Actually, how much protein is needed by Nephrotic Syndrome patients depends on their specific illness condition. In some cases of Nephrotic Syndrome, due to severe leakage of protein in urine, protein in blood reduce quickly, which can cause low protein level in blood and swelling. This is the reason why Nephrotic Syndrome patients have fluid retention problem and hypoproteinemia. Protein is the basic of life, and long-term low protein level in blood will impair our immune system and make us susceptible to various illnesses. Therefore, it is necessary for Nephrotic Syndrome patients to eat much more protein to replenish the one they lost in urine.
However, this does not mean the more protein that Nephrotic Syndrome patients eat, the better. Kidney is responsible for filtering blood and preserving protein in the body. When kidney tissues are damaged, kidney function decreases. Under such a condition, if we put too much burden on kidney, kidney condition will be worsened and proteinuria becomes more serious. Therefore, in some cases of Nephrotic Syndrome, we need to reduce protein intake, so as to protect residual kidney function.
How much protein is needed depends on Nephrotic Syndrome patients’ specific illness condition. In some cases, 0.6-0.8grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is needed per day. However, in some other cases, 1.2grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is needed every day. Also, some of these should be high quality protien which can be founded in lean meat, fish, egg white and milk.
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