The wide variety of supplements which are available can make the choice for an individual patient difficult. The first decision that needs to be made is whether or not the patient could manage to take enough orally, whether as foods, drink or modified foods. If the answer to this is 'no', they may require tube feeding and will need to be referred to their doctor or dietitian for more specialised treatment. All supplements, once opened, must be stored in a refrigerator to take supplements in between meals or after meals, so as not to ruin their appetites. They should not replace the usual diet, but should be taken in addition to meals.
Patients frequently ask questions about the supplements they are taking.
Each product will be labelled differently and will have slightly different indications and contraindications. Therefore the information given below should be treated as a broad outline only. If you are in any doubt, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Most nutritional supplements are gluten-free, eg Ensure Plus, Fortisip, Entera. Individual product labels or data sheets should always be consulted.