Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

[Sara]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

Nepro Carb Steady was designed as a supplement for people on dialysis although it can be used pre-dialysis if included in the protein count. It is acceptable for people with diabetes or without. Here's the nutrient content for one 8 ounce can:
Calories 425
Protein 19.1 g
Carbohydrate 39.4 g
Fiber 3.7 g
Sugar 5.9 g
Fat 22.7 g
Cholesterol 6.5 mg
Sodium, potassium and calcium 250 mg each
Phosphorus 170 mg
It is quite concentrated--one can provides 170 ml fluid (about 5-2/3 ounces)

For comparison, 3 ounces of meat has approximately 200 calories (less if lean), 21 grams protein, 300 mg potassium, 195 mg phosphorus. Drinking a can of Nepro provides nutrition similar to 3 ounces of roast beef on white bread with mayonnaise and 1/2 cup of cranberry juice.

DaVita Dietitian Sara

[Earthsong]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

Why is the diet low protein before dialysis and high protein after you begin dialysis - very confusing

[Maria]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

When food is broken down, or metabolized, urea is formed. This is especially true of foods with protein. The kidneys help clear urea, and when they don't work well, the urea can build up in the bloodstream and may cause problems. Hence, prior to starting dialysis, the diet for someone with kidney disease may be restricted in protein.

Once the person is on dialysis and urea (uremic toxins) is being cleared by an artificial kidney, the diet can become more liberalized. This is because the blood is being cleaned of the urea, in a similar fashion to when the kidneys worked better, so more can be taken in.

The person's remaining kidney function will indicate to the physician how limited or restricted the diet should be. This assessment can be made by testing the levels of urea, among other things, in the blood.

A big goal for kidney patients is to maintain adequate nutrition status without adding too much to the burden of urea... and it's sometimes a challenge and confusing.

Hope this helps somewhat, and good luck!

[Marina]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

Why is the diet low protein before dialysis and high protein after you begin dialysis - very confusing

Dialysis removes alot of protein, so we must eat more to compensate for it and not become malnurished.
Also studies have shown that dialysis patients who have an albumin of 4.0 or higher do better healthwise than those on the low 3's (oh no I'm on of those )

[AKA]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

I just sent this reply to another post but it might be helpful here too:
---------------------
New to this forum and new to dialysis!

I met with my dietitian today. My first months labs were quite good except for protein at 3.7. Since I am a vegetarian, she suggested a few supplements to increase protein. I eat protein at every meal but it will be tough to get enough I guess. I have not tried any of these yet but here are the names in case they can help others with their protein intake:

NOVASOURCE RENAL By Nestle Nutrition. nestlenutrition.com/us. This is a liquid supplement (475 calorie, 17.4 g protein per 8 oz, this does contain corn syrup...) They also have Beneprotein (Whey & Soy powder formula 7 g protein per 1 1/2 tablespoons - this is a powder that can be put on food or in drinks. Lastly, NECTAR from Syntrax, www.syntrax.com. (Whey protein isolate, Strawberry Kiwi & other flavors, 12 g protein per 0.5 oz. This is a powder formula also.

Again, I have not tried these yet, just passing along the info.

I apologize if I am posting in the wrong area here or if being new to posting on a board means saying nothing until you have been around awhile. I have been reading a great deal of the info here and see why so many are frustrated due to the lack of direct answers from the medical community. I am a researcher at a biochemistry and molecular physiology lab in the currently in the US then back home to the UK, and yes, I have CKD and need to maintain my privacy. Again, please LMK if this is unacceptable and I will stick to just reading rather than posting.

Protein appears to be a large portion of the discussion here in one form or another as it should be. However it appears not much light has been shown on the subject in regard to solutions. Maybe what I have to share will amount to nothing as well but from a scientists and patients point of view I feel I possibly can contribute at least something my son and I are excited about and sent this letter to the company who made it possible as well.

Clearly A Better Choice Commonly Not Taken Before Death

We as consumers are a strange lot to say the least. Regardless of how much evidence and validation is presented to us conflicting our beliefs we tend to hold onto the old ways though they continue to be proven the least healthy and even life threatening. The real oddity is that we sling mud at the answer to what ails us while still embracing that which is doing severe harm to our bodies. Is the media really that strong or is it us that is that weak?

1) More than half a billion eggs have been recalled this summer due to salmonella contamination.

