My                                                                                 
            Nutrition 
                                                                                                      
                                                                             Nephrotic Syndrome  
                     
                    What is nephrotic syndrome?                                                            □ Protein 
                    Nephrotic syndrome is not a specific 
                    kidney disease; instead, it is a general                                               A diet that is moderate in protein can help 
                    term for a condition where too much                                                    to reduce the amount of protein lost in the 
                    protein is lost in the urine. It can occur in                                          urine and preserve your kidney function. 
                    any kidney disease where damage to the                                                 High protein diets do not increase the 
                    filtering units causes protein to leak into                                            levels of protein in your blood and 
                    your urine. This can cause the protein                                                 therefore should be avoided. This 
                    levels in your blood to drop too low,                                                  includes  avoiding high protein drinks, 
                    leaving you at a greater risk of developing                                            powders and supplements unless your 
                    infections, illnesses and fluid retention.                                             Dietitian advises you that they are safe to 
                                                                                                           include. 
                    Some of the diseases that cause                                                         
                                                                                                 My 
                                                                                                     My 
                                                                                          Nutrition 
                    nephrotic syndrome affect only the                                                     It is also important that you do not avoid 
                                                                                              Nutrition 
                    kidneys, for example, nephritis. Other                                                 protein, as muscle wasting and 
                    diseases that cause nephrotic syndrome                                                 malnutrition may occur. 
                    affect other parts of the body as well, for                                             
                    example, diabetes and lupus.                                                           Good food sources of protein include:  
                                                                                                           •     Meat 
                    Nephrotic syndrome and your diet                                                       •     Poultry 
                    There are several dietary changes you                                                  •     Seafood 
                    may need to make to manage your                                                        •     Dairy products 
                    disease. These are outlined below. Your                                                •     Nuts 
                    Dietitian will advise you which of these                                               •     Eggs 
                    apply to you (by placing a tick in the box                                             •     Legumes 
                     next to each section).                                                                
                                                                                                           Your Dietitian will advise you on the 
                                                                                                           correct amount of protein to eat. As a 
                                                                                                           general rule, avoid large serves of these 
                                                                                                           foods.  
                    This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.                                                        
                    Disclaimer:  http://www.health.qld.gov.au/masters/copyright.asp                                                          Revised: July 2017 
                                                                                                                                             Due for review: July 2019 
                     
                     
                    □ Fat                                                                                  □ Fluid  
                    It is common for people who have                                                       There will be times when your Renal 
                    nephrotic syndrome to have high levels of                                              Doctor may advise limiting your fluid 
                    cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats).                                            intake to help manage your nephrotic 
                    High levels of these blood fats may                                                    syndrome. Please ask your Dietitian if 
                    increase the risk of heart disease.                                                    you need to do this and they will be able 
                                                                                                           to give you more specific advice on how 
                    It is advisable to follow a diet low in fat,                                           to manage this. 
                    particularly saturated (animal) fat.                                                    
                    Sources of saturated fat include:                                                      If you need to follow a fluid  restriction, 
                    •     Butter                                                                           the following tips will help you:                                     
                    •     Lard                                                                             •     Measure the size of the cups you 
                    •     Full fat dairy                                                                         normally drink from  
                    •     Sour cream                                                                       •     Use a diary to record your fluid intake 
                    •     Pastry and biscuits                                                              •     Remember to count the fluid you drink 
                    •     Coconut milk                                                           My              when you take tablets. Try apple 
                    •     Chicken skin and visible fat on meat                                       My  puree or yoghurt instead  
                                                                                          Nutrition 
                                                                                              Nutrition 
                                                                                                           •     Drink half cups of tea and other drinks  
                    □ Salt                                                                                 •     If you use ice to quench thirst – this 
                                                                                                                 also counts in a fluid restriction  
                    A  low salt diet  is recommended in                                                    •     Keep you mouth and teeth clean – this 
                    nephrotic syndrome to help reduce fluid                                                      helps alleviate feelings of thirst  
                    retention. Avoid using salt in cooking and                                             •     If you have diabetes –  keep blood 
                    do not add it to food at the table. Choose                                                   sugars well controlled – if they are too 
                    foods that are low in salt. Your Dietitian                                                   high, this can also make you feel 
                    will be able to give you more specific                                                       thirsty  
                    advice on foods to avoid. Avoid using salt                                             •     Chewing sugar free gum can help 
                    substitutes such as ‘Lite Salt’. Remember                                                    keep your mouth moist  
                    that vegie salt, herbal salt, sea salt and                                              
                    salt flakes are all high in salt.                                                       
                                                                                                            
                                                                                                            
                    This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.                                                        
                    Disclaimer:  http://www.health.qld.gov.au/masters/copyright.asp                                                          Revised: July 2017 
                                                                                                                                             Due for review: July 2019 
                     
                     
                    □ Weight gain                                                                          Medications 
                                                                                                           The main goal in treating nephrotic 
                    Weight gain (fluid) can occur in people                                                syndrome is to reduce or eliminate 
                    who develop swelling, which is mainly the                                              proteinuria (protein in urine).                                       
                    result of fluid retention.                                                             •     Almost all patients are given an 
                                                                                                                 angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 
                    Weight gain (body fat) can also occur as                                                     inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor 
                    a result of steroid therapy due to                                                           blocker (ARB), which lowers blood 
                    increased appetite. Please consult your                                                      pressure, prevents worsening of 
                    Dietitian for advice.                                                                        kidney disease and reduces the 
                                                                                                                 amount of protein lost in the urine. 
                                                                                                           •     Water pills or diuretics help to reduce 
                                                                                                                 swelling in the lower legs (oedema) 
                                                                                                                 and collection of fluid in the abdomen 
                                                                                                                 (ascites), both of which can occur in 
                                                                                                                 people with nephrotic syndrome  
                                                                                                 My •  Steroids and other medications that 
                                                                                                     My  suppress the immune system  
                                                                                          Nutrition 
                                                                                              Nutrition 
                                                                                                           •     Cholesterol lowering medication (also 
                                                                                                                 called statins) to treat high blood 
                                                                                                                 cholesterol  
                                                                                                           •     Antibiotics for infections  
                                                                                                           •     Blood thinner medications, such as 
                                                                                                                 warfarin, to prevent blood clots  
                     
                     
                     
                    Things I can do to improve my food and drink choices: 
                     
                    1.   
                     
                    2.   
                     
                    3.   
                     
                     
                    For further information contact your Dietitian or Nutritionist:____________________ 
                     
                    This is a consensus document from Dietitian/ Nutritionists from the Nutrition Education Materials Online, "NEMO", team.                                                        
                    Disclaimer:  http://www.health.qld.gov.au/masters/copyright.asp                                                          Revised: July 2017 
                                                                                                                                             Due for review: July 2019