Diasip and Diabetes – When You Should Not Use Diasip?

Here we look into Diasip and Diabetes. Is Diasip good for diabetics? When should you consider Diasip and When You Should Not Use Diasip? Many more questions related to Diasip and diabetes will be covered here.

Let’s start rolling…

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) – such as Diasip, are now widely consumed by individuals in Europe and several other regions, especially by those with chronic diseases such as diabetes.

In the past decade, the global prevalence of diabetes has drastically increased to over 420 million people, with about 1.5 million diabetes-related deaths recorded each year. So, it’s definitely a serious problem most of us dealing with it at a very personal level!

Seniors suffering from diabetes and their caretakers often have to worry about many issues concerning their medical condition.

The essential priorities often include;

• Maintaining a healthy diet generally low in glycaemic index,
• Blood sugar control,
• Avoiding after-meal blood sugar spikes,
• Preventing or regulating high blood pressure, and finally
• Treating disease-associated malnutrition (e.g. with the help of Resource Senior Activ or Nutricia Fortisip Compact Protein).

Since the development of Diasip by Nutricia, the product gradually made its way into the market and continually gained fame. Users (mostly type 2 diabetics) claim that Diasip greatly improved their deteriorating condition almost immediately. Several research studies also back up this claim, as you will soon find out in this article. However, the story is not that simple, and there are things to watch for if you consider Diasip in your life…

This is a product review of Diasip, a nutritional formula made by Nutricia for people with diabetes. Like you, many people are curious, wondering if there are side effects and actual benefits to the use of this nutritional supplement.

Read on to find all you need to know about Diasip…

Let’s start with identifying Nutricia Diasip… What really is it?

What is Nutricia Diasip?

Diasip is a ready-to-drink, energy-dense and nutritionally complete drink, placed in a small 200ml bottle. It is specially designed to support the dietary management of patients who have diabetes as well as disease-related malnutrition.

And if you’re curious, it tastes like a milkshake! You can drink Diasip alone (best served chilled), or use it to prepare a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner.

It contains an ideal ratio of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, from ingredients including cow’s milk protein, soy, fish oil and so on.

Diasip is an oral nutritional supplement (ONS) produced by Nutrica, a leading manufacturer of medical nutrition for every kind of patient at various stages in life.

Features of Diasip

• The unique blend of carbohydrates (with a low glycaemic index of 36)

Diasip contains slow-to-digest starch and isomaltose, which helps to improve after-meal glucose response.

• Ideal macronutrient ratio

It provides a better glycaemic control in accordance with international diabetes and chronic disease guidelines.

• Suitable as a sole source of nutrition

It can be used to supplement the diet, or as the only source of nutrition in accordance with the Australia New Zealand Standards Code – Standard 2.9.5.

• High energy (208kcal) and protein (9.8g/200ml)

It contains adequate macronutrients, 28 vitamins and minerals, for patients with high energy and protein requirements, or patients recovering from malnourishment or illness.

• Rich in fibre (5g/bottle)

It supports better glucose metabolism.

• Suitable for enteral or oral use

Diasip can be used either for oral intake, or consumption via an enteral feeding tube.

• Ergonomic and user-friendly bottle

The 200ml plastic bottle is easy to open with a resealable cap.

• 3 awesome flavours

For variety, Diasip comes in 3 main flavours, including cappuccino, vanilla and strawberry.

• Gluten-free and Halal certified

Nutritional Content of Diasip

200ml of vanilla flavoured Diasip contains the following nutrition.

Nutrition	Amount	Value
Energy	208	Kcal
Protein of which	9.8	g
Soy	5	g
Whey	4.8	g
Carbohydrate of which	23	g
Sugars	16.8	g
As Lactose	7	g
Fat	7.6	g
Fibre	5	g
Water	166	g
Vitamins
Vitamin C	30	mg
Vitamin A	158	µg-RE
Vitamin D	2.6	µg
Vitamin K	11	µg
Vitamin E	5.0	mg α-TE
Vitamin B6	0.6	mg
Vitamin B12	1.2	µg
Biotin	12.8	µg
Folic acid	76	µg
Pantothenic acid	1.8	mg
Thiamin	0.8	mg
Niacin	0.4	mg NE
Riboflavin	0.6	mg
Minerals
Sodium	100	mg
Calcium	107	mg
Potassium	200	mg
Chloride	86	mg
Phosphorus	99.2	mg
Magnesium	44.4	mg
Iron	3.4	mg
Iodine	32	µg
Copper	0.4	µg
Zinc	2.6	mg
Manganese	0.66	mg
Molybdenum	20	µg
Chromium	24	µg
Selenium	15.0	µg
Fluoride	0.2	mg
Other elements
Carotenoids	0.4	mg
Choline	100	mg
Osmolality	440	mOsmol/kgH2O

