and nuts.
CaHMB
CaHMB (calcium beta-hydroxy betamethylbutyrate) is a nutritional supplement. HMB comes from leucine (an essential amino acid) and can be found in low levels in protein foods. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and leucine is also a regulator of protein synthesis. Its effects on muscle strength and recovery have been studied.
Ensure NutriVigor
Introducing Ensure NutriVigor, a delicious new nutritional shake specially formulated to support muscles and energy levels, which can be helpful during recovery from illness and periods of weakness.*
Ensure NutriVigor is the new addition to the Ensure brand: the number one oral nutritional supplement worldwide, sold in more than 85 countries.
This product is a powdered nutritional shake with a unique blend of protein, calcium, vitamin D and CaHMB.† It has been formulated to help build and maintain muscle mass and help combat fatigue. Customers may want to use this product during recovery from surgery or illness.
The shake is packed with protein, calcium and vitamin D, which are important to maintain muscle mass and function and maintain normal bones. It also contains vitamins B2, B6, B12, C, niacin and pantothenic acid, which are essential to reduce spells of tiredness and support energy release.
Available in chocolate and vanilla flavours.
Directions for use: Simply mix with water to create a tasty shake. To prepare one 230ml serving, pour approximately 195ml of cold water into a glass and gradually add six level scoops or 54g of Ensure NutriVigor. A scoop is included in the can for easy measurement. Stir or shake thoroughly to dissolve the powder.
* Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
† CaHMB = calcium beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate.
Date of preparation: November 2019. ANUKANI190382
