Diet for Child with Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome is a complicated condition involving a malfunction of the immune system which causes inflammation of the kidneys. So keeping the immune system as strong and healthy as possible has been my main goal.

How do we keep the immune system strong and healthy?

The Chinese say that all illness begins in the stomach. Therefore, a proper diet is a major key to keeping the immune system functioning at its optimal level. A proper diet does not cause inflammation. Here are some guidelines:

1. No sugar. This includes honey, maple syrup and dried fruit. Sugar causes inflammation, which is something we're trying to reduce or avoid. The only acceptable sweeteners are Stevia and Xylitol.

2. No processed food. Nothing out of a packet or a plastic container. You have to try and imagine what your great-grand-parents ate. They probably cooked everything from raw ingredients. There is enough information and recipes on the web now to do that.Yes some time investment will be required, but it soon becomes how you 'normally' eat. You will be amazed how much healthier your whole family becomes just by taking this step.

3. Limit grains and foods made from them. Anything containing gluten should be minimized, as a lot of people have allergy or sensitivity to it without realizing it.

4. No soft drinks of anything fizzy. No exceptions. Soft drinks do enormous damage to the immune system.

5. All juices must be freshly squeezed at home. All store bought juices must be avoided because they have been pasteurized to increase shelf life. This destroys all the enzymes and nutrients of the fruit. So what you're paying for is sugar (fructose - the worst kind) and water.

6. No dairy, with the exception of unsweetened yogourt and butter.

7. No vegetable oils, margarines or spreads. These contain trans-fats, which cause inflammation. Butter, extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil are your best options. All animal fats are good providing they have not been overheated to the extent that they become trans-fats.

8. No table salt. Only use sea salt or Himalayan crystal salt.

9. No soy foods. Soy beans are the most 'pharmed' foods on the planet, which makes them very toxic. Small amount of organic soy sauce is acceptable.

10. Free range (preferably organic) meats and poultry. All others have antibiotics and steroids pumped into them, and a child with an impaired immune system does not need that.

There has been a lot discussion about avoiding protein when the child has Nephrotic Syndrome.
- Firstly, there no scientific data to support this.

- Secondly, if the child has proteinurea, and the body is losing protein through urination, it makes sense to give them more protein to make up for the loss. It is absolutely necessary for growth and proper mental function.

11. No cold foods. Cold shocks the kidneys. All food/drinks should be consumed at no colder than room temperature.

12. No supplements. Even though synthetic supplements make a lot of claims about boosting the immune system, the vast majority of them do not have the required co-factors to be of any benefit to the body. For a child with Nephrotic Syndrome they are toxic, as they put a lot of stress on the little body that doesn't know what to do with these chemicals.