The study and its comparison
NOURISH randomized 652 malnourished hospitalized adults aged at least 65 to standard care plus a high-protein HMB-containing oral formula or placebo supplement. Selected cardiac or respiratory admissions were included. [1]
At ninety days after discharge, the primary composite and readmission rates did not significantly differ. Mortality was 4.8 percent versus 9.7 percent, a favorable secondary result; nutritional status also improved. [1]
What the finding establishes
This was a multinutrient intervention, so its effects cannot be assigned to HMB alone or another product such as Juven. Authors included Abbott Nutrition employees; complete funding and conflicts were not established from the abstract. The selected hospitalized population differs from healthy gym users. [1]
A hypothetical distinction
Imagine a formula includes protein, energy and HMB. The trial cannot identify which component caused a difference.
| Detail | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Measured outcome | Keep the endpoint specific |
| Study preparation | Not every retail product |
| Remaining uncertainty | Not resolved by a mechanism |
Sources for this article
- Readmission and mortality in malnourished, older, hospitalized adults treated with a specialized oral nutritional supplement: A randomized clinical trial.
Source consulted: 2026-09-19. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.