Protein Supplement Drinks & Dialysis

Regardless what type dialysis you're on, it's important to avoid the protein deprivation, wasting and anorexia that dog so many patients who have reached end-stage kidney disease. While specialists in renal nutrition do not speak to the differences between protein supplement drinks and other protein supplements, the value of protein supplements is worth exploring with your nephrologist if you are on dialysis.

Problem

Peritoneal dialysis involves filling the peritoneal cavity with a dialyzing solution, letting it dwell and removing it from a catheter in the belly. Hemodialysis involves cleaning the blood using a dialysis machine. The patient's blood flows into the machine, where it is cleaned and then returned back to the patient. Regardless which technique you choose, protein loss is a problem for both peritoneal and hemodialysis patients.

Causes

Causes for this protein loss are readily identified. Writing in the July 2003 "Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy," R. Mehrotra and J.D. Kopple state that "protein-energy malnutrition in peritoneal dialysis patients as caused by inflammation, low nutrient intake, nutrient losses during dialysis, metabolic acidemia, coexisting illnesses, and possibly the endocrine disorders of uremia." All of these problems are common to patients on hemodialysis as well.

Solutions

While some speak to the value of protein supplements, none distinguish between protein supplement drinks and other types of protein supplements. Writing in the 2011 issue of "Renal Failure" researchers found that oral supplementation with amino acids helped hemodialysis patients. These patients had lower levels of C reactive protein, better serum albumen and less anemia.

In the September, 2009 issue of the "Journal of Renal Nutrition," results of a study showed that supplementation with tryptophan-fortified, collagen protein supplement administrated during hemodialysis helped improve wasting.

These studies typify most research in the area which speaks to the need for protein supplements, rather than protein supplement drinks.

Warning

Never start taking a protein supplement without consulting your renal dietitian or nephrologist. The nutritional status of kidney patients is too complex to take supplements without consulting your doctor. Supplements must be low in potassium, phosphorus and vitamin A . Your renal dietitian can recommend supplement for you to take if you need a supplement.

References

• "Renal Failure"; A Novel Amino Acids Oral Supplementation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Pilot Study; P. Bolasco, et al.; 2011
• "Seminars in Dialysis"; Getting to the Meat of the Matter: Beyond Protein Supplementation in Maintenance Dialysis; J.L. Bailey, et al.; September/October 2009
• "Journal of Renal Nutrition"; Oral Protein Supplementation Alone Improves Anabolism in a Dose-Dependent Manner in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients; M. B. Sundell, et al.; September 2009
• "Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy"; Protein and Energy Nutrition Among Adult Patients Treated with Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis; R. Mehrotra, et al.; July 2003
• DaVita; Protein and Your Peritoneal Dialysis Diet