Home Remedies For Nephrotic Syndrome

A Few Special Diet Tips For Nephrotic Syndrome Patients.

Nephrotic Syndrome Treatment in Ayurveda has been of profound benefit to kidney patients. With the knowledge of India’s oldest medicine science, ayurvedic treatment for nephrotic syndrome is a specially designed treatment plan. 

Nephrotic syndrome is not a specific kidney disease. It is a generalised term used for a condition in which a large amount of protein is lost in the urine. It occurs in many kidney diseases when damage to the filtering units causes the protein to leak into the urine. When a large amount of protein is passed into urine, it causes a huge drop in protein levels in the blood. This further leaves the person at a greater risk of developing infections and illnesses in the body. 

It has also been observed that the diseases causing nephrotic syndrome affect only the kidneys. In contrast, other conditions causing nephrotic syndrome also affect other parts of the body, like diabetes and lupus. 

Nephrotic Syndrome And Your Diet 

To manage your disease, several dietary changes may be required. The required changes are described below. 

Protein 

Since there is a decrease in kidney function due to damage in the filtering units, a diet with a balanced amount of protein can help in reducing protein loss in urine. This can preserve kidney functions as well. 

It is crucial to know that in kidney diseases, high protein diets do not increase the protein levels in your blood and, therefore, should be strictly avoided. Therefore kidney patients are strictly advised to avoid high-protein drinks, protein powders and protein supplements. But if your body, under specific conditions, requires supplemental proteins, then it should be done under strict medical supervision. 

“Suffering from Nephrotic syndrome and there should be zero protein diet” this should not be followed, as it could have severe consequences. It can lead to a state of muscle wasting and malnutrition. A proper diet consultation should be followed under the guidance of a dietitian and a physician. 

To keep your body healthy, one has to select the protein source wisely. Some good sources of protein are: 

• Meat 
• Poultry 
• Seafood 
• Eggs 
• Dairy products 
• Nuts
• Legumes 

Your dietitian or the physician, on analysing your reports, could suggest the correct amount of protein to be consumed. To be on the safer side, one can avoid large serves of the foods mentioned above. 

Fat 

It has been commonly observed in people suffering from nephrotic syndrome to have high cholesterol levels and triglycerides (blood fats). These high levels of blood fats increase the risk of heart disease. Therefore, Nephrotic Syndrome patients are advised to follow a low-fat diet. 

Sources of saturated fat include: 

• Butter 
• Lard 
• Full-fat dairy 
• Sour cream 
• Pastry and biscuits 
• Coconut milk 
• Chicken skin and fat on meat 

Salt

Salt plays a major role in the life of kidney patients. A low-salt diet is recommended for nephrotic patients as it helps to reduce fluid retention in the body. One should use the minimum amount of salt and not add it to food at the table. One can also opt for foods that are low in salt. A Dietitian can be of real help on foods to avoid. 

Salts under the name, Lite Salt’, should also be avoided, as these cause equal harm to kidneys as normal salts do. 

Fluid 

Not all but a few kidney patients are advised to limit their fluid intake to help manage their nephrotic syndrome. 

If you are suggested to follow a fluid restriction, the following tips will help you: 

• Always measure the amount of fluids you consume 

• Maintain a diary record of fluid intake 

• Also count the fluids for taking tablets. 

• Reduce the amount of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks

• Use of ice is also counted in fluids 

• Good oral hygiene practices will help alleviate the feelings of thirst 

• Try to keep blood sugars in control. High blood sugar might make you feel thirsty 

Weight Gain 

Nephrotic syndrome patients might observe sudden weight gain due to severe oedema. Also weight gain with increased body fat can also occur when the patient is on steroid therapy. Here again, your dietitian is good for advice.

Ayurvedic Medicine For Nephrotic Syndrome 

The main goal of the treatment plan for nephrotic syndrome is to reduce or eliminate proteinuria (protein in urine). Ayurveda using its herbs and herbal formulations, tries to treat the root cause of the disease. It also takes help from diet and lifestyle modifications. Ayurveda has described a large number of herbs and they have a specific action on different diseases. The herbs most commonly used for kidney diseases treatment are, Punarnava, Gokhshuru, Rakta Chandan, Kaasni, Gokhshuradi guggul etc.

One can also refer to Karma Ayurveda for Nephrotic syndrome ayurvedic treatment. Karma Ayurveda has a history of treating a large number of patients suffering from all kidney diseases.