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Condition

Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney condition in which the filtering units, the glomeruli, become damaged and let large amounts of protein leak into the urine, leaving low blood protein, high cholesterol and swelling. Among supplements, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids have the most research behind them, and the evidence for each is moderate. One small study of 23 people found spirulina improved blood glucose, but evidence for most other options is limited.

Sources: PMID 12487756

Supplements studied
1
Graded outcomes
1
Trials
1
People studied
23

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

1 supplement

Spirulina

Spirulina: outcomes studied for Nephrotic Syndrome
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study23 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)5 studies23 people

Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl)

and 2 more on the Spirulina page

Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)5 studies23 people

Studies that measured total cholesterol

and 2 more on the Spirulina page

TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)1 study23 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

WeightImproves (the measure goes down)1 study23 people

Studies that measured weight

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)23 people
vLDL-CImproves (the measure goes down)23 people

Key findings

  • Blood glucoseSpirulinaImproves (the measure goes down)

The Nephrotic Syndrome Supportive Care protocol

2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements

See the full protocol

Studies cited

13 studies from PubMed

  1. Effects of spirulina and wakame consumption on intestinal cholesterol absorption and serum lipid concentrations in non-hypercholesterolemic adult men and womenEur J Nutr, 2020 · PMID 31388739
  2. Effect of Spirulina maxima on postprandial lipemia in young runners: a preliminary reportJ Med Food, 2012 · PMID 22738038
  3. The hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation in a Cretan population: a prospective studyJ Sci Food Agric · PMID 23754631
  4. Hypocholesterolemic effect of spirulina in patients with hyperlipidemic nephrotic syndromeJ Med Food · PMID 12487756
  5. Effects of spirulina supplementation on body composition in adults: a GRADE-assessed and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs.Nutr Metab · PMID 40528207
  6. The effect of Spirulina supplementation on lipid profile: GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials.Pharmacol Res · PMID 37263369
  7. The hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina ( Arthrospira platensis) supplementation in a Cretan population with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective pilot studyAnn Gastroenterol · PMID 25331487
  8. Hepatoprotective effects of Spirulina maxima in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case seriesJ Med Case Rep · PMID 20370930
  9. The influence of obesity on the effects of spirulina supplementation in the human metabolic response of Korean elderlyNutr Res Pract · PMID 27478549
  10. The effects of spirulina under high-intensity interval training on levels of nesfatin-1, omentin-1, and lipid profiles in overweight and obese females: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trialJ Res Med Sci · PMID 34084189
  11. The effects of Spirulina Platensis on anthropometric indices, appetite, lipid profile and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in obese individuals: a randomized double blinded placebo controlled trialBMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 28431534
  12. Hypolipidemic Effect of Arthrospira ( Spirulina) maxima Supplementation and a Systematic Physical Exercise Program in Overweight and Obese Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Crossover Controlled TrialMar Drugs · PMID 31067674
  13. The effects of spirulina on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPhytother Res · PMID 31359513

Supplement stack for Nephrotic Syndrome