hello everyone, I saw several old posts about Albutrix, the ketoanalogue supplement, not completely said the outcome of their experiments. I text some of those members who posted their starting experience, but no one responded. As I said their posts were 3 years old. However, I like to ask anyone who had a good or bad experience with Albutrix to share their experience with me. Thanks in advance.
Albutrix : hello everyone, I saw several old... - Kidney Disease
Albutrix
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Hi Futureckd - I tried Albutrix when it first came out. I took it for 30 days and then started a second bottle. I had my blood checked before I started and my eGFR was 50 and I had my blood checked again after taking Albutrix for 5 weeks and my eGFR was still 50. Lee Hull asks you to try Albutrix for at least 90 days, but I was having some side effects - nausea and headaches- so I decided to stop taking it. My eGFR is 53 now while following a whole food plant based diet. There are several ketoanalogue products available now - I might try one of them to see if I have a similar reaction.
My wife which is stage 5 she's on Ketosteril (different brand but same active principle) since 2 month. We saw a reduction 0,5 in creatinine and same proportional reduction in BUN. However before making any conclusion we need to wait much longer. 6 month at least. rgs
thank you all for the responses. I learned that Lee Hull’s organization is conducting a clinical trial on Albutrix and their diet protocol and results will be announced soon, I guess. I also learned that the progress that Albutrix and diet made could be significantly different between ckd patients even those at the same stage. There was a post that also someone got nausea and sick and was advised to lower the dose. So I know it may not do anything better and I am willing to try as long as no adverse effect.
Hi Tolmezzo,
I hope all goes well for you wife. It is great to hear she had a reduction in both Creatnine and BUN. am very interested that there is an alternative available to Albutrix which is unfortunately prohibitively. Could i ask you what country you are in where you can get Ketosteril and what the cost of it is. Thank you
Im from Italy. In stage 5 ketosteril is full covered by national insurance (also before dyalisis). However on box with 100 pills it's stated price as 90eur. Rgs
Just quick search online indicates that the ketosteril is made in India and the selling price is different in each country. It is sold in 100,200, 300 tablets per box. The dose from 4 to 8 tablets per day. I heard it is $400 in USA but not sure which quantity. I am trying to confirm this info by searching online but no success.
Tolmezzo, and Futureckd, thank you both very much. Tolmezzo, i am in Ireland so it is really interesting to hear that a Keto analog is both available and paid for in another European country. Our Irish health service and supports are pretty poor. You have to pay for everything or wait years for it. I lived in Germany for years where i never had to pay for any doctors visits and very little for the multiple tablets. I mentioned Keto analog to my Nephrologist but he had no opinion on them.
Most likely ha had no opinion just to avoid to go in deep and tell you have to pay for it. Its so sorry to hear such big difference in EU. BTW is scientifically demonstrated keto can delay dyalisis 1/2 years. This do not mean it's always like that. We all are unique and this can play the difference. Rgs
In Italy is not available on the market. You must go through national health insurance and we must insist to get it prescribed. Being quite expensive doctors are reluctant to allow it.
yes I can understand that. What I don’t understand why a supplement made in India is that expensive. In US no way insurance will pay for a supplemental drug. So people have to pay out of pocket. I think once this type of drugs are proven in randomized clinical trials, only then the insurance can pay.
No need to take this unless you are on a EXTREMELY low protein diet. I don’t know where this misinformation has come from but these are used when following Hull’s or just a plant based diet and cutting protein to below 1 gram intake daily. All they do is help supplement for eating no protein and therefore have no effect on eGFR or any other lab readings. See the NKF KDIGO guidelines on the NKF site for the proper use of keto analogs. The diet is the benefit not the pill…don’t waste $300 bucks for a protein pill!
thank you Bkackbighr1989. I am on VLPD , trying to follow Lee Hull diet except I added some white rice and potato to reduce the constant hunger I felt , as recommended by my renal dietitian . in some days I eat around 20-25 g of protein. My understanding is 0.8 g per day multiplied by your weight in kg , in my case should be 44g protein daily and I don’t get that. That is why I thought to get the difference from taking Albutrix as recommended by Lee Hull. The 1g per day you mentioned, I have not seen in any other site, I will look at the site you mentioned. Expensive , yes pretty much. I just started and will see what happens.
