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December 30th, 2010 | 
Author: Kidney disease is a whole new world for the person who contracts it. Everything that you eat has to be changed and carefully monitored. Some stages of kidney disease require the patient to ingest less protein, but later stages will require more protein than average once the dialysis treatment has begun. Everyone needs to have protein, not just those with kidney disease. It is vital for life. You need the right amount of protein, no matter what the condition of your kidneys, in order to remain as healthy as possible and even slow the progression of the disease. Even if you are very ill, your weakened state leaves you more prone to infections, which the proper levels of protein can fight off.
A lack of protein can be very detrimental. Your muscles are made of protein, which means that when your body is lacking protein sources from food, it will start to break down your muscles instead. This will cause your health to decline further, resulting in loss of energy, a slower recovery from injury, swelling, anemia, and changes in both blood pressure and heart rate.
A series of lab tests are performed, both to determine kidney disease and to establish which stage you are in. One such test measures the amount of protein in your system. An albumin test is performed monthly and given a close look since being low on albumin is a danger to health. It can cause extended hospital stays and an earlier death in patients who must undergo dialysis. About 3.6 ml/dl is considered to be a low level of albumin. If you have levels that low, you will most likely be instructed to take a protein supplement to ensure that you get enough protein in your day-to-day life. Your body (or anyone else’s) does not store protein, so you need to supply it through diet.
Protein comes in two types: complete and incomplete. Which type a certain protein is depends upon the amino acids that compose its structure. Nine of these amino acids are known as essential amino acids because they body cannot manufacture them on its own. They must be supplied by an outside source. Any animal-based protein will contain all nine essential amino acids, while the large majority of plant-based proteins are incomplete because they lack at least one of the essential amino acids. Soy is a notable exception, being both a complete and plant-based source of protein.
How much protein you need to have in your diet will vary greatly from person to person. You will have to consult your doctor and a nutritionist to determine your specific dietary needs, based on your stage of kidney disease, general health and general level of activity. Dialysis does not mean that your life is functionally over. Most dialysis patients lead an active life, with many of them holding full-time jobs and participating in whatever activities they love in their spare time.
All of your protein does not have to come from food. There are always protein supplements available for when food sources are just not enough or when your diet does not permit certain food sources of protein. Today, there are many protein supplements that can be delicious and effective without costing a large amount of money. Protein supplements were once known for being thick and terrible-tasting, so much so that many found them literally impossible to swallow. Thankfully, this is no longer the case.
A dialysis patient will have a more difficult time finding the right protein supplement because of the restrictions on fluids and other nutrients, namely potassium and phosphorous. You can find protein supplement drinks that are specifically tailored for dialysis patients, which are low in potassium and phosphorous and low volume, so that they can fit easily into the level of fluids allowed. Protein supplements come in other forms too, of course. You will need to consult with your dietician before making a final choice, however, just to make sure that it is appropriate for your particular needs.
Protein powders are another form of protein supplement and they come in four kinds – egg, rice, soy, and whey. Here are some things that you should know about protein powders:
- Protein powder mixed into a drink still counts against your fluid restriction, so it may be the only drink that you have for some time.
- There may be other restricted ingredients in the powder.
- If you have allergies, beware. Whey and soy in particular sometimes cause reactions. Rice, on the other hand, is hypoallergenic and should be safe for just about anyone.
Protein powders do not always have to be used with liquids. Many of these powders can be mixed into food instead, such as pudding. Whatever the case, it is still important to consult a dietician before trying anything new.
Protein supplements come in many forms beyond powders, including protein bars, puddings and protein supplement shots. One of the latter is a form of liquid protein from Protica called Profect. Profect is distinctive because of its size and ease. It is less than three fluid ounces, but it contains 25 grams of protein in that tiny serving and no added fat or sugar. Not only that, but Profect also contains all of the vitamin C that you will need for the day and 10 percent of the B complex vitamins. Since it is temperature-stable, Profect can also be stored in the car or carried around all day long without having to store it in a refrigerator.
