Here is a way to raise protein and albumin without eating meat.

[Maggie and Jeff]

     An answer (in part) for all ya'll out there dealing with lack of energy and low protein or albumin numbers. I have had a protein leak for about 4 years now,I was very tired ALL the time and my protein and albumin were very low.

      My dietitian wanted me to eat more meat than was humanly possible! (at least for me) anyway Jeff got on the net and found these protein pills called "Proteinex". They have helped me so much it's amazing raises albumin (and protein) and consequently gives me alot more energy, I still get tired but not near as much.

      To make a long story,well not short but at least not AS long the pills are made up of ~ you guessed it~ Protein! No Phosphorous, no Potassium, no sodium, just protein.

     It comes in tablets (Chewable but I just swallow them) and liquid. The liquid tastes AWFUL I hear. Jeff tried it and told the dietitian not to bother " no way would Maggie swallow that on purpose!"

     They cost about $25 per 120 tablets and I have to take quite a few (less now that my numbers are up) I am down to 7 a day 2 in the morning 3 after dialysis and 2 again at night. But as a dialysis patient and even before dialysis I have to swallow so many pills they aren't really all that noticeable.

     These are not a prescription drug so insurance does not cover them at all.  We get them from "Surgical World" 7 bottles of 120 tablets for $144.  that breaks down to $20.57 per bottle shipped and that is lasting about three months.

     Anybody out there with a protein leak or low albumin should give these a try they have done wonders for me.

     Jeff is going to put in some info on obtaining them, my knowledge of computers is limited and Jeff does most of our computer work while I am "on machine" allowing him to be close but not hovering and twiddling his thumbs for 2.5 hours a day.

    So try these pills and Good Luck!

    I think you will feel better and be in better health, they helped me cure an infection that had all the doc's scratching their collective heads!!!



                                   One of these pictures is the label off the bottle the other is a list of places you can buy it from.






EDITED: Moved to Dialysis General Discussion - Sluff/Admin

[kitkatz]

Please check with your nephrologist before taking anything new. 


These look interesting.

[Maggie and Jeff]

Please check with your nephrologist before taking anything new. 

Yes, always check with your nephrologist first before you try anything new. 

Thanks Kitkatz

[Zach]

The problem with some of these protein supplements is that they may not include all the necessary amino acids and in the correct ratios to work correctly for people on hemodialysis.  Many times they are not derived from "high quality" protein, which comes from animals, such as eggs, beef, chicken and fish.  Whey protein is one of the best sources for supplementation and has a complete amino acid profile.

[Maggie and Jeff]

Yeah I try to eat as much protien as I can I just know this stuff has really saved my bitt and kept my numbers good, so I really like it! Also I can't take the whey protein

[BigSky]

The problem with some of these protein supplements is that they may not include all the necessary amino acids and in the correct ratios to work correctly for people on hemodialysis.  Many times they are not derived from "high quality" protein, which comes from animals, such as eggs, beef, chicken and fish.  Whey protein is one of the best sources for supplementation and has a complete amino acid profile.

Also the cost per serving of protein is pretty cheap with whey.  Mine is roughly .40 cents a serving (23 grams protein)

[Zach]

Also the cost per serving of protein is pretty cheap with whey.  Mine is roughly .40 cents a serving (23 grams protein)

Which brand do you use?  And how's the phosphorus?

[BigSky]

Its EAS  5 pounds for just over $30.00. 

Phosphorus isnt listed.   Potassium is 140mg a serving.  Figure Phosphorus is roughly the same as other whey powders as my labs havent changed from when I have used other whey products.

[ReneeP]

Okay, I have a question.  I am on peritoneal dialysis and my protein and albumin are always low.  Not WAY low just enough to get me bit### at every month when I have labs and to be very tired all the time.  I have not heard from my dietician about any of these.  I printed out the info that Maggie and Jeff put on here to talk with my people about but I also have not heard of "whey", could someone explain?

I appreciate the info!

Renee

[Zach]

I printed out the info that Maggie and Jeff put on here to talk with my people about but I also have not heard of "whey", could someone explain?

Unfortunately, not all dialysis centers are doing a good job at providing nutritional information.  And not all dietitians are good at what they do.