I’ll get the link to the NKF revised KDIGO clinical practice guidelines for nutrition from 2020. These are published by NKF and ASN as guides to physicians to give them best practices to treat us with kidney problems. The 2020 nutrition guidelines were something to take notice of as it was really the first time that any legitimate medical agency actually advocated significant diet changes to make an effective difference in managing the progression of our shared issues. Oh NKF, ASN partnered with the newly formed Rensl dietitian association in this update as well. I won’t post a link as the guideline is over 100 pages but here is the recommendation for protein intake:
Guideline 3: Protein and Energy Intake3.0 Statements on Protein AmountProtein Restriction,
CKD Patients Not on Dialysis and Without Diabetes
3.0.1In adults with CKD 3-5 who are metabolically stable, we recommend, under close clinical supervision, protein restriction with or without keto acid analogs, to reduce risk for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)/death (1A) and improve quality of life (QoL) (2C):
•a low-protein diet providing 0.55–0.60 g dietary protein/kg body weight/day, or•
a very low-protein diet providing 0.28–0.43 g dietary protein/kg body weight/day with additional keto acid/amino acid analogs to meet protein requirements (0.55–0.60 g /kg body weight/day)
Further:
Rationale/Background
Protein metabolism in the body is responsible for adequate growth in children and maintenance of body protein mass such as muscle mass in adults. Every day, approximately 250 g of protein are catabolized, leading to protein catabolic products such as urea and many other known or unidentified compounds. Most of these degradation products are normally cleared by the kidneys and excreted in urine. When kidney function declines, there will be an accumulation of these by-products into the blood, which will progressively impair organ function.144 This has been clearly identified for compounds such as p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, trimethyl aminoxide, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), which are now considered as uremic toxins. Second, protein intake is responsible for a major fraction of kidney workload, and much experimental and clinical research has confirmed the renal effects of a protein load and a deleterious role of the renal hyperfiltration response associated with protein intake. Therefore, in a situation of nephron reduction such as CKD, reducing protein intake will reduce hyperfiltration, with an additive effect to those of angiotensin-reducing drugs.144 As a consequence of both actions, reducing uremia and uremic toxins on one hand and improving renal hemodynamics on the other hand, a reduction in protein intake may reduce clinical symptoms and postpone the need to start maintenance dialysis treatment.In the context of these recommendations, “metabolically stable” indicates the absence of any active inflammatory or infectious diseases, no hospitalization within 2 weeks, absence of poorly controlled diabetes and consumptive diseases such as cancer, absence of antibiotic or immunosuppressive medications, and absence of significant short-term loss of body weight. Another consideration is determination of body weight for diet prescription. Because the body weight suggested (whether IBW, BMI, usual or current, or adjusted) depends on clinician judgment related to the patient's health goals (Guideline Statement 1.1.6), the specific weight formula used for prescription should be personalized to the patient.
Here is the link to the entire guideline:
ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386...