What is Diasip Used For?

• Dietary management of diabetes mellitus

Classified as a Food for Special Medical Purposes, Diasip is developed to be used for the dietary management of diabetes mellitus.

• Management of disease-related malnutrition (DRM) in people with diabetes

People with diabetes commonly have or are at risk of developing disease-related malnutrition, due to the peculiarity of their medical condition.

Diasip is nutritionally complete and helps to support the treatment of DRM for such patients.

• Nutritional support for related conditions including – glucose intolerance or hyperglycemia.

People experiencing high blood glucose levels may not necessarily have diabetes, but they are at risk of developing the disease.

Diasip can supplement their diet and help them cope with their condition.

• Dietary support for other conditions

Diasip can also help patients suffering from gastrointestinal disturbances, due to the high amount of fibre it contains. Patients with conditions requiring high energy and protein diet can also benefit from Diasip.

Diasip Dosage

Use of Diasip should be recommended by your healthcare professional, including dosage and other directions for use.

Nevertheless, when taking Diasip as a sole source of nutrition, you would need 5 – 7 bottles per day, unless otherwise directed by medical prescription.

In the case where Diasip is used to supplement the diet, 1 – 3 bottles a day taken in between meals would do.

You should be able to take your medications alongside Diasip. But if you are required to take them on an empty stomach, then don’t take it with Diasip. If you’re uncertain or have other questions, see your doctor for clarification.

You can store an unfinished bottle in a refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Discard opened unfinished Diasip, after 24 hours.

Pros

• Diasip is nutritionally complete, and can be used alone as a sole source of nutrition.

Compared with other similar oral nutritional supplements.

• Affordable and easily purchased any online health store, and pharmacy near you.

You can order in packs of 4 bottles, or more.

• Free deliveries on all orders exceeding $50, in most countries.

Cons

• Although vanilla flavoured Diasip is available almost everywhere, the same is not the case for other flavours.
• Not suitable for children under 6 years of age.

Is Diasip Suitable for Diabetics?

Yes. As a matter of fact, Diasip was specifically made for supporting diabetic patients who often struggle with maintaining a healthy diet while keeping their blood glucose in check.

Diasip contains nutrients that provide your body with the right amount of energy and nutrition needed per meal, but still falls within a safe lower glycaemic index required for a diabetic diet.

More so, the blend of ingredients that make up the total carbohydrates are ‘slow to digest’ starch and isomaltose, which spells good news for people with diabetes worried about after-meal blood glucose spikes.

Another important feature is the amount of fibre (5 grams) in Diasip. Fibre helps the body with the metabolism of glucose which is usually an issue for people with diabetes.

There aren’t many fibre-rich oral nutritional supplements made for diabetics out there, and quite a few are as well-known as Diasip.

When Should You Not Use Diasip?

Diasip is usually well tolerated by most people, with almost no side effects. But some peculiar conditions need to be taken into account to avoid unnecessary complications.

As a precaution, Diasip is NOT suitable for:

• People with fructosaemia (fructose intolerance)
• Anyone with galactosaemia ( a disorder affecting the body’s metabolism of galactose)
• Children below 3 years of age. Exercise caution in children aged 3-6 years.
• Anyone on a fibre-free diet.

Other precautions

• Allergies

Diasip contains cow’s milk protein, fish oil and soy.

• Pregnancy

Nursing or pregnant mothers should consult with their doctor before taking Diasip.

Can You Use Diasip With High Blood Pressure?

The benefits of Diasip is not limited to improved glycaemic control, but also better lipid control.

