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Volume 5
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10.3390/obesities5020042
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Article

The Role of Whey Protein in Maintaining Fat-Free Mass and Promoting Fat Loss After 18 Months of Bariatric Surgery

by
Hirla Karen Fialho Henriques
1,*,
Fabiana Martins Kattah
1,
Matheus Soares Piccolo
1,
Elandia Aparecida dos Santos
1,
Lucas Haniel de Araújo Ventura
1,
Flávia Rodrigues Cerqueira
2,
Claudia Maria Andrade Fernandes Vieira
2 and
Jacqueline Isaura Alvarez Leite
1
1
Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
2
Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte 30150-221, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Obesities 2025, 5(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5020042
Submission received: 3 April 2025 / Revised: 19 May 2025 / Accepted: 23 May 2025 / Published: 5 June 2025
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Abstract

Introduction: Adequate protein intake is essential for maintaining lean body mass during weight loss, particularly for patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BS). Whey protein supplementation may help meet daily protein requirements. This study aimed to assess the effects of whey protein supplementation on weight loss and body composition in women during the medium-term postoperative phase following BS. Methods: In a double-blind, controlled study over four weeks, 24 women received 30 g of whey protein (Whey group), while 19 received 30 g of maltodextrin (Malto group). Body composition, energy expenditure, muscle thickness, muscle strength, walking performance, and dietary intake were evaluated. Results: Compared to the Malto group, the Whey group showed greater reductions in body weight (median: −0.6 kg vs. −0.2 kg, respectively) and fat mass (median: −1.1 kg vs. −0.25 kg, respectively), along with an increase in fat-free mass (−0.7 kg vs. 0.6 kg, respectively). Muscle thickness improved in the Whey compared to the Malto group in the abdominal (0.07 mm vs. −0.04 mm, respectively) and thigh (0.4 mm vs. −0.15 mm, respectively) regions. Additionally, muscle mass reduction was less pronounced in the Whey group (−3 kg vs. −0.13 kg). No significant differences were observed in handgrip strength, gait speed, or nutrient intake. Conclusions: Whey protein supplementation may be beneficial, as it enhances weight loss and preserves fat-free and muscle mass more effectively than a diet without this supplementation in women during the stabilization phase or late postoperative period of BS.
Keywords: obesity; protein; whey protein; bariatric surgery; body composition obesity; protein; whey protein; bariatric surgery; body composition

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MDPI and ACS Style

Henriques, H.K.F.; Kattah, F.M.; Piccolo, M.S.; dos Santos, E.A.; de Araújo Ventura, L.H.; Cerqueira, F.R.; Vieira, C.M.A.F.; Leite, J.I.A. The Role of Whey Protein in Maintaining Fat-Free Mass and Promoting Fat Loss After 18 Months of Bariatric Surgery. Obesities 2025, 5, 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5020042

AMA Style

Henriques HKF, Kattah FM, Piccolo MS, dos Santos EA, de Araújo Ventura LH, Cerqueira FR, Vieira CMAF, Leite JIA. The Role of Whey Protein in Maintaining Fat-Free Mass and Promoting Fat Loss After 18 Months of Bariatric Surgery. Obesities. 2025; 5(2):42. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5020042

Chicago/Turabian Style

Henriques, Hirla Karen Fialho, Fabiana Martins Kattah, Matheus Soares Piccolo, Elandia Aparecida dos Santos, Lucas Haniel de Araújo Ventura, Flávia Rodrigues Cerqueira, Claudia Maria Andrade Fernandes Vieira, and Jacqueline Isaura Alvarez Leite. 2025. "The Role of Whey Protein in Maintaining Fat-Free Mass and Promoting Fat Loss After 18 Months of Bariatric Surgery" Obesities 5, no. 2: 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5020042

APA Style

Henriques, H. K. F., Kattah, F. M., Piccolo, M. S., dos Santos, E. A., de Araújo Ventura, L. H., Cerqueira, F. R., Vieira, C. M. A. F., & Leite, J. I. A. (2025). The Role of Whey Protein in Maintaining Fat-Free Mass and Promoting Fat Loss After 18 Months of Bariatric Surgery. Obesities, 5(2), 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities5020042

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