Dave H. Schweitzer

Prevention of Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery: Evidence and Algorithms

Bariatric surgery is widely accepted as first-choice treatment of morbid obesity and has also shown promising results in the treatment of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The number of operations each year is increasing, as well as, consequently, the urgent need for a coordinated nutritional approach, as micronutrient deficiencies occur frequently in these patients. Official guidelines on chronic use of multivitamins and minerals are, yet, unavailable in bariatric medicine. The current review provides an algorithm that supports bariatric teams to guarantee adequate nutrition after the operation.

Comparison of MRI-assessed body fat content between lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and matched controls: less visceral fat with PCOS

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder. However, PCOS has a strong resemblance to the metabolic syndrome, including preponderance of visceral fat deposition. The aim of this study is to compare fat distribution between lean women with PCOS and controls matched for body composition but with regular menstrual cycles and proven fertility. METHODS In this prospective cross-sectional study in a fertility outpatient clinic, 10 Caucasian women with PCOS and 10 controls, all with a BMI between 19 and 25 kg/m(2), were included. Fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), hormonal levels and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) variables were assessed and fat content and ovarian volume determinations were obtained with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Multiple axial cross-sections were calculated. RESULTS The age of the PCOS and control groups were [mean (SD)] 28.2 years (2.6) versus 33.7 years (2.3) P < 0.0001, respectively, and both groups were matched for BMI: 21.6 kg/m(2) (1.1) versus 21.8 kg/m(2) (2.1) (ns), fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) levels and BIA parameters. PCOS cases had higher ovarian volumes and less visceral fat compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Lean women with PCOS have higher MRI-determined ovarian volumes and less visceral fat content when compared with control women.

Appetite suppression through smelling of dark chocolate correlates with changes in ghrelin in young women

Cephalic effects on appetite are mediated by vagal tone and altered gastrointestinal hormones. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between appetite and levels of gastrointestinal hormones after smelling chocolate and after melt-and-swallow 30 g chocolate (1.059 oz, 85% cocoa, 12.5 g of sugar per 100g product). Twelve female residents (BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m(2)) all participated in two 60-minute study sessions. In the first session, all 12 women ate chocolate; for the second session, they were randomized either to smell chocolate (n=6) or to serve as a control (no eating or smelling; n=6). At the start of the sessions, levels of insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK), but not glucose, correlated with appetite scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS). In contrast, ghrelin levels correlated inversely with scored appetite. Chocolate eating and smelling both induced a similar appetite suppression with a disappearance of correlations between VAS scores and insulin, GLP-1 and CCK levels. However, while the correlation between VAS score and ghrelin disappeared completely after chocolate eating, it reversed after chocolate smelling, that is, olfactory stimulation with dark chocolate (85%) resulted in a satiation response that correlated inversely with ghrelin levels.

Comparison of quantitative ultrasound parameters with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in pre- and postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has been claimed as an alternative technique for risk assessment of hip fractures associated with osteoporosis. However, reports concerning modest correlations between QUS parameters and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in women raise questions about the reliability of QUS technology to predict bone mineral density (BMD). Partially, the lack of stronger correlations may be due to heterogeneity in bone architecture deterioration which may be more pronounced in older than in younger women. Therefore, it was thought important to study QUS/DXA interrelationships in subgroups of pre- and postmenopausal women. METHODS We studied 217 pre- and postmenopausal women between the ages of 25 and 75 years, who were referred for a BMD measurement because of osteoporosis in at least one family member either in the first or in the second degree. All women had a calcaneal QUS and a DXA measurement at the lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck. RESULTS The linear regression coefficients between the QUS parameters broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) and DXA at the various sites in the group as a whole were 0.53 to 0.54 (P<0.0001). Significantly lower regression coefficients between BUA and DXA at the total hip and the femoral neck were found in premenopausal women (r=0.31 and 0.38, P<0.0001) compared to postmenopausal women (r=0.56 and 0.53, P<0.0001). For SOS there was no significant difference between the regression coefficients in the pre- and postmenopausal group. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis as assessed by DXA in the total group was 25% (6% in the pre- and 36% in the postmenopausal group). BUA failed to detect osteoporosis in all five premenopausal women but also in 20 out of 50 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis according to DXA measurements. SOS measurements were even worse in this respect. CONCLUSIONS Linear regression coefficients between calcaneal QUS parameters and DXA are only modest considering a group of 25--75-year-old Dutch women. In the subgroup of premenopausal women correlations between BUA and BMD at the hip and femoral neck are worse compared to those in postmenopausal women. The predictive value of QUS parameters for BMD is limited, therefore it is not appropriate to use QUS as a surrogate for DXA.

