Impact of protein supplementation after bariatric surgery: A randomized controlled double-blind pilot study.
OBJECTIVES
Bariatric patients are at risk of protein deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine possible benefits of postoperative protein supplementation weight reduction, body composition, and protein status.


METHODS
Twenty obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery were randomized either to the protein (PRO) group, which received a daily protein supplement over 6 months postoperatively, or to the control (CON) group, which received an isocaloric placebo in a double-blind fashion. Data on protein and energy intake, body weight, body composition, blood proteins, and grip force was collected preinterventionally and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
In both groups body weight was significantly reduced to a similar extent (after 6 months: PRO group 25.4 ± 7.2%, CON group 20.9 ± 3.9%; intergroup comparison P > 0.05). Protein intake was steadily increased in the PRO group, but not in the CON group, and reached maximum at month 6 (25.4 ± 3.7% of energy intake versus 15.8 ± 4.4%; P < 0.001). In the PRO group, body fat mass loss was higher than that in the CON group (79% of absolute weight loss versus 73%; P = 0.02) while lean body mass loss was less pronounced (21% versus 27%, P = 0.05). Blood proteins and grip force did not differ at any time point between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that protein supplementation after bariatric surgery improves body composition by enhancing loss of body fat mass and reducing loss of lean body mass within the 6 months follow up.
['Schollenberger|Asja E|AE|', 'Karschin|Judith|J|', 'Meile|Tobias|T|', 'Küper|Markus A|MA|', 'Königsrainer|Alfred|A|', 'Bischoff|Stephan C|SC|']
D000273:Adipose Tissue D000328:Adult D050110:Bariatric Surgery D015415:Biomarkers D001823:Body Composition D015992:Body Mass Index D001835:Body Weight D004044:Dietary Proteins D019587:Dietary Supplements D004311:Double-Blind Method D002149:Energy Intake D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D005858:Germany D018737:Hand Strength D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009765:Obesity D010865:Pilot Projects D011788:Quality of Life D016896:Treatment Outcome
Protein deficiency Body composition Body fat mass Lean body mass Gastric bypass Muscle mass Sleeve gastrectomy