Arla Foods Ingredients’ new protein ingredient, Lacprodan BLG-100, has been determined by the company to be suitable for use in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
 
CKD is a progressive decline in kidney function which may eventually lead to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It affects 850 million adults worldwide and accounts for one million deaths each year. When renal functions deteriorate, CKD patients find it difficult to maintain sufficient intake of protein while avoiding excessive intake of minerals such as phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and calcium.
 
Arla Foods Ingredients is introducing two solutions using Lacprodan BLG-100 to demonstrate how manufacturers can create products to help CKD patients. One is a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage with 7% protein, 10% fat, and 20% carbohydrates to support people with stages 1-5 CKD who are not in dialysis.
 
The second option is a high-protein shot solution, which has been specifically formulated for the dietary management of people living with CKD who are in dialysis, and who have fluid intake limitations or high protein requirements. This application is ideal for supporting the control of phosphorous levels in the body while also getting high-quality protein into the diet.
 
“While minerals are essential to life, too much is a serious issue if your body has a reduced capacity to excrete it. The nutritional challenge for someone with CKD is that many of the foods we eat, such as meat and dairy, are rich in phosphorous,” said Mads Dyrvig, head of health and performance sales development at Arla Foods Ingredients. “People diagnosed with CKD are advised to reduce dietary protein intake significantly. 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). Both conditions increase mortality risk while muscle atrophy also decreases the quality of life for patients.”
 
“The majority of commercial available oral nutritional supplements contain a relatively high mineral content, including phosphorous,” Dyrvig continued. “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.”
 
Because Lacprodan BLG-100 is rich in essential amino acids and leucine, it contains high-quality proteins while meeting the nutritional needs of CKD and ESRD patients, Dyrvig said, as it fits in with requirements for a low mineral intake.
 
Earlier this year, the ingredient received a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), confirming it is suitable for food products in the EU.