More below:
Protein restriction plus KA supplementIn settings in which KAs are available, a very low-protein–controlled diet may be considered. Different compositions of KAAs and EAAs have been tested in the setting of CKD, with most of them containing 4 KAs (of the EAAs isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and valine), 1 hydroxyacid (of the EAA methionine), and 4 amino acids considered essential in CKD (tryptophan, threonine, histidine, and tyrosine). Collectively, these supplements are referred as KAs.172 For adults with CKD without diabetes, not receiving dialysis, with an eGFR < 20 mL/min/1.73 m2, a very LPD (VLPD) providing 0.28 to 0.43 g protein/kg per day with the addition of KAs to meet protein requirements may be recommended.In adults with CKD including kidney transplant, 14 studies reported the effect of protein restriction plus KA supplementation on outcomes of interest. One NRCT145 and 13 RCTs were included.146,148,150,152,154,155,171,173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178Survival/renal deathIn adults with CKD (stages 3-5), 4 RCTs reported a mixed effect of a protein-restricted diet plus KA on renal survival/RRT.147,154,176,177Garneata et al147 and Mircescu et al154indicated that a significantly lower percentage of patients in the VLPD plus KA group required RRT initiation throughout the therapeutic intervention, whereas Levey et al176 and Malvy et al177 indicated no effect, but the Malvy et al177 study was underpowered. Pooled analysis of 2 studies that reported RRT incidence indicated that a protein-restricted diet plus KA has a lower RR for incidence of RRT (RR, 0.412; 95% CI, 0.219-0.773).147,154 Levey et al176 indicated that after controlling for protein intake from food and supplement from the studies evaluated, assignment to the VLPD did not have a significant effect on renal failure/death risk. Malvy et al177 also indicated no effect of protein restriction plus KA on renal survival, whereas Mircescu et al154 indicated that a statistically significantly lower percentage of patients in the VLPD plus KA group required RRT initiation throughout the therapeutic intervention (4% vs 27%)154 and Garneata et al147 also indicated a delay in dialysis initiation. Both Garneata et al147 and Mircescu et al154 are newer studies, and have shorter durations (12-15 months) compared with Levey et al176 and Malvy et al177 (Levey et al, 2.2 years). When pooled together, there is probably an overall benefit of dietary protein restriction plus KA supplementation on RRT/renal survival in patients with CKD stages 3-5 (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.49-0.85; P < 0.001).Estimated GFRA VLPD supplemented with KAs (0.28-0.4 g protein/kg per day) could help preserve kidney function in patients with stages 3-5 CKD. One study was conducted in PD patients and GFR was preserved. In adults with CKD, 1 NRCT145and 4 RCTs147,154,155,175,176 reported on the effect of a protein-restricted diet plus KA (0.28-0.4 g/kg body weight) on eGFR. Results from all 6 studies indicated that a VLPD plus KA (0.3-0.4 g/kg body weight) supplementation helped preserve eGFR, whereas participants assigned to LPD only (0.58-0.68 g/kg protein) indicated a decline in eGFR. All studies were conducted in patients in stages 3-5. Pooled analysis for all 5 studies was not possible to conduct.Bellizzi et al145 reported that GFR significantly decreased in the control group. Garneata et al147 indicated that the decrease in eGFR was less in the KA group compared with LPD. Klahr et al175 indicated that compared with the usual-protein group, the low-protein group had a more rapid GFR decline in the first 4 months (P = 0.004) but slower decline from the first 4 months to the end (P = 0.009). Among patients with GFRs of 13 to 24 mL/min/1.73 m2 (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] Study 2), there was a trend for slower GFR decline in the VLPD group when compared with the low-protein group (P = 0.07). Levey et al176 (post hoc analysis of MDRD Study) indicated that at a fixed level of protein intake from food only, assignment to a VLPD was associated with a decrease (trend) in the steepness of the mean GFR slope of 1.19 mL/min per year (P = 0.063). Similarly, after controlling for protein intake from food and supplement, assignment to the VLPD did not improve the rate of decline in GFR (P = 0.71). Mircescu et al154 indicated that eGFR did not change significantly in patients receiving a VLPD plus KA but significantly decreased in the LPD group (P < 0.05), suggesting renal protection for VLPD plus KA. Prakash et al155also indicated that eGFR was unchanged in the KA-supplemented group; however, it significantly decreased in the placebo group (P= 0.015). A KA-supplemented diet during the 9-month period helped preserve eGFR.Electrolyte levelsA VLPD supplemented with KAs (0.28-0.4 g protein/kg per day) could potentially decrease serum phosphate levels and improve some markers of bone metabolism (calcium and parathyroid hormone [PTH]). Four randomized controlled studies (stages 4-5)146,154,167,177indicated a decrease in serum phosphate levels at the end of intervention among the LPD-plus-KA groups. One study with MHD patients also demonstrated a decrease in serum phosphate levels in the LPD-plus-KA group.152Feiten et al146 indicated that serum phosphate levels did not change in the LPD group but tended to decrease in the VLPD-plus-KA group (within VLPD, P = 0.07). Serum PTH concentration did not significantly change in the VLPD-plus-KA group; however, it increased significantly in the LPD group (P = 0.01). Li et al152 in MHD patients indicated that in the LPD-plus-KA group, no significant changes in serum calcium levels were observed; however, mean serum phosphate levels significantly decreased at the end of the study (P < 0.001) compared with the normal-protein diet group. Mircescu et al154 in patients with stages 4 and 5 indicated that in the VLPD-plus-KA group, a significant increase was seen in serum calcium levels postintervention (P < 0.05) and serum phosphate levels decreased (P < 0.05), whereas no statistical changes were observed in the LPD group.