First Quantification of Calcium Intake from Calcium-Dense Dairy Products in Dutch Fracture Patients (The Delft Cohort Study)

Recommendations for daily calcium intake from dairy products are variable and based on local consensus. To investigate whether patients with a recent fracture complied with these recommendations, we quantified the daily dairy calcium intake including milk, milk drinks, pudding, yoghurt, and cheese in a Dutch cohort of fracture patients and compared outcomes with recent data of a healthy U.S. cohort (80% Caucasians). An observational study analyzed dairy calcium intakes of 1526 female and 372 male Dutch fracture patients older than 50. On average, participants reported three dairy servings per day, independently of age, gender or population density. Median calcium intake from dairy was 790 mg/day in females and males. Based on dairy products alone, 11.3% of women and 14.2% of men complied with Dutch recommendations for calcium intake (adults ≤ 70 years: 1100 mg/day and >70 years: 1200 mg/day). After including 450 mg calcium from basic nutrition, compliance raised to 60.5% and 59.1%, respectively, compared to 53.2% in the U.S. cohort. Daily dairy calcium intake is not associated with femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores or WHO Fracture Assessment Tool (FRAX) risk scores for major fracture or hip fracture. However, when sub analyzing the male cohort, these associations were weakly negative. The prevalence of maternal hip fracture was a factor for current fracture risks, both in women and men. While daily dairy calcium intake of Dutch fracture patients was well below the recommended dietary intake, it was comparable to intakes in a healthy U.S. cohort. This questions recommendations for adding more additional dairy products to preserve adult skeletal health, particularly when sufficient additional calcium is derived from adequate non-dairy nutrition.

Successful weight loss surgery improves eating control and energy metabolism: a review of the evidence.

Eating behavior is determined by a balance of memories in terms of reward and punishment to satisfy the urge to consume food. Refilling empty energy stores and hedonistic motivation are rewarding aspects of eating. Overfeeding, associated adverse GI effects, and obesity implicate punishment. In the current review, evidence is given for the hypothesis that bariatric surgery affects control over eating behavior.Moreover, any caloric overload will reduce the feeling of satiety. Durable weight loss after bariatric surgery is probably the result of a new equilibrium between reward and punishment, together with a better signaling of satiation due to beneficial metabolic changes.We propose to introduce three main treatment goals for bariatric surgery: 1) acceptable weight loss, 2) improvement of eating control, and 3) metabolic benefit. To achieve this goal, loss of 50% to 70% of excess weight will be appropriate (i.e. 30% to 40% loss of initial weight), depending on the degree of obesity prior to operation.

Daily High Doses of Fluoxetine for Weight Loss and Improvement in Lifestyle before Bariatric Surgery

Background: The number of gastric restrictive bariatric operations is increasing each year, but about one-fifth of patients will become disappointed due to unsatisfactory weight reduction or annoying complications. We questioned whether weight reduction by taking high doses of fluoxetine improves lifestyle before surgery. Methods: 84 severely obese subjects were referred by one bariatric surgeon for medical weight reduction and dietary counseling, before bariatric surgery. Subjects were voluntarily treated with fluoxetine, 60 mg per day, and followed-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Surgery was scheduled between 6 to 12 months after subjects started to take fluoxetine. Endpoints of this study were body weight reductions, the number of individuals who decided for themselves to postpone surgery for at least 6 months, and side-effects of fluoxetine therapy. Results: 84 severely obese subjects consisting of 28 men (group 1) and 41 women (group 2) consented to take fluoxetine for its anorectic effects, whereas 12 men and 3 women who did not want to take fluoxetine served as the control group (group 3). Weight in these 3 groups at baseline was 149±26, 124±17, and 132±23 (controls) (P<0.05) with BMI 46±3, 44±3, and 45±2 (controls) kg/m2 (NS). Maximum weight reduction before surgery in male and female fluoxetine users occurred at 3 and 6 months, respectively. At 6 months, men had achieved a weight reduction (kg) of -8.3 (95% CI: -9.3 to -5.9), women of -13.3 (95% CI: -16.3 to -8.8), sex difference P<0.001, and controls of -1.6 (95% CI: -3.8 to -2.5) kg, group difference P<0.0001. Only 2 men stopped fluoxetine because of annoying sexual side-effects. At 6 months, 25 fluoxetine users (29.7%) and none of the controls consented to postpone the time of surgery for at least another 6 months. Conclusion: Fluoxetine is effective to reduce weight in severely obese men and women who originally had requested to undergo bariatric surgery. One-third of subjects who consented to take fluoxetine as an anorectic drug agreed to delay surgery for at least 6 months later than scheduled.

Adequate nutrition followed by revisional bariatric surgery to optimize homeostatic eating control.

Terms as treatment failure or ineffective treatment after bariatric surgery are not clearly defined and difficult to handle. About one third of all persons who were formerly treated with a Lapband have either mechanical problems or do not lose enough weight. The current review argues in favor of adequate nutrition to suppress hunger and optimize satiety together with effective but least malabsorptive revisional surgery. This approach aims at switching the gut–brain axis, thereby facilitating homeostatic eating control.