2) FDA’s Investigation: On March 23, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Irvington, N.J.-based Westco Fruit and Nut Co., Inc. (Westco/Westcott) to voluntarily recall all of its products containing peanuts from PCA because of the contamination threat. Westco/Westcott refused. On April 8, 2009, the FDA served Westco/Westcott with an inspection warrant in an attempt to gain access to the company’s distribution records.
On April 27, 2009, at the request of the FDA, U.S. Marshals seized $34,500 worth of PCA peanuts and products containing PCA peanuts at Westco/Westcott because of possible Salmonella contamination.
Peanut Corporation of America Provides Further Information Regarding Recalled Products
The Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has announced that because of its bankruptcy proceedings, it is no longer able to communicate with customers of recalled products.
PCA customers should contact FDA recall coordinators regarding the proper disposition of recalled products.
As of January 27, 2009, over 500 reports of salmonella food poisoning have been repored in 43 states involving the same strain of bacteria. More than 100 people have been hospitalized and at least 8 salmonella deaths have been linked to contaminated peanut butter.

3) Protein is not be the only thing that some muscle-building energy drinks contain.

In a newly released study by Consumer Reports, potentially hazardous heavy metals were also found in the popular protein elixirs.

"All drinks in our tests had at least one sample containing one or more of the following contaminants: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury," the report stated. "Those metals can have toxic effects on several organs in the body."

Specifically, Consumer Reports tested 15 different protein drinks, and came to the conclusion that there are "better and cheaper ways" for a person to supplement protein. Among the drinks the advocacy group tested were BSN Lean Dessert Protein Shake, Muscle Milk, GNC Lean Shake Chocolate, and the Energy First Pro Energy Whey Protein Isolate.

And stil we continue to buy, ingest, feed our kids and even defend the poisons we ingest. Point said, we are a strange lot in regard to being consumers.

Everyone is Susceptible

Both my son an I are dealing with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) due to causes not yet known for certain, though my own is likely due to a serious injury that damaged a arge area of my right kidney. Our doctors believe it was a combination of high protein intake that produces a lot of negative waste for the kidneys to handle and our levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are at a cyto-toxic level. I would think ANY amount of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury would be considerer toxic and too much? So why is it okay to have it in our foods with salmonella and other health threatening ingredients? Approximately 1 out of 10 people in the UK have CKD. 26 million Americans have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk daily. The number is growing yearly and a major concern shows its ugly head as our food supplies are being largely unregulated by the FDA. Did you know that the FDA actually sets a "limit" for how much of each deadly substance can be in our foods? This seems a very cavalier way of accepting the inclusion in foods of substances that are not only deadly but accumulate over time in our bodies thus shortening our lives and good health!

I was a long time natural competitive bodybuilder and power lifter using all of the top protein sources from food to supplements. I weighed 113kg average with under 10% body fat then dropped to 81.3kg as the disease progressed. My son at 11 weighed 23.6kg though he did weigh 33.5kg. He is in stage 3 CKD looking for a kidney donor and I am nearing stage 5 preparing for dialysis. CKD is an incurable disease like so many others that require very high quality protein intake and we are very limited as to how much total protein we can eat due to toxic waste from the protein. Being sick all of the time is no joy and malnutrition adds to the rate of decline.

About 10 weeks ago my clinical nutritionalist offered an alternative to the meek protein level of intake we were able to ingest due to toxic waste. He said it was something he uses personally and can only tell us about. The product was brought to him by a patient who swears she feels better than she has in years due to use and most of her discussion group is now using it. Being as a degree in nutrition is required in my field I did some research and found the science behind it appeared sound so gave it a shot. That was 9 weeks ago. I have more energy, feel the best I have in 3 years and I weigh 87kg now. I am even back to some basic power training. I followed the guidelines for use and gave the nutritional product to my son starting 5 weeks ago and he is up 2.5kg and wants to play sports again. We visited our Nephrologists about 3 days ago for review of our most recent blood and urine tests. His response was not what we expected. Both my son and I realized a dramatic reduction in protein waste and loss, a decrease in our creatinine and an increase in eGFR. This means both of us have realized an improvement in kidney function and over all health. Our doctor assured us this does not mean a cure has been found but the nutritional supplement appears to have taken a significant load off of our kidneys and allowed our over all health to improve when nothing else has. Being back in a positive nitrogen balance with near 0 waste is quite a gift at this point. The name of the product is HumaPro and is made by a company in the USA called ALR Industries. No Lead, arsenic, mercury, salmonella, animal by-products and it vegetarian friendly. The product has a NNU to NC ratio of 99:1 (Net Nitrogen Utilization to Nitrogenic catabolites) As for me, I am starting to look like a bodybuilder again my son can be proud of while he is playing Rugby this Saturday. After a great deal of research I have learned a few things most here likely already know:

eGFR is a guess not a fact. Lean muscle mass levels predict this far more than creatinine levels alone. The only valid test we use in the lab is an inulin load test. My eGFR was 11, yet my actual clearance rate is 40 due to higher levels of lean muscle tissue. So am I stage 5 or 3?

