Efeito da suplementação de proteína na composição corporal, gasto energético e parâmetros bioquímicos de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

Abstract

Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most successful method for weight loss in patients with grade III obesity and morbidities. However, patients undergoing BC often do not reach the recommended protein intake. Thus, protein supplements could minimize the loss of muscle mass by preventing protein malnutrition. Whey protein has high biological value, with high content of branched-chain amino acids that stimulate protein synthesis and reduce the loss of muscle mass observed in hypocaloric diets. Thus, whey protein would contribute to maintain body composition and prevent muscle loss. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of whey protein supplementation for 8 weeks in female patients in the late postoperative period of BS, regarding nutritional, metabolic and inflammatory status. After the eight weeks of experiment, there was an increase in lean mass, muscle thickness and a reduction in fat mass and fat percentage in the Whey group compared to the initial time, a result not observed in the control group. There was no difference in biochemical parameters, except for the increase in fasting blood glucose in the Malto group, which did not occur in the Whey group. In addition, there was a reduction in inflammation in the protein-supplemented group compared to the initial time. No differences were observed in handgrip strength and gait speed in the groups, as well as in energy expenditure in both groups. We conclude that whey protein supplementation can reduce fat-free mass loss and increase body fat mass regardless of changes in BMI evolution in the late postoperative period of bariatric surgery. In addition, our findings suggest that isolated milk protein supplementation can bring benefits in reducing inflammation, in addition to contributing to the maintenance of a healthy diet.