Finally a couple notes: most studies cited are foreign not US based because we currently don’t prescribe KA’s.
Here is an alternative to Albumix:
Link: myupchar.com/en/medicine/ke...
These range from 400-700 rupees per box or about $10. All studies in PubMed about KA are doing using the supplement Ketosteril. Which is this link.
thank you Blackknight1989 for the posts. I read both. I am a case that should take KA, all conditions apply to me. However, my eGFR is 14 now, stable lately (instead of jumping up and down) because of the VLPD diet.
I am not sure the KA will help me , but I need to do it. I asked about ketosteril made in India , and it is much cheaper if you buy it from abroad. So for now I will try Albutrix for short period of time and do another blood test (before and after). My BUN is already lowered because of the VLPD diet , now 23. If I don’t see any effect of Albutrix even small, I will stop. My observations in this forum and on Lee Hull website stories that stage 3 patients have much higher chance to improve compared with stages4 than 5. Even the studies you mentioned do not have significant statistics of improvement. Meaning it depends on each person case. Thanks again big time for your help.
you nailed it my friend. However, if you go to read the actual studies their is solid evidence the VLPD diets do help stop kidney decline especially in stage 4-near 5. However, as you pointed out it may not be due to a direct effect on the kidneys but a side effect of lowering BP, lipids and Phosphate levels. Finally the kicker is as you pointed out the VLPD is awfully hard to maintain for a lifetime. Thus, people slip and that negates all progress if you cannot stick to it for a lifetime. So it’s like everything else in this confounding disease it depends on….
That is why it concerns me when folks who seek the holy grail of “curing” our issue and for whatever reason, mostly because eGFR is only an ESTIMATE and that’s being generous, they get positive feedback based on an increase in eGFR when it will change sometimes as much as 40% 5 minutes after the last test. Heck the NIKKD the US equivalent of the British NHS recommends not reporting the actual eGFR number because of the tremendous inaccuracies. But, heck docs do the same thing so what do I know. I do hope the info helped. I hate to see folks waste hundreds of dollars for a treatment that is recommended but may/or may not have a beneficial effect.
Finally, I am sorry for the length but I wanted to include enough pros and cons so you could be sure to have your doc monitor you if you made the decision to proceed. PEW is worse for the kidneys than just eating processed foods. I hope my “tone” wasn’t upsetting, I just try to call em like I see em and sometimes in my haste I sound like a freaking know it all and I don’t know crap except there are no absolute to our conditions. My best to you and if willing let me know how it goes with your trial. Lastly all that advice I posted flips 180 once you move to stage 5 and dialysis so there is that happy fact as well! Take care and best of luck!
hi Blackknight1989, your posts were very helpful and informative. There was no any tone or any upsetting. Yes what we have is complicated and we all try hard. VLPD dies not bother me amd o don’t feet eating any animal products. I will keep reading the individual studies in the link you sent. All science. I will share once I get to the after blood test, thanks again.
