A novel single agent for nutritional supplementation following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Duodenal bypass and intestinal malabsorption from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) can exacerbate known nutritional deficiencies of morbidly obese patients and worsen symptoms. Preventatively, most bariatric patients use postoperative nutritional supplementation. This study evaluated Nuvista(®) (Nutricia North America, Rockville, MD) and its potential as an adequate single nutritional supplement.

From October 2009 to June 2010, 25 patients enrolled in a prospective, consecutive pilot study. Each underwent laparoscopic RYGB. The study group consumed two packs of Nuvista daily. The control group received standard nutritional supplements. Both groups had the same postoperative diet. Laboratory and demographics were compared at baseline and 12 months. Statistical analysis included paired t test, and a value of P<.05 was significant.

The study and control groups (16 and 9 patients, respectively) had statistically similar demographic profiles. Both groups had preoperative elevations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (6.2% and 6.2%, respectively), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (108.2 mg/dL and 199.2 mg/dL, respectively), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (55.1 mg/dL and 48.0 mg/dL, respectively) and deficiencies in vitamin D with respective mean values of 20.6 ng/mL and 22.7 ng/mL (normal range, 30-100 ng/mL). Postoperatively, the study group had significant increases in phosphorus (P=.02), iron (P=.03), vitamin D (P=.05), zinc (P=.01), and HDL (P≤.01) and significant decreases in body mass index (BMI) (P≤.01), creatinine (P=.02), HbA1c (P=.01), triglycerides (P≤.01), and LDL (P≤.01). The control group had a significant increase in HDL (P=.01) and significant decreases in BMI (P≤.01), hemoglobin (P=.01), creatinine (P≤.01), albumin (P=.05), HbA1c (P=.05), zinc (P≤.01), triglycerides (P=.03), and LDL (P=.01). No change in mean parathyroid hormone value was seen.

Nuvista can provide adequate supplementation to bariatric patients 12 months after RYGB. Lifelong biochemical follow-up is necessary to personalize the diet and nutritional supplementation to compensate for the pathophysiologic changes of the gastric bypass.