Another source of protein to look into is the protein bar. These have to be scrutinized extra carefully, however, because some of them have ingredients that are best avoided by many people. Avoid protein bars that have added fat or sugar, especially if you are restricted in how much of either ingredient you may consume. Calorie count is not always a concern for kidney patients, but for many it is, so the ingredients of anything that is eaten must always be kept in mind. Avoiding complications by avoiding unhealthy foods is a relatively easy way to stay in optimum shape.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for renal care patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
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Our kidneys do a lot of work to help keep us healthy. They are responsible for filtering out waste from our blood. They release hormones that regulate blood pressure. Our kidneys process more than 18 gallons of blood each and every hour of the day, and filter more than half of the fluids we take in. Unfortunately, our kidneys are susceptible to a number of ailments, from simple kidney infections to kidney stones to chronic kidney disease, which can ultimately lead to renal failure.
There are many symptoms of renal failure. Many patients have vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Others find that their urine is foamy or bubbly and that they urinate often during the night. Other symptoms include blood in urine, difficulty urinating, weight loss, pale urine and increased urination. Some of the risk factors for chronic kidney disease include hypertension, gout, diabetes and family history, and there are some ethnic groups, such as African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander, who are more susceptible to chronic kidney disease.
Kidney failure can be caused by a number of things, and often, chronic kidney disease that leads to kidney failure is fatal. Some of the factors that can cause kidney failure include dehydration, the use of diuretics, an obstruction of renal veins or arteries, major infections, muscle breakdown (called rhabodmyolysis) and hopuvolemia, which is a low blood volume which can be caused by extreme blood loss.
More than 26 million Americans are affected by chronic kidney disease and millions more are at risk of developing it. The best way to keep this disease in check is to be diagnosed in the earliest stages when the disease is at its most treatable. Many patients with chronic kidney disease are also at risk of developing heart disease, which is a major cause of death for chronic kidney disease patients. When chronic kidney disease progresses to its final stages, it can lead to kidney failure.
Proper Nutrition is Necessary for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
It is essential that patients with chronic kidney disease follow a diet that has been planned specifically for their needs, one that has been created by a physician, dietitian or nutritionist. In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, patients actually need less protein than the average, healthy person (normally, 35% of the daily caloric intake should come from protein). In the final stages, they need more because dialysis depletes the body of protein, which is needed to help rebuild tissues.
All About Protein
Protein is a macronutrient that everyone needs in their diets in order to survive. It is comprised of chains of amino acids and contains hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. Protein is a dietary source of energy and is necessary for the building, maintenance and repair of muscles and other tissues. Studies have shown that a number of serious health issues and diseases could be prevented by getting enough of the right proteins in our diets, and those who are in renal failure need different amounts of protein at different stages of their disease. There are two types of amino acids, essential and non-essential.
Essential Amino Acids – There are eight essential amino acids. They are called essential because they are amino acids that the body needs but cannot produce itself. Essential amino acids must come from dietary sources as well as protein supplements. The eight essential amino acids are: leucine, methionine, isoleucine, lysine, valine, threonine, phenylanine and tryptophan.
Non-Essential Amino Acids – These are amino acids that the body needs and can manufacture itself. The 14 non-essential amino acids are: l-arginine, glycene, apartic acid, glutamine, alanine, asparagines, histidine, cysteine, taurine, serine, cystine, proline, threonine and glutathione.
There are two different types or proteins: complete proteins and incomplete proteins. Complete proteins contain all 22 of the essential and non-essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins do not contain all of the amino acids, but when eaten in combination, can provide the nutrients needed.
Protein Supplements Can Help
Many patients in renal failure, especially those who are in the final stages, require much more protein than the average person. Because they also must maintain low-calorie, low-fat diets, many physicians and dietitians recommend that patients use protein supplements. Not only are they loaded with the protein that patients need for tissue recovery and energy, they also have plenty of other vitamins and nutrients.
There are a number of different types of protein supplements available, in addition to protein capsules (which can be taken any time with your favorite liquid, such as water, milk or juice.) The most popular types of protein supplements are protein powders, liquid proteins and protein shots.
Protein Powders: Protein powders are a popular choice for many people, probably because they are so versatile. There are many unflavored protein powders (many of these are made from rice or soy protein) that can be used in just about any recipe to add protein to every meal. There are also protein powders available in a number of delicious flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, berry, and fruit punch, which can be used to make great-tasting shakes, smoothies and slushies that can be used for meal replacements.
