Information for Dietitians
Click below to view 4 short videos presented by Dr. Elizabeth Sussman PhD RD, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics specializing in renal nutrition and research, reviewing clinical data on the use of low protein diets supplemented with keto-analogues as a tool to slow the progression of CKD and maintain nutrition.
- 60 doses per canister. 2.1g of Keto & Amino Acids per dose.
- A cost effective keto-analogue, available in the USA.
- To be used in conjunction with low or very low protein diets.
- May be a tax deductible medical expense.
- Vanilla flavored drink mix.
- Made in the USA in an FDA inspected facility
About Ketorena
Ketorena is a keto-acid analogue of essential amino acids (keto-analogue) used to maintain or improve nutrition and slow the progression of CKD for those on a low or very low protein diet.
Each dose of Ketorena contains 2100 mg or 2.1g of Keto & Amino Acids.
Ketorena Dosing
The starting dose of Ketorena is 1 scoop 3 times daily when initiating a low protein diet. Maintenance dosing for Ketorena is individualized based on the level of protein restriction and patient body weight.
Please review the dosing and treatment protocol below from the IKABM. The dosing recommendations are to initiate a keto-analogue at 0.1g/kg BW/day.
A patient weighing 60kg would then take 0.1g x 60 = 6g or 6000mg. 1 scoop of Ketorena = 2100mg or 2.1g. 3 scoops = 6300mg or 6.3g. The dose would then be 1 scoop 3 times daily.
Keto-Acid Analogues
The use of keto-analogues in combination with a low or very low protein diet is widely used for managing CKD in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Keto-analogue use has been limited in the United States because of its lack of availability here.
When used with appropriate diet, keto-analogues have been shown to reduce CKD progression, slow the onset of uremic symptoms, and improve nutritional parameters and markers. Please see the section below titled: "Recent clinical Data on the use of keto-analogues with LPD/VLPD" for clinical references and further information.
Keto-acid analogues of essential amino acids provide potential advantages for CKD patients. Ketoacids lack the amino group bound to the alpha carbon of an amino acid so they can be converted to their respective essential amino acids without providing additional nitrogen.
Patient types who may benefit from a low or very low protein diet supplemented with Ketorena:
- CKD patients with advanced disease who wish to avoid or delay dialysis.
- All CKD 4-5 patients
- CKD 3 patients with a progressive decline in GFR
- Patients with nephrotic syndrome who are being considered for a low protein diet
- Post kidney transplant patients with CKD 3-5 or those with proteinuria
- Dialysis patients (PD or incremental HD) with residual renal function
The following beneficial effects may be found with a keto-analogue supplemented protein restricted diet:
- Slow the progression of CKD
- Delay the time until dialysis is required to treat uremic symptoms
- Decrease levels of uremic toxins
- Reduce proteinuria
- Prevent malnutrition
- Improve calcium-phosphate metabolism/hyperparathyroidism
The International Keto Analogue Board Meeting consensus statement on the
use of keto-analogues in CKD.
Recent clinical data on the use of keto-analogues with an LPD/VLPD
Click on link to access.
Ketoanalogues supplementation decreases dialysis and mortality risk in patients with anemic advanced chronic kidney disease. (Wu, Che-Hsiung et al. PLOS ONE May 5 2017)
Effect of restricted protein diet supplemented with keto analogues in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta analysis. (Jiang, Zheng et al. Int Urol Nephrol 2016)
Adherence to ketoacids/essential amino acids-supplemented low protein diets and new indications for patients with chronic kidney disease (Fouque et al. BMC Nephrology 2016)
Keto Supplemented Low Protein Diet: A valid therapeutic approach for patients with steroid-resitant proteinuria during early-stage chronic kidney disease. (Zhang, J et al. J Nutr Health Aging 2016)
Very low protein diet plus ketoacids in chronic kidney disease and risk of death during end stage renal disease: a historical cohort controlled study. (Bellizzi, V et al. NDT (2015)30:71-77)
Nephrologist perspectives on the use of keto-analogues in CKD
Click on link to access.
Is there a role for Ketoacid Supplements in the Management of CKD? (A. Shah MD; et al: AJKD, Vol 65, May 2015)
Converting to Ketorena from other tableted keto-analogues.
A single scoop of Ketorena contains 2100 mg or 2.1g of keto/amino acids. Most, but not all tableted keto-analogues contain 600mg of keto/amino acids per tablet.
Ketorena can be taken 2-3 times per day depending on the converted dose.
A typical dose conversion may look like: 600mg tablets x 10 per day = 6000mg or 6g total daily dose
1 scoop of Ketorena: 2100 mg or 2.1g x 3 = 6300mg or 6.3g total daily dose or 1 scoop 3 times per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Currently Ketorena is available to purchase directly from Nephcentric on this site or by calling 1-844-980-9933. A 90 serving canister of Ketorena costs $145.50. We offer a 30% volume discount when purchasing 2 or more canisters. This brings the per canister price to $99.75. While this is expensive, other foreign sourced keto-analogues cost between $250-$450 per month.
A: Keto-analogues of essential amino acids provide potential advantages for CKD patients. Keto-acids lack the amino group bound to the alpha carbon of an amino acid so they can be converted to their respective essential amino acids without providing additional nitrogen.
A: A single dose of Ketorena easily mixes into solution with as little as 3-4 ounces of water or juice. Ketorena is natural vanilla flavor.
A: Ketorena is packaged as a drink mix powder with 60 doses in a canister. Other keto-analogues are in tablet form and often have pill burdens of 12-24 tablets per day for a 70Kg adult. Ketorena is designed to reduce pill count. A single dose of Ketorena easily mixes with 3 ounces of water or juice.
A: Unlike supplement,s a medical food, as defined in section 5(b)(3) of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee(b)(3)), is “a food which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally under the supervision of a physician and which is intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical evaluation.” Medical Foods, including Ketorena can be purchased OTC without a prescription. Ketorena is made in the USA in an FDA inspected facility under cGMP guidelines.
A: The FDA classifies Ketorena as GRAS or Generally Recognized As Safe. This is a designation that ingredients added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements.
