The relevance of dietary protein after bariatric surgery: what do we know?
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review recent findings on how bariatric surgery affects dietary protein intake, digestion, and absorption.
Results Summary
After bariatric surgery, protein intake is often insufficient due to reduced gastric capacity and food aversions, leading to loss of fat-free mass rather than fat mass. Protein digestion and absorption appear unaffected despite inadequate intake, suggesting compensatory mechanisms may exist.
Population
Patients who underwent bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy).
Effective Dosage
Minimal recommended protein intake of 60g per day.
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bariatric surgery | decrease | protein intake | patients | - | compromised | #1 |
bariatric surgery | decrease | gastric capacity | patients | - | reduced | #2 |
bariatric surgery | decrease | food tolerance | patients | - | aversion for certain foods | #3 |
- | no change | recommended protein intake of minimal 60 g per day | a minority of patients | - | reaches | #4 |
inadequate protein intake | decrease | loss of fat-free mass | patients | - | results in | #5 |
inadequate protein intake | decrease | loss of fat mass | patients | - | results in | #6 |
bariatric surgery | no change | protein digestion and absorption | - | - | do not seem to be impaired | #7 |
bariatric surgery | decrease | digestive enzyme secretion | - | - | reduced secretion of digestive enzymes | #8 |
bariatric surgery | decrease | digestive enzyme delivery | - | - | delayed inlet | #9 |
protein supplementation or diet enrichment | increase | minimal recommended protein intake | patients after bariatric surgery | - | could attribute to achieve | #10 |
protein supplementation or diet enrichment | increase | amount and composition of postoperative weight loss | patients after bariatric surgery | - | could benefit | #11 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The growing obesity epidemic is associated with an increased demand for bariatric surgery with Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy as the most widely performed procedures. Despite beneficial consequences, nutritional complications may arise because of anatomical and physiological changes of the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of the recent additions to our understanding of the impact of bariatric surgery on the intake, digestion and absorption of dietary protein. RECENT FINDINGS: After bariatric surgery, protein intake is compromised because of reduced gastric capacity and aversion for certain foods. A minority of patients reaches the recommended protein intake of minimal 60 g per day, which results in the loss of fat-free mass rather than the desired loss of fat mass. Despite inadequate protein intake, protein digestion and absorption do not seem to be impaired suggesting that other mechanisms could counteract the reduced secretion of digestive enzymes and their delayed inlet. SUMMARY: After bariatric surgery, protein supplementation or diet enrichment could attribute to achieve the minimal recommended protein intake and benefit the amount and composition of postoperative weight loss.