title: Impact of protein supplementation after bariatric surgery: A randomized controlled double-blind pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim and University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Asja E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schollenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karschin
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meile
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Küper
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Königsrainer
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: bischoff.stephan@uni-hohenheim.de.
authors.forename: Stephan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bischoff
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; 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 / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: Body composition; Body fat mass; Gastric bypass; Lean body mass; Muscle mass; Protein deficiency; Sleeve gastrectomy