Liquid Protein Supplements: Liquid protein supplements can be purchased in a form that is used to mix with a number of drinks, such as juice or milk. There are also liquid protein supplements that are pre-mixed in ready-to-drink, pre-measured servings that are extremely handy because they can be taken anywhere. Some of these supplements are available in such flavors as chocolate and vanilla.
Protein Shots: These are another portable form of liquid protein supplement. These small and delicious shots of liquid protein have 25 to 30 grams of protein per serving, so even drinking one in a day will provide half of the recommended daily intake. One of the more popular protein shots available today is Profect, by Protica. This 2.9 fluid ounce drink provides 25 grams of protein and only 100 calories, as well as being low in fat and carbohydrates. Profect is available in many delicious flavors, such as Blue Raspberry and Grapefruit-Mango, and contains 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, as well as 10% of the daily recommended amount of the B complex vitamins.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
The biological need for food is simple – we need to eat so that we have energy. Even if the goal is only to sit on the couch and watch a hockey game, we still need energy to exist. The human body is an amazing machine, but it needs fuel even when it is doing nothing at all, even when it is sleeping. Every function of the human body requires energy, from the beating of our hearts to the expanding of our lungs. Our body also uses energy to grow our skin, hair and nails. If we do not have the right kind of energy in our system, then these functions will cease, not only affecting the way that we look, but also how we feel. If the deficiency continues for long enough, our health will suffer as well.
To understand how important protein can be to your body, you have to first understand the role that it plays, starting from the very minute that you begin to eat it.
Protein and the Body
Protein is one of the three macronutrients that the body needs (along with fat and carbohydrates). Protein is used to make hormones and enzymes that are used for a number of different functions. For instance, the enzymes are used to digest food, to make new cells, to create neurotransmitters, to create the RNA and DNA and to regulate sleep and ovulation. It also plays a role in:
- Creating the contractive tissue of the muscles
- Creating connective tissue
- Creating cell membranes
- Helping to create red blood cells
- Maintaining fluid balance
- Regulating the pH balance of the blood
- Contributing to the bone matrix
- Contributing to the immune system (antibodies are proteins)
- Working to build hair, skin and nails
(Source: Nelson 2009)
How Protein Creates and Uses Energy
Whenever you eat food, your body kicks off a complex reaction that results in an increase in your body temperature, a process which is called thermogenesis. In the average person who is consuming a regular meal plan, meal-induced thermogenesis is 8%. In a person that is eating a reduced calorie plan, like a diet, the number might be around half that.
Each food that you eat also can affect thermogenesis. Fat raises heat by 3%, carbs raise it by 10% and protein raises heat by 30%. The increase in heat corresponds to the effort that the body must put into breaking these nutrients down. Fat is very easy to break down and is the first to be digested and burned. Carbohydrates take a little longer and may be affected by the type that they are. All carbs are divided into two kinds: simple and complex. Simple carbs are easy for the body to digest, almost as easy as fat. The more simple carbs you consume, the more of a sugar rush that the body may see. Complex carbs are harder to digest and do not cause a sugar rush. Proteins are the last nutrient to be digested and require the most work by the body, kicking off the biggest heat generation.
During digestion, all nutrients are broken down and converted into other substances. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which will in turn be broken down and used to create new amino acids as well as hormones. Fats and carbohydrates are broken down and either burned immediately for fuel or converted to glucose, which is then sent to the glycogen “tanks” for storage and later energy use. Once the glycogen stores are filled up, the body will start storing the glucose as fat, packing the fat cells, which causes weight gain. It is a myth that protein is never turned into fat since it is treated the same way, and if there is more protein than what is needed by the body, it will be stored in the fat cells as well. Once nutrients are put into the fat cells it is all the same: fat is fat.
Eating the Right Amounts of Foods for Health and Performance
Every person needs food to survive. How much they need depends on a number of factors including age, gender, health and activity level.