In many ways we need to take more control of our health, and what we eat is part of the solution (or part of the problem).
As a person on PD, you may actually need to consume more protein than a person on HD.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, a person on Peritoneal Dialysis needs from 1.2 to 1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.  Now of course each person has different circumstances (under weight or over weight), but adjusting for those issues, the Guidelines are important to follow.



http://www.kidney.org/professionals/kdoqi/guidelines_updates/nut_a16.html

[monrein]

The protein supplement my naturopath suggested is SON formula.  She says it's superior to whey as more of it is readily absorbed (99%) versus (84%).  I don't use it yet but am considering it.  She consulted with another naturopath who has a transplant and I gave the information on it to my dietician when I was pre-dialysis.  The dietician worried I'd end up with too much protein.

[Zach]

The protein supplement my naturopath suggested is SON formula.  She says it's superior to whey as more of it is readily absorbed (99%) versus (84%).

I went to their site.  Overloaded with information, which makes me a bit skeptical. One of the most important facts missing is a list of the amino acids included and at what amounts.

All proteins are made up of amino acids, but not all proteins are "complete" proteins, which is determined by which amino acids are included and at what amounts.  There are supplements out there which are "incomplete proteins" and are less effective with those on a limited diet such as the renal diet.

All I am saying is buyer beware--especially persons on dialysis.

[monrein]

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/son-formula-tablets.html

I'd never rely solely on internet info or manufacturer info.  I found this other link (above) that lists the amino acid profile but it really means nothing to me Zach.  Curious what you think of it.  My dietician thought it looked good but she worried that I'd have to forego dietary protein altogether.  I started looking into it when I was pre-dialysis and worried about malnutrition since I was eating nothing to speak of.

[Zach]

My dietician thought it looked good but she worried that I'd have to forego dietary protein altogether.

That's just silly, since one tablet (1,000 mg) seems to be the equivalent of only 2.5 grams of "high biological value dietary proteins."

The PDR information is interesting and it does include the amino acid profile.  Thanks.  The product does have the essential amino acids, but only the 7 and none of the non-essential amino acids.  And remember, also, PDR information is supplied by the company.

In general, I've been trying to figure these things out for years.  Most dietitians at centers are not educated enough in nutritional sciences to address this complicated issue.  And the blovation by the company in its description of its product seems to insure a lack of full understanding. 

What I try to do is simply look at how a supplement's amino acid profile (in milligrams not grams) stacks up against excellent sources of protein (and amino acids) such as eggs and fish.  Using an Excel spread sheet helps.  There's a lot of math the company makes you do to figure out the answer.

Also, knowing what the recommended daily amounts of the different amino acids is helpful.  But as people on dialysis, we need more than just the RDA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_amino_acid

Because of my own curiosity, I'll have some answers soon.

[BigSky]

I went to their site.  Overloaded with information, which makes me a bit skeptical. One of the most important facts missing is a list of the amino acids included and at what amounts.

All proteins are made up of amino acids, but not all proteins are "complete" proteins, which is determined by which amino acids are included and at what amounts.  There are supplements out there which are "incomplete proteins" and are less effective with those on a limited diet such as the renal diet.

All I am saying is buyer beware--especially persons on dialysis.

Some of their claims, especially about other proteins, make me a bit skeptical too.  Especially the part about the double blind study.  Studies were done by:  American Nutrition Clinics, Coral Gables, Florida 33143, USA.  Did a search of for Florida and didnt find this business in the online phone book.






EAS whey protein amino acid profile  in mg

Alanine           1100
Arginine           630
Aspartic Acid    2600
Cysteine            550
Glutamic Acid   3700
Glycine              430
Histidine            430
Isoleucine        1420
Lysine              2190
Leucine            2500
Methionine         520
Phenylalanine      760
Proline              1380
Serine               1300
Threonine          1790
Tryptophan        380
Tryosine             710
Valine                1350


Total BCAA's   5270 mg             Valine 1350      Isoleucine   1420                Leucine  2500

BV= 104
PD= 100
NPU= 92

Biological Value 104    BV is the proportion of absorbed protein that is retained in the body for maintenance and or growth.
The BV calue of egg protein is defined as 100
Adapted from the Nutritional Quality of Proteins, European Dairy Association 1997

Protein Digestibility  PD the proportion of food protein absorbed.

Net Protein Utilization  NPU is the proportion of protein intake that is retained. (calculated as bv x pd)

[Zach]

BV= 104
PD= 100
NPU= 92

Biological Value 104    BV is the proportion of absorbed protein that is retained in the body for maintenance and or growth.
The BV calue of egg protein is defined as 100
Adapted from the Nutritional Quality of Proteins, European Dairy Association 1997

Protein Digestibility  PD the proportion of food protein absorbed.