I have learned that whey protein has a NNU to NC ratio of 16:84 (Yes, 84% toxic waste for our kidneys to deal with) and most whole meats are 32:68.


I want to thank ALR Industries for giving us a far better choice!

AKA and my precious son

[jenjen76]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

Wow that is amazing!!!!!!!!!so awesome!!!!!!!! I will definately check it out ,please keep us posted how it continues!!

[AKA]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

Well, just back from my son's first rugby practice. He had to quite a few minutes early, just not up to 100% yet I guess. 2 months ago he couldn't have walked the field without a break so pretty rewarding and nice to see that smile again. Seems that using this HumaPro as a complete protein replacement is working out quite nicely for both of us. We both go in for plasma amino acid testing to be certain we are not deficient on any or out of ratio for best health and recovery. Being a scientist I keep waiting for the chronic results to show a decline but thus far it seems to better by the day. Friday we did a 24 hour nitrogen test. This is a procedure that allows us to see how much protein nitrogen is ingested, the NNU, and the excretion amount or NC. Our last one was less than 10% NNU was retained. Funny how many people with CKD, PKU, Chron's .and a few other diseases I have recently met who are using this HumaPro and sharing the same tells. Time will tell but the last 2 months have been some of the best months of my life. We take so much for granted or put things off until its too late.

Thanks everyone for giving me a place to talk about this stuff. In my position it would be political suicide with the board members.

[Orange]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

HI,

Just like to share my search on dietary supplements that may be of help to kidney dialysis. I have done some literature search for a friend on hemodialysis last month. Put up a blog on the find with links to scientific papers. Not sure if you guys may want to take a look?.

http://hkkidsup.blogspot.com

- Orange

[Author]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

Well, just back from my son's first rugby practice. He had to quite a few minutes early, just not up to 100% yet I guess. 2 months ago he couldn't have walked the field without a break so pretty rewarding and nice to see that smile again. Seems that using this HumaPro as a complete protein replacement is working out quite nicely for both of us. We both go in for plasma amino acid testing to be certain we are not deficient on any or out of ratio for best health and recovery. Being a scientist I keep waiting for the chronic results to show a decline but thus far it seems to better by the day. Friday we did a 24 hour nitrogen test. This is a procedure that allows us to see how much protein nitrogen is ingested, the NNU, and the excretion amount or NC. Our last one was less than 10% NNU was retained. Funny how many people with CKD, PKU, Chron's .and a few other diseases I have recently met who are using this HumaPro and sharing the same tells. Time will tell but the last 2 months have been some of the best months of my life. We take so much for granted or put things off until its too late.

Thanks everyone for giving me a place to talk about this stuff. In my position it would be political suicide with the board members.

I hope this is not an improper post. If so, then please LMK and I will continue to visit for up dates others are kind enough to share. Thank you.

AKA: I am the scientist that developed HumaPro, and, though I was unaware when beginning research 13 years ago, I have CKD as well. 3 years ago my eGFR was 15 but has remained above 39 since 45 days after beginning the product use during our clinical utilization and safety study. Seems my eGFR is currently increasing about 2 points per 6 month period thus far. This has been confirmed with yearly inulin test as well. We have completed other long term projects since in the same area as this is a personal goal to help others as I feel fortunate to be able. And AKA, I have a son as well who had very high uric acid both blood and urine validated whose kidney function was declining but is normal currently. I too blame whey protein for much of the nephron damage and inflammation. In our safety study we found whey protein to result in an average of 82% waste product and only slightly less in healthy subjects to note. I want to thank you for being one of the many that have shared your results as it empowers us to continue. Please note that this is not a cure nor medical advise. Speak to your medical professionals before utilizing anything not in your approved dietary and/or medication guide-lines. Thank you all for letting me share.

[pdfirst]

Re: Nephro Dietary Supplement??????

I called the kidney Foundation and they said they would pay for supplements

[arlenefun]

My mother has stage 4 kidney disease. I sent for Humapro. How often do you use it per day? Is it safe to have that much protein more than once a day, or does it break down differently than protein drinks like boost?
She has been using Boost high protein and recently the Kidney Specialist recommended Nepro, which is too expensive for us and we can't get it through our insurance. She is 89 and we are trying to keep her from dialysis if possible

[newkidneys]

I was wondering when I m being cannualized the tech now bends the wing over against the grain and tapes it down and my site always hurts all day after , is this normal and should or even why is she doing this very different thing now since I ve been on dialysis 6/18/12 they have never did this before , any answers?

[DevonTexas]

Tell her not to because it hurts you. If she has a reason to do it, she should explain it to you. Don't be passive. If you experience pain, that's not good and you shouldn't put up with it.

Devon