How should you eat with nephrotic syndrome?

Written by Zhang Hui
Nephrology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by urine protein greater than 3.5 grams, serum albumin less than 30, the presence of edema, and hyperlipidemia. Patients matching these criteria can be diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. From its diagnosis, we can see that such patients have a high amount of urine protein and relatively low blood protein. For these patients, it is necessary to control their protein intake, generally suitable at 0.6-0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Due to hypoalbuminemia, as the liver synthesizes protein, it also leads to an increase in blood lipids. Therefore, patients with nephrotic syndrome need to follow a low-fat diet to avoid further elevation of blood lipids. Additionally, as patients with nephrotic syndrome generally have edema, it is necessary to restrict sodium intake to prevent sodium and water retention, further aggravating the edema.

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What is good for children with nephrotic syndrome to eat?

Nephrotic syndrome is mainly due to increased permeability of the glomerular basement membrane, leading to a syndrome characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and severe edema. The dietary requirements for this disease include low salt, low fat, and high-quality protein diet. Therefore, it is best to use less salt in dishes, and also, one should not drink too much water, as excessive water intake can easily cause sodium and water retention. Additionally, too much sodium can also lead to sodium and water retention and the development of hypertension. Foods rich in fats, fatty meats, and seafood should be avoided, while high-quality proteins generally include lean meats, beef, milk, eggs, etc. Consumption of such high-quality proteins and soy products should be limited.

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How is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed?

Nephrotic syndrome is a general term for a group of clinical symptoms. Its primary diagnostic criteria include a 24-hour urine protein quantification of greater than or equal to 3.5 grams and plasma albumin less than or equal to 30 grams per liter; these two criteria are essential for the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Meeting these criteria is sufficient for the diagnosis. There are also two additional supporting diagnostic criteria for nephrotic syndrome, which include possible symptoms of edema and hyperlipidemia. These four elements are the main clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria of nephrotic syndrome.

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How to maintain health with nephrotic syndrome

Patients with nephrotic syndrome should pay attention to maintenance because nephrotic syndrome is a chronic disease. Even if the condition is well controlled, it can still recur or worsen under certain circumstances. First and foremost, patients should avoid various inflammations, including infections of the upper respiratory tract, enteritis, skin infections, ulcers, etc. Patients should avoid getting cold, avoid contact with people who have colds, and wear masks in crowded places. Avoid eating raw, unhygienic food to prevent diarrhea and enteritis. Patients should also limit their salt intake, and it is recommended that their daily salt intake be controlled between 3 and 6 grams.

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Can people with nephrotic syndrome eat strawberries?

Patients with nephrotic syndrome can eat strawberries in moderate amounts. Patients with nephrotic syndrome typically have urinary protein levels exceeding 3.5g in 24 hours, along with noticeable symptoms of edema. It is essential for these patients to control their intake of water, especially those with severe edema, as excessive water intake can further exacerbate the swelling. Additionally, patients should limit their intake of plant proteins, follow a low-salt diet, and avoid heavy consumption of oils and fatty foods. From the above perspectives, it is generally acceptable for patients with nephrotic syndrome to eat strawberries in moderation. Strawberries contain very little plant protein and will not increase urinary protein levels. Although strawberries do not contain much salt, patients with nephrotic syndrome still need to consume them in moderation due to their high water content.

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Characteristics of Nephrotic Syndrome

The characteristic feature of nephrotic syndrome is that patients may experience edema, which is related to the nature of this disease. The essence of this disease is due to some reason that damages the glomerular capillary filtration barrier. As a result, when blood passes through the glomeruli, it leaks proteins from the blood. A 24-hour urinary protein quantification will exceed 3.5 grams, which constitutes a large amount of urinary protein. Consequently, a large amount of protein is leaked into the urine, causing the protein concentration in the plasma to decrease. This leads to a reduction in the colloidal osmotic pressure of the plasma, causing fluid to move from inside the blood vessels to outside, thus leading to edema. Therefore, the most significant clinical feature of nephrotic syndrome is the potential to cause edema, and severe cases of edema may elevate blood pressure, lead to pulmonary edema, manifesting as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.