Inclusion Criteria:

1. The American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) class 1 to 3

2. Colorectal surgery for non-metastatic disease (including right, transverse, left,
sigmoid, subtotal, total, and hemicolectomy)

3. Nutrition status: 18.5 < body mass index < 30 kg/m2, stable weight over the preceding
three months (< 10% body weight loss), serum albumin > 35g/l

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of hepatic failure (Child-Pugh score A-C and transaminases outside the normal
range)

2. Renal impairment (Serum Creatinine outside normal range)

3. Cardiac failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I-IV)

4. Hepatic, Renal, Cardiac transplant

5. Endocrine disorders: diabetes type I & II, hyper and hypothyroidism

6. Active inflammatory bowel or diverticular disease (Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative
Colitis)

7. Musculoskeletal or neuromuscular disease

8. Anemia defined as hematocrit < 30, hemoglobin < 10 g/dl, albumin < 25 mg/dl

9. Previous spine surgery or scoliosis limiting use of epidural

10. Pregnancy

11. Use of Steroids

12. Milk protein allergy or intolerance