Arla Foods Ingredients unveils high-protein beverage for chronic kidney disease patients

10 Aug 2022 --- Denmark-based Arla Foods Ingredients is unveiling two high-protein products for people suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both products use the new protein ingredient Lacprodan BLG-100, consisting of a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage with 7% protein and a shot format with 21% protein.

“The dilemma is that for a CKD patient, phosphorus accumulation in the body increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes and may lead to cardiovascular disease, whereas the alternative is reducing protein intake and gradually losing significant muscle mass (muscle atrophy),” says Mads Dyrvig, head of health and performance sales development at Arla Ingredients. 

“Both conditions increase mortality risk while muscle atrophy also decreases the quality of life for patients,” he adds.

According to the company, CKD affects more than 850 million adults annually and accounts for one million deaths. With a progressive decline in kidney function, difficulties in maintaining the daily required intake of protein increase. 

Additionally, Arla Ingredients flags that it is challenging to avoid overconsuming excessive minerals, such as sodium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

High in protein, low in mineralsLow mineral intake is of extra importance for people in dialysis. (Credit: Arla Foods Ingredients) 
Apart from the high protein levels, the RTD beverage contains 10% fat and 20% carbohydrates aiming to support people with CKD in stages one to five who are not in dialysis – the process of removing fluids or products from the blood when the kidneys are not able.

Arla Ingredients explains the use of Lacprodan BLG-100 provides the product with minimal phosphorus content compared to alternatives. 

“Our 100% pure BLG ingredient is rich in essential amino acids and leucine, so it contains high-quality proteins, which meet the nutritional needs of CKD and ESRD patients. It is also low in phosphorus and hence is a great solution for medical nutrition products because it enables the supplementation of protein without compromising requirements for a low mineral intake,” Dyrvig underscores.

The second product – a shot format – is a high protein solution that aims to help people living with CKD who are in dialysis treatment. They have a higher protein intake requirement with a limited fluid intake. 

“This application is ideal for supporting the control of phosphorous levels in the body while also getting high-quality protein into the diet,” the company notes.

Essential but in moderation
CKD patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore increased mortality risk due to problems in exhibiting vitamin K. However, previous studies on animals have shown potential to inhibit vascular calcification when the vitamin is combined with phosphate binders. 

“While minerals are essential to life, too much is serious if your body has a reduced capacity to excrete it. The nutritional challenge for someone with CKD is that many foods we eat, such as meat and dairy, are rich in phosphorus. People diagnosed with CKD are advised to reduce dietary protein intake significantly,” says Dyrvig.

“Most commercially available oral nutritional supplements contain a relatively high mineral content, including phosphorus. Arla Foods Ingredients can close this gap in the market with Lacprodan BLG-100, which is low in minerals, has an excellent nutritional profile and offers great benefits in terms of muscle preservation,” he concludes. 

Edited by Beatrice Wihlander