Abbott Nutrition is the company responsible for the drink Ensure, the “therapeutic nutrition” supplement meant to fill in “nutritional gaps.” The drink is branded as the “#1 Doctor Recommended,” “Worldwide Leader in Nutritional Science” and yet, it’s one of the worst examples of a Big Food corporation masquerading as a healthy alternative. And, not only does the company have deep ties to the medical industry (which means you find their products in just about every hospital today) but they are a member of the notorious pro-GMO organization, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, who has, to date, given nearly a million dollars to fight against GMO labeling in the United States. 1

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Most often these products are given to people in extremely poor health, who need proper nutrition the most. However, that’s not what they get with Ensure as the product is full of preservatives, fillers, and chemicals.

(Example: In the picture below you can see what looks to be juice on the packaging, however, the back of the product clearly says, “Contains no apple juice.”1)
carroll-1

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So, just what IS inside Ensure? 1

  • Corn Syrup Solids- made of dehydrated corn syrup, which is 100% glucose, this type of sugar adds to the risk of obesity, is almost always made from GMO corn and has been linked to diabetes, and cancer.
  • Cupric sulfate- a toxic pesticide and fungicide that can cause gastrointestinal issues, anemia, and even death at high doses. It is also genotoxic, meaning it can cause the cells to mutate due to genetic damage.
  • Chromium chloride- a toxin that has negative effects on both the male and female reproductive system, causes stomach problems, abnormal bleeding, and ulcers.
  • Sodium Selenite-  a toxic ingredient produced as a byproduct of copper metal refining, and somehow often labeled as a “nutrient.” (Even the EPA has classified it as dangerous.)
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors- can include many different chemicals, often derived from inorganic sources, and harmful to health.
  • Synthetic Vitamins-  synthetic and manufactured with chemicals. (Synthetics aren’t absorbed by the body in the same way as natural vitamins because they have been “isolated” from the entire vitamin complex including trace minerals and enzymes.)
  • Dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate- a synthetic type of Vitamin E that is only 12% as effective as natural Vitamin E and often created as a byproduct of a petrochemical dependent manufacturing process. It’s been associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, DNA damage, and other adverse effects.
  • Ferrous sulfate- a synthetic form of iron that can cause constipation, nausea, allergic reactions, and gastrointestinal issues.
  • Niacinamide-  a synthetic form of vitamin B3 with a list of potential side effects, one of which includes liver failure.
  • Manganese sulfate- made from the reaction between manganese oxide and sulfuric acid, it’s often used in paints and varnishes, fertilizers and fungicides, and ceramics. Manganese itself is a mineral.
  • Calcium Pantothenate-  a synthetic substance made from pantothenic acid to mimic natural vitamin B5.
  • Vitamin A Palmitate- a synthetic form of vitamin A which can cause liver damage and stomach issues.
  • Zinc Sulfate- an inorganic form of zinc that can be toxic to cells as well as dangerous to the environment.
  • Sodium molybdate- a chemical form of sodium that has been shown to have negative effects on fertility in animals.
  • Other synthetic vitamins are also included as well as Whey Protein Isolate (likely from cows fed with GMO corn), Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (a synthetic form of vitamin C that is usually inorganic and hard for the body to digest), Folic Acid, Biotin, and Vitamin D3 (which is good stuff and at the bottom meaning it’s the smallest ingredient).

How on EARTH this can be called nutritional is beyond comprehension. It’s not actual food and shouldn’t be fed to ANYONE.

 

Sources and References

  1. Truth Theory, May 2, 2016.