Your age
There is never any greater need for protein in the human life than the first six months. A baby needs 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of his body weight during that time period. A super buff body builder, on the other hand, may need as much as 1.6 grams per kg of body weight. Protein needs slowly decrease until the age of 19. After age 55, however, the need will increase slightly once again.
Your Gender
Because they are typically bigger, men need more protein than women, however, the gram per kilogram need might be the same. For instance, men and women doing the same level of exercise and in the same age group may need about .8 grams of protein per kg of body weight, but because a man weighs more, he will by default need more total grams per day. The only exception would be during pregnancy, when a woman needs a minimum of 60 grams of protein per day. (Medio-consult Nutrition Services)
Your Health
For those who are in general good health, the protein need will be fairly even for life, however, some conditions can cause the need to go up or down. Protein requirements may decrease if there is liver or kidney disease as well as other conditions. However, in some conditions, the protein need may be increased. Extra protein might be needed for those who are at risk for or are being treated for bed sores, and after surgery, trauma, burns and serious illness. It is important that you do not exceed the recommended safe level of protein without a doctor’s advice, regardless of your health condition.
Your Activity Level
Obviously, if you are only sitting on the couch watching the hockey game, you do not need the same amount of protein that one of the linesmen in the game would need. To get an idea of how much protein that you need, you can get a rough estimate by first converting your body weight to kilograms. To do so, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. To get an idea of how much protein you should be eating per day, multiply your answer by .4 if you are sedentary, .5 to .8 if you are fairly active (you exercise at least 30 minutes per day 2-3 days per week) and by .8 to 1 gram if you are very active (you exercise 30-60 minutes per day at least four days per week). A body builder may need slightly more, but will still need to limit protein intake as well.
Protein Supplements
If you don’t have the time or the willpower to eat correctly, using a protein supplement may be the answer that you are looking for. There are several kinds of protein supplements to choose from. The easiest are the tiny, liquid protein shot which are more portable than some of the other options. Look for portability, palatability and, of course, good nutrition and high quality ingredients. Profect, the liquid protein shot from Protica, has over 17 high quality ingredients and comes in a unique plastic vial and several different flavors. It is slightly more than two ounces, gives over a full gram of protein and has only 100 calories. Other supplement types include the protein shakes, powders, puddings and protein bars.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for diabetic patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
Protein supplementation for renal care patients might, at first glance, appear irrelevant. Especially since the kidneys, to most people, are more for clearing out the impurities in the blood rather than proteins. However, an understanding of how the kidneys work might enable you to understand why protein supplements might be of benefit in the case of kidney problems or even complete renal failure.
Most people know that their kidneys are responsible for producing urine that is passed to the bladder for storage prior to the urination that is triggered by pressure on the bladder. However, if you suffer, or have suffered from, kidney problems- you might have a better appreciation of how the kidneys affect the protein in the blood. This is particularly true if your renal care involves dialysis, because of complete renal failure.
In addition to removing blood impurities, one particular function of the kidneys is to allow proteins to remain in the blood. The kidneys actively prevent blood protein from being passed thru the urine. The impact this has on the need for protein supplementation; is that impaired kidneys can fail to carry out this function. Keep in mind that they kidneys are active in enabling proteins to remain in blood circulation, rather than being passed as waste.
What that means is that the proteins would be extracted into the urine if the kidneys did not actively prevent it. So, faulty kidneys can allow the blood protein to be lost. Additionally, amino acids the metabolism extracts from proteins are lost and not used by your body. Amino acids are essential in creating new proteins which enable your body’s biochemistry to maintain life. If you lose too much of your blood proteins- you could become extremely ill.
This is one of the reasons why kidney failure is so serious: not just because your blood is not properly filtered of impurities, but also because of the potential loss of protein. Thus, if you suffer from kidney problems and are a renal care patient, you should take protein concentrates.
The protein needs of renal care patients, particularly those on dialysis, are enormous. Many doctors would recommend that you take at least 2 grams of protein per kilogram of your ideal weight, not your actual weight, but your ideal weight. This should be done without any of the fluid retention that kidney problems can cause. So if your ideal weight is 11 stone, or 70 Kg, you should take 140g protein each day.
