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Liquid Food and Its Benefits for the Sick

Complete and balanced nutrition can support the performance of every organ in our body. Nutrition also plays an important role as an energy source in building and maintaining the body's immune system. In people who are sick or the elderly, it is often found that there are conditions of difficulty eating, so we need another alternative as an additional nutrient, for example from providing liquid food.

For that, let's recognize the benefits of liquid food so that their nutrients can be fulfilled optimally.

Liquid food as a nutritional enhancer for the sick and elderly

Liquid food is one of the methods that can be chosen to provide nutrition for patients, such as stroke patients and cancer patients 2. Generally, they have difficulty swallowing solid food, this is caused by a nervous system that cannot work normally 3. Meanwhile, cancer patients often experience loss of appetite which is a result of the chemo-radiotherapy treatment that they undergo 8.

If conditions are difficult to eat is not treated immediately, can have an impact on the risk of malnutrition, because nutrients in the body are not optimally fulfilled. This can result in increased weakness, infections, and complications, as well as a longer healing process due to nutritional deficiencies 9,10.

Loss of appetite is also often experienced by the elderly, due to difficulty in chewing accompanied by a deteriorating body health condition 4. In the elderly, these nutrients are equally important to support the performance of their organs to keep functioning properly.

Actually, nutrition is easily obtained from healthy foods, such as a variety of vegetables and fruit, milk, chicken or beef, fish, and others.

However, it is different from the condition of healthy people who can easily consume all types of solid food. The condition of patients who are sick and elderly need to be considered because the condition is quite difficult to process solid food.

Recommendations for liquid food

Therefore, to optimize the absorption of complete and balanced nutrition, liquid feeding is currently recommended. This liquid food product is available on the market and is very easy to find.

Liquid food is useful to help meet lost nutrients and increase calories in the body as a substitute for solid food.

Calories and various nutritional supplements in it can provide energy supply to optimize the function of body organs, thus supporting patients and the elderly in physical activity properly. Without enough calories, the body will not have enough energy to carry out its organ functions.

A variety of liquid food products aimed at the sick and also the elderly are designed to be practically ready to drink with good taste, such as vanilla and tropical fruit, making it easier for patients and the elderly to consume them. That way, complete and balanced nutrition can enter their bodies.

Difference between liquid food and milk

The fulfillment of nutrients obtained from liquid foods is different from milk. Liquid food is formulated with specific ingredients for people with certain disease conditions as well as the elderly.

Milk in general contains high protein, fat, carbohydrates, various vitamins, and minerals. Milk has good benefits for the body as a whole. But usually, dairy products focus on improving bone health by promoting the benefits of calcium 5.

Unlike milk, liquid foods are usually enriched with various specific and specific nutrients needed, such as the content of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid ) which is omega-3 from fish oil, and some are equipped with 14 vitamins and 15 minerals. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are often used to increase body mass and as an anti-inflammatory in cancer patients. Consumption of EPA in liquid foods can be an alternative to increase appetite so that it helps maintain patient body weight.

In addition, according to the journal Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, EPA as an omega-3 fatty acid also has immunomodulatory properties, namely improving the body's immune system by counteracting the pathogens that cause infection 6. That way, consumption of liquid foods that contain EPA in the sick and the elderly can maintain their immune system.

In providing liquid food, it is better to choose products that do not contain lactose. Because some people may have allergies or lactose intolerance. So that liquid food can be received by the body optimally, without causing allergic reactions.

Liquid food is different from mashed solid food

Now you already know the differences in the content and benefits of milk and liquid food. Also, be aware that the definition of liquid food is not the same as solid food that is mashed or blended. Solidified food can help patients with certain conditions and the elderly in providing intake into their bodies.

For patients who are unconscious or have certain disease conditions so they cannot eat by mouth, feeding NGT ( Nasogastric Tube ) or Sonde 11 can be given to ensure the fulfillment of calories and protein while the digestive system is still functioning.

However, the provision of refined solid foods that also has various shortcomings. For example, a variety of foods are needed for optimal nutritional fulfillment and the possibility of an NGT tube blockage. In addition, shortcomings also include the high volume of gifts needed to meet energy needs.

Another method that can be done is to replace solidified solid food with liquid food that is ready for consumption.

Liquid food products available on the market have been adjusted and fortified with complete and balanced nutrition to meet the daily nutritional needs of the sick and the elderly. This liquid food can be an excellent alternative to prevent malnutrition and avoid blockage of NGT.

For the fulfillment of optimal nutrition in the body, you can read the rules for using liquid food products that will be consumed. Then you can consult a doctor. May you and your family always be in good health!

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