Effect of soy protein formula on the nutritional status of post-operative and long-term bedridden patients

Dietary proteins are involved in the synthesis of tissue proteins and are required to maintain body tissue, so protein intake must be increased to avoid development of malnutrition in patients who are elderly, bedridden, or undergoing surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of 4 weeks of ingestion of a high-protein formula for postoperative and long-term bedridden patients. Before the investigation, all subjects were given a nutritional assessment, including anthropometry, biochemical measurements, clinical assessment, and dietary intake analysis. The major constituent of the high-protein formula is powdered soy protein, and two spoons (72 kcal, 16 g of protein) were added to the diets daily. After 4 weeks of treatment, ingestion of the soy protein formula had significantly increased mid-arm circumference (MAC), serum albumin, and serum prealbumin (p<0.05); body weight, triceps skinfold thickness, and midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) had slightly but not significantly increased (p>0. 05). During the treatment period, no clinically problematic symptoms were observed. In summary, supplementation of a soy protein formula improved the nutritional status of surgical patients and those suffering from long-term chronic disease.