Lipid control is directly linked to high blood pressure control for people who have or are at risk of hypertension and heart disease.

Several nutrients in Diasip are inversely related to blood pressure and may provide health benefits to a hypertensive, including:

• Fibre

Diasip contains soluble and insoluble fibre to support better gastrointestinal function and lower blood pressure.

A large body of research support the claim that high fibre intake reduces cholesterol and high blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

• Magnesium

Magnesium is considered a potential antihypertensive nutrient, as investigated by many studies showing positive results.

• Potassium

The American Society of Hypertension writing group recommends an average of 4.7 grams daily potassium intake as a dietary approach to reducing blood pressure.

Can Elderly Use Diasip?

Diasip is a great product that can supplement the diet of seniors who have diabetes or stress-induced glucose intolerance, with low glycaemic nutrients.

Compared with the 11 million people between the ages of 40-59, approximately 19.3 million people aged 60 -79 are estimated to have diabetes across Europe. Bear in mind that diabetes and malnutrition can exist simultaneously, especially among frail elderly patients.

It doesn’t have to be so, now, seniors and their carers at home can find satisfaction in Diasip’s nutritionally complete formula.

Additionally, the medical condition of the elderly may constrain them from feeding properly, Diasip can be consumed via enteral feeding for convenience.

What Does Research Say?

In a randomized controlled study, 40 patients with type 2 diabetes at risk of malnutrition volunteered as participants to test the effect of diabetic-specific ONS (Diasip) on postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose response.

The participants consumed 2 bottles of Diasip (200ml) each day, along with their usual diet.

After 12 weeks, the results showed that Diasip significantly reduced postprandial blood glucose response.

Another study to test the effect of oral antidiabetic medication on postprandial glucose (PPG), involved 44 patients with type 2 diabetes.

For a period of 4 weeks, a random number of the participants took 2 bottles of Diasip daily, while others took the same dosage of a placebo.

After 4 weeks, the results were assessed, revealing a significantly lower PPG (or after-meal blood glucose response) in the Diasip group after the initial intake, and it continued to decline after 4 weeks of use.

With the other standard fibre-containing formula group, there was an increase in body weight compared to the Diasip group. Apart from these, other factors such as postprandial insulin, insulin resistance, fasting glucose, fructosamine and lipid levels were similar between the two groups.

All evidence show that Diasip is beneficial to diabetic patients at risk of malnutrition, improving their daily nutrition as well as improving postprandial blood glucose control.

Recipe tips

For an easy breakfast delight, you can prepare an ‘Overnight Oats’ with Diasip.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Diasip (vanilla flavour)
• ¼ cup Greek-style vanilla yogurt
• ½ cup oats
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• ¼ cup fresh raspberries
• 1/3 sliced small banana
• 2 tsp shredded coconut

Directions

• Mix the oats, Diasip (vanilla), chia seeds and yogurt together in a sealable container, and refrigerate overnight.
• Serve chilled with coconut, banana and raspberries.

Nutricia provides many more mouth-watering recipes.

Conclusion

Watching our elderly ones struggle with diabetes and malnutrition caused by the chronic disease can be heart-breaking. It is not easy to manage diabetes as an adult, let alone as an elderly or one suffering from dementia. They may not be able to keep account of when to feed or take their medication. Thus, their frail body usually suffers from malnutrition.

Moreover, Family members or caregivers may not even be able to keep proper tabs on their diet, or prevent after-meal blood glucose spikes. But with the help of Diasip (which can act as a sole source of nutrition), all you need to do is ensure the elderly diabetic takes the dietary supplement required per day, with or without food. Then monitor other aspects involved in the management of diabetes such as blood glucose and/or blood pressure monitoring.

When treating malnourishment, taking Diasip significantly improves the condition of a diabetic. You may not notice the results immediately, but eventually, its benefits become evident.

Finally, Diasip is a well-tolerated medical drink and does not have any adverse side effects. But that doesn’t mean it is suitable for everyone.

Diasip may cause complications for those with cow’s milk allergies, galactosaemia, or children below 6 years of age. So, it is important to communicate with your healthcare professional, who will assess your medical condition and history, before giving you the go-ahead.