As a dietitian working with individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery I am often asked whether Collagen Protein is a suitable protein source.
Nutrition guidelines published by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommend that when protein supplements are the sole source of protein, as in the early post-surgery period, the protein should be complete and have a high protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAA).
So what does this all mean?
Protein found in both plant and animal food sources is made up of about 20 common amino acids, nine of which are considered essential. That is, they must be obtained from the food we eat. Specifically, these essential amino acids, commonly referred to as the 'building blocks of protein', are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. A complete protein is one that contains all of these essential amino acids.
Now, to explain the PDCAA
The highest PDCAA score is 100. Milk (whey/casein), eggs and soy all have a PDCAA score of 100 and they are also considered complete proteins. Collagen is an incomplete protein source with a lower PDCAA score. This is because collagen does not contain the essential amino acid tryptophan, and is low in cysteine, also an essental amino acid..
How much protein do I need?
Protein is always essential, whether you are 3 weeks post-operatively or many years post-surgery. Protein requirements for individuals who have had bariatric surgery are from 1.0-1.5 gm/kg of Ideal Body Weight. This means that even when you reach your ideal body weight you still need slightly more protein than the normal protein requirements of 0.8 gm/kg of body weight.
What about protein supplements?
Many protein supplements on the market are made from collagen or various protein blends. It is advisable to look at the ingredient list on the packaging. Isolate and concentrates of whey, eggs, or soy have the best absorption, whereas blends may not. The amount of protein that is absorbed in the protein blends will depend on each of the sources of protein, therefore isolates are better choice.
The amount of protein in the supplement is also important. Look for a variety that has around 24g protein per serve (80g protein/100g) and does not contain added sugar. If you have lactose intolerance, products made with soy or whey protein isolate are often lactose free.
How long will I need protein supplements?
If you are able to meet your protein requirements from the food you eat then you don't need to take protein supplements. However, you may find that it is difficult to meet your requirements because of the small volume of food that you eat, therefore long term protein supplementation may be required. Keep in mind that any protein that is consumed in excess of your nutritional requirements has the potential to be stored as fat.
If you are unsure about your protein intake and requirements an Accredited Practising Dietitian can help.
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