The easiest way to take this is in the form of concentrated protein supplements; in a form that is easily assimilated into your body. Keep in mind that this does not mean 140g of chicken, but of raw protein (without the water, fat, or carbohydrate content). Naturally this is not cut and dry but knowing this, you should easily be able to meet your protein needs. Because many dialysis patients have difficulty retaining a normal diet, a palatable protein supplement makes it easier for the patient’s body to assimilate and retain important nutrients and proteins.
Well formulated protein supplementation will provide you with protein in a form that is easily converted into amino acids, unlike some foodstuffs that do not already contain the amino acids needed to help process the proteins that renal care patients require for their good health.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright
The phrase cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed, one doesn’t typically hear the word used, or see it printed, unless it points to yet another distressing fact — that high cholesterol is the number one factor for coronary heart disease, and the primary cause of heart attacks [i].
However, cholesterol is, in itself, not a negative thing. It actually performs a huge role in the formation of the body’s cell membranes and helps insulate nerves and regulate hormones. The drawback with cholesterol subsequently lays not in cholesterol itself, but the amount of cholesterol present in the bloodstream. This condition is known as hypercholesterolemia.
Too much cholesterol within the body’s blood is unable to dissolve easily and cannot be easily carried to cells using the carrier LDL or low-density lipoprotein. Bad cholesterol builds up and interferes with the arteries’ capability to move blood to the brain and to the heart. LDL cholesterol build-up often trigger heart attack and stroke [ii].
It’s not easy to reduce one’s cholesterol levels. Though reducing or eliminating certain foods from diet is a vital first step for most individuals, some that suffer from hypercholesterolemia require medical interventions to immediately start decreasing their risk of heart attack or stroke. Dozens of cholesterol-lowering drugs are on the market that have unfortunate side effects such as increasing liver enzymes, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle tenderness [iii]. The out-of-pocket costs of those statin drugs can also be cost prohibitive for those not covered by a comprehensive drug plan.
However, a natural product referred to as policosinol is generating an uncommon amount of attention – both positive and negative – from the medical community in light of its purported cholesterol decreasing capacity. It is natural because it’s derived from honeybee and sugarcane wax and in addition is alleged to have no other side effects besides increasing blood circulation, preventing plaque buildup in arteries (atherosclerosis), and reduce platelet clumps [iv].
Studies support that policosinol can be utilized as a high LDL cholesterol remedy. Researchers at the University of Bonn reviewed 60 clinical trials in 2002 involving 3000 patients which concluded cautiously that policosinol is an alternative choice to statin drugs although additional testing is needed [v].
There are some who’re nonetheless skeptical concerning the effects of policosinol and consider it as more of a wonder cure than an actual remedy.
Many point out that policosinol isn’t FDA approved. As such, it has not been subjected to the rigorous testing that comes with approving a new drug, including supervised preclinical trials and standardized testing in successively larger populations of people. The fact that the FDA approves 1 out of 5000, or .0002 of the applications that it receives for new drug approval, is a sign of how highly valued – and rare – this approval is.
However, this instigates another debate – whether the FDA approval process is the most appropriate solution to accept drugs into drug plans, and whether doctors should be permitted to prescribe non-FDA-approved drugs without undue concerns for malpractice lawsuits. Indeed, an MD could have personally benefited from a natural remedy like policosinol, but to prescribe that to a patient requires more support than personal preference, or even personal testimony.
And it is the intersection of these two separate debates — whether policosinol works or not, and whether or not the FDA approval process is fair or not – that the situation, and verdict on policosinol, currently lies. This debate makes it frustrating for all sides, particularly for those who just want a good solution.
There is currently an effort occurring to develop or discover a safe and free from side-effects remedy. Additional research on policosinol will further clarify whether that step needs to be towards FDA approval, or towards a warning label.
REFERENCES
[i] Source: “Heart Mender”. CNN.Com. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/science.medicine/pro.pridker.html
[ii] Source: “Cholesterol”. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4488
[iii] Source: “Statin Medications: What are the Side Effects?”. Mayoclinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00587
[iv] Source: “Policosinol “. Wholehealthmd.com. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10127,00.html
[v] Source: “Policosinol : clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent”. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Am Heart J. 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for dialysis patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright