Whey protein and caseinate supplementation in oncological patients undergoing elective surgery for the modification of functional capacity

• Published in: Nutrición hospitalaria : organo oficial de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 257 - 265
• Main Authors: Bizueto Monroy, José Luis, Ramírez-Orozco, Ricardo E, Martín Del Campo Cervantes, Judith, Esparza Ramos, Susana Berenice, González Espinosa, Ivonne, Cuéllar Valencia, Said, Gutiérrez Ramírez, Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 20.04.2023
• Subjects: Dietary Supplements; Hand Strength; Humans; Neoplasms - surgery; Nutritional Status; Whey Proteins - therapeutic use; Proteína de suero de leche. Caseinato. Suplementación dietética. Servicio oncológico hospitalario. Fuerza de prensión. Bioimpedancia eléctrica
• ISSN: 0212-1611; 1699-5198
• DOI: 10.20960/nh.04292

Introduction: the nutritional intervention has become a critical point to achieve the reduction of perioperative morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. There are different factors that will play a fundamental role in the evolution and prognosis of this pathology, being the state of nutrition and diet a cornerstone in these aspects. Objective: to evaluate the perioperative effect of whey protein isolate (WPI) and calcium caseinate (CaCNT) in cancer patients undergoing elective surgery. Methods: randomized controlled clinical trial with three groups: the control group (n = 15), consisting in conventional management by the oncology surgery services, and two intervention groups, one with calcium caseinate supplementation (n = 15) and another one with whey protein isolate supplementation (n = 15) for six weeks perioperatively. Handgrip strength, six-minute walk, and body composition were assessed pre and postoperatively. Results: those who were supplemented with WPI maintained their handgrip strength and showed less extracellular water (p < 0.02); also an increase in visceral mass was shown (p < 0.02). Finally, a correlation was found with variables associated with body composition and patient evolution when compared to the control group. Conclusions: nutritional supplementation needs to be approached from the functional and metabolic point of view to identify factors that have a favorable impact, as well as the distinction between carcinoma and the type of supplementation to be implemented.