A modified diet using the Giordano-Giovannetti-Maggiore principle of essential L-amino acids with a high carbohydrate source was administered intravenously to ten patients in renal failure following rupture of aortic aneurysms. No serious side effects associated with therapy occurred. Nutritional benefits were attended by a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) stabilizing effect associated with treatment. Unanticipated salutory effects on metabolic status of patients, consisting of lowering of serum concentrations of magnesium, phosphate, and potassium, also occurred. Such therapy eliminated the necessity for treatment of patients for the effects of toxic concentrations of these ions and delayed or eliminated the need for dialysis in all patients. It is suggested that intracellular requirements for such ions during induced anabolism and the utilization of BUN for protein synthesis is responsible for the beneficial effects of therapy.