Net Protein Utilization  NPU is the proportion of protein intake that is retained. (calculated as bv x pd)

These are the standards in comparing protein sources.  When a company fails to use these measurements to compare their own product with others, one must ask themselves why.  All the flow charts and science-speak won't help and if it sounds to good to be true ...

remember about lipstick and a pig?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_Value
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDCAAS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_protein_utilization

[MiSSis]

I've constantly battled low albumin levels ever since I started back on PD 5 yrs ago.  I eat some amount of protein with each meal but just can't seem to eat enough to keep my levels up.  The dietician at my unit recommended I try a protein supplement but will only approve Healthy 'n Fit 100% Egg Protein powder.  I live in the midwest and the center got one of the grocery stores in the area to carry the product.  Others in the chain (HyVee) will order it but don't currently carry it.  She gave me a recipe for a shake but it is 300 calories per serving.  I have trouble enough with the weight I've gained just from doing PD that I hesitate to add an additional 300 calories per day.  I'm just not able to be active enough to counterbalance the extra calories.  Slowly but surely I've put on 15 lbs since starting dialysis and am not having any luck at taking it off. 

The protein tablets sound interesting and like they'd be a nice alternative to the shakes for me but I'll definitely run all the information by the dietician before taking any. 

[Zach]

The dietician at my unit recommended I try a protein supplement but will only approve Healthy 'n Fit 100% Egg Protein powder.

Interesting product, since egg whites are some of the best high quality proteins.
I wonder what are Healthy 'n Fit 100% Egg Protein powder's phosphorus and potassium levels.  Egg whites are usually low in phosphorus but somewhat high in potassium.

It is difficult sometimes to juggle all this stuff--consuming enough protein (1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day) without going over phosphorus and potassium restrictions.

[Maggie and Jeff]

It is difficult sometimes to juggle all this stuff--consuming enough protein (1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day) without going over phosphorus and potassium restrictions.

That is why Maggie likes these pills so much it lets her eat other things she likes without going over phosphorus and potassium restrictions.

[Zach]

Here's some comparison on 10 grams of protein v.source.

[MiSSis]

Zach,

I'll check with my unit about the potassium and phosphorus levels in the Egg Protein powder I have.  I do know that it comes in several flavors but she told me not to buy the chocolate (which I would have preferred!) because it was higher in phosphorus.  Since I do PD, I don't normally have a problem with potassium unless it summer and fresh tomato season.  Thankfully I made it through pretty well this year!

Like you said before, it's really difficult to manage all of this. 

[Trikkechickk]

Its EAS  5 pounds for just over $30.00. 

Phosphorus isnt listed.   Potassium is 140mg a serving.  Figure Phosphorus is roughly the same as other whey powders as my labs havent changed from when I have used other whey products.

I also use EAS.  When I ordered my 2 cases of Nephro, I asked to be connected to the EAS division.  They told me that the EAS Whey Protein contained 100 grams (not sure of the unit) of phosphorus per serving.  So I decided to use the Food-Coop's whey protein w/ zero phosphorous, but now use 1 scoop of each in my morning fruit smoothie. 

BTW, my smoothie is kidney friendly;  Non-enriched rice milk, 2 scoops whey protein; blueberries and strawberries.

I am having a harder time w/meat - it grosses me out.

[BigSky]

It is difficult sometimes to juggle all this stuff--consuming enough protein (1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day) without going over phosphorus and potassium restrictions.

That is why Maggie likes these pills so much it lets her eat other things she likes without going over phosphorus and potassium restrictions.

One will also have to weight the cost factor.

24 grams of protein from those pills will run $5.00 compared to protein powder being less than .50 cents for that same serving of 24 grams of protein.

[Zach]

One will also have to weight the cost factor.

24 grams of protein from those pills will run $5.00 compared to protein powder being less than .50 cents for that same serving of 24 grams of protein.

Very good point.

[Maggie and Jeff]

Yes, I agree price is important but it also has to be swallowed to do any good and Maggie would only eat the whey if it was made into a shake that used icecream.  She does not like milk of any kind.  She only takes 7 grams of the proteinex to keep her protein and albumin at the right level and when she started them she took 9 grams per day and that raised both protein and albumin a point or two per month. The monthly cost to us for the proteinex is $36.00 and Maggie takes them.