Arla Foods Ingredients demonstrates how its new protein ingredient Lacprodan BLG-100 (purified beta-lactoglobulin) can benefit people suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

CKD is a progressive decline in kidney function, which may eventually lead to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It affects more than 850 million adults worldwide and accounts for one million deaths yearly, with these figures expected to rise. When renal functions deteriorate, CKD patients find it increasingly difficult to maintain sufficient dietary protein intake while avoiding excessive intake of minerals such as phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and calcium.

To demonstrate how manufacturers can create products to help CKD patients, Arla Foods Ingredients is introducing two solutions using Lacprodan® BLG-100: a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage with 7 percent protein and a shot format containing 21 percent protein.

The RTD has been nutritionally designed with 7 percent protein, 10 percent fat, and 20 percent carbohydrates to support people with Stage 1 to 5 Chronic Kidney Disease who are not in dialysis. The use of Lacprodan® BLG-100 means the low viscosity beverage has a minimal phosphorous content compared with the majority of other commercially available alternatives.

The second option is a high-protein shot solution, specifically formulated for the dietary management of people living with CKD who are in dialysis and 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.

Mads Dyrvig, Head of Health and Performance Sales Development, said: “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. 

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. In contrast, 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.

He continued: “The majority of commercially available Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) contain a relatively high mineral content, including phosphorous. 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.”

“Our 100 percent 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 extremely low in phosphorous 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.”

​Earlier this year, Arla Foods Ingredients’ Novel food application for Lacprodan BLG-100 received a positive EFSA opinion, confirming it is safe and suitable for food products in the EU. Furthermore, Lacprodan® BLG-100 recently received the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI) 2022 Breakthrough Award for Dairy Ingredient Innovation.

About Arla Foods Ingredients

​Arla Foods Ingredients is a global leader in value-added whey solutions. We discover and deliver ingredients derived from whey, supporting the food industry with the development and efficient processing of more natural, functional and nutritious foods. We serve global markets within early life nutrition, medical nutrition, sports nutrition, health foods and other foods and beverage products.