I appreciate you kind words.
I just saw this post, 4 months late. I take Albutrix, but only 2 pills (10G) a day, because of price There has been a wave of online posts that Albutrix is a scam, but I've concluded that's just another web rumor, started for who knows what reason. I have no side effects from it, and I'm pretty sure it helps my energy level. (I pretty much never get nauseous though)
I'm only stage 3. Lee Hull, who founded the company, had more advanced CKD with uremia. I trust Albutrix more than keto-acids from India, because other stuff I got from India was flimsy or smelled funny and there's no factual way I know of to verify what's in a product from India.
I'm sure you already made your decision, Best of luck to you. It seems that Albutrix is out of favor on this website now, but for me it solved the problem of getting enough protein on a vegan diet without excessive phosphorous. The best thing I've learned since CKD is how to de-stress even when bad stuff is going on in my life and health.
thank you Whats, I appreciate your response. I looked at Albutrix and asked those who have been taking it for at least 2 years in this community, no one confirmed that it improved egfr or reduced creatinine . No one said it harmed them either. So I did not see a point to take it, either it improved your egfr or it is not effective. I think one can improve energy using other ways like exercise everyday. Even the number of videos talking about it are the same since last year, no new people using it. That was discouraging for me. Thanks again
I'm happy to have helped. Along with a low protein diet, ketoanalogues do delay CKD progression though a lot of the studies used diabetics or questionable low protein diets. See plantpoweredkidneys.com/ket... This page has a good summary of information (not specific studies) and also has prices and content of different ketoanalogues, including Albutrix and Ketosteril.
also see healthunlocked.com/nkf-ckd/...
this is what I am saying, it is all talking about the benefits in articles etc but no one came forward saying that his/her creatinine decreased because of Albutrix or other ketogenic. I am familiar with the other patients who are saying they beat ckd stage 4 and 5 and ask for money to support their channels , I don’t know their actual intentions but it became too much. Thanks
Kidneys don't heal themselves. I don't like to be the one to remind you. Creatine numbers can go down when you quit eating meat or if you're more hydrated when you get the blood test or for many other reasons but it doesn't mean your actual glomerular filtration rate is higher, just the estimate based on creatine. In fact eGFR based on creatinine, race and age has an "80% to 90% chance of being with 30% of the actual GFR". That is from a post on this website a year or so ago started by Skeptix. I believe it because my creatine bounces around a lot, and is also affected by the small amount of prednisone that I take for inflammation from lupus. The eGFR that includes cystatin-B may be more accurate for vegans. Doctors just use eGFR along with proteinuria to track the trend and don't worry too much about fluctuations. When I re-read the Skeptix discussion, it depressed me, but the best we can do is halt the progress of CKD. Becoming vegan does boost your eGFR, but its not as important as some people on this forum make it out to be. Hope is so important for us. I wish you the best.
There are studies dating back as far as 2005 on PubMed. All studies are inconclusive as outlined by the NKF and the ASN in the current KIDGO guidelines. You know what Albutrix is just Hulls name for a protein probiotic. The same product (exact) is available through the websites specific to India for more than an 80% lower cost than the cost of Hull’s genius marketing ploy.
I’m not a Hull fan as you know. If he truly meant to be as helpful as he masquerades he wants to be, he’d cut the price of that product significantly. I’m a capitalist and I don’t begrudge an entrepreneur making money but his profit margins are obscene and he is exploiting the trust of the very people/customers he proponents to help. I can’t stand Fake’s especially those who hold themselves out as humble and giving when they know they are ripping the buyer’s heads off. Those are the worst of the worst,IMHO, Hull is one as are all televangelists asking for money, all politicians and sometimes Joyce Meyers/Joel Olsteen (think about it have you ever seen Joyce/Joel together? No? Why? They are the same person…lol!)
Blacklnight 1989..you nailed it. I agree about how the product is offered. It's sad that of its so helpful why is the price keeping patients from using it.