Smartfish’s medical nutritional drink demonstrates positive effects for COPD patients suffering from cachexia
Study finds that Remune improves symptoms and activity related quality of life
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 45 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients suffering from cachexia shows that Remune significantly improves patients’ symptoms, a clinical study has found.
Remune is a targeted medical nutritional drink, developed and produced by the Norwegian company Smartfish.
The results were presented on 19 September at the ESPEN (European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) congress in Copenhagen by the chairman of the Smartfish cachexia programmes’ steering committee, Professor Philip Calder, University of Southampton, UK.
Remune improves patients’ fat depots, fatigue and dyspnea, blood pressure and metabolic markers, the study found.
It also shows positive trends in inflammatory markers and overall improved activity related quality of life.
'It is very gratifying that this study now clearly shows that there is hope of a better quality of life for the millions of COPD patients suffering from cachexia,' said Maria Öhlander, Chief Scientific Officer at Smartfish.
This study now clearly shows that there is hope of a better quality of life for the millions of COPD patients suffering from cachexia
Cachexia is a condition of involuntary weight loss, undernourishment and a number of negative side-effects that can be seen in patients with COPD, as well as in cancer and in several severe inflammatory diseases, such as AIDS, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
COPD is characterised by long-term poor airflow, shortness of breath and severe cough. It affects nearly 5% of the global population. Approximately 20–30% of patients suffering from COPD also develop cachexia.
Remune is a targeted medical nutritional drink based on Smartfish’s patented technology.
Its unique composition is juiced-based with plant antioxidants and high levels of omega-3, vitamin D, high-quality whey protein and polyphenols targeted specifically at patients with cachexia.
It has a fruity flavour and a smoothie like texture, features that have proven to be well accepted by cancer and COPD patients.
In the study, either Remune or the placebo, a milk-based isocaloric drink – was taken by the patients twice daily over a period of 12 weeks.
'We have been convinced of our nutritional emulsions’ nutritional and medical effects for a very long time. A number of clinical studies have pointed in that direction,' said Smartfish’s CEO Claus Kjaergaard.
'However, this is the first study of our product’s effect on one of the world’s major deadly diseases. It clearly shows that we can make a significant difference for patients.'
