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
Key findings
- Blood glucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
The Nephrotic Syndrome Supportive Care protocol
2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements
- Vitamin D2,000–4,000 IU daily (may need active vitamin D forms - consult nephrologist)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–4 g EPA+DHA daily
Studies cited
58 studies from PubMed
- Effects of spirulina and wakame consumption on intestinal cholesterol absorption and serum lipid concentrations in non-hypercholesterolemic adult men and women
- Spirulina in Health and Disease Prevention: A Comprehensive Review
- Spirulina Supplementation and Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis
- Spirulina and Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review
- Spirulina (Arthrospira): Nutritional Value and Health Effects
- Spirulina and Immune Function: A Systematic Review
- Safety Assessment of Spirulina (Arthrospira) as a Dietary Supplement
- A Systematic Review of the Effects of Spirulina on Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Effects of Spirulina on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Spirulina: Evidence from Clinical Studies
- Effects of Spirulina on Body Weight and Blood Glucose: A Meta-Analysis
- Effect of Spirulina maxima on postprandial lipemia in young runners: a preliminary report
- Wheat grass supplementation decreases oxidative stress in healthy subjects: a comparative study with spirulina
- Spirulina maxima improves insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and total antioxidant status in obese patients with well-treated hypertension: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
- Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 polymorphism interaction with spirulina immunomodulatory effects in healthy Korean elderly: A 16 week, double-blind randomized clinical trial
- A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study to establish the effects of spirulina in elderly Koreans
- An attempt to induce an immunomodulatory effect in rowers with spirulina extract
- Effects of a Spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patients
- The effects of Spirulina on anemia and immune function in senior citizens
- Enhancement of natural killer cell activity in healthy subjects by Immulina®, a Spirulina extract enriched for Braun-type lipoproteins
- 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 trials
- 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 Trial
- 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 trial
- 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 trial
- Effects of Spirulina supplementation on obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
- Effect of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima Supplementation and a Systematic Physical Exercise Program on the Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness of Overweight or Obese Subjects: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Crossover Controlled Trial
- Spirulina supplementation as an adjuvant therapy in enhancement of antioxidant capacity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials
- Clinical comparison of the efficacy of spirulina platensis and cetirizine for treatment of allergic rhinitis
- The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis
- Effects of spirulina consumption on body weight, blood pressure, and endothelial function in overweight hypertensive Caucasians: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial
- Effects of dietary Spirulina on vascular reactivity
- Spirulina maxima Decreases Endothelial Damage and Oxidative Stress Indicators in Patients with Systemic Arterial Hypertension: Results from Exploratory Controlled Clinical Trial
- Antihyperlipemic and antihypertensive effects of Spirulina maxima in an open sample of Mexican population: a preliminary report
- The influence of obesity on the effects of spirulina supplementation in the human metabolic response of Korean elderly
- Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation in humans
- Spirulina supplementation improves oxygen uptake in arm cycling exercise
- Preventive effects of Spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress
- The Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Redox Status and Performance Following a Muscle Damaging Protocol
- A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study of spirulina supplementation on indices of mental and physical fatigue in men
- Hepatoprotective effects of Spirulina maxima in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case series
- The hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina ( Arthrospira platensis) supplementation in a Cretan population with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective pilot study
- The effect of Spirulina supplementation on lipid profile: GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials.
- A randomized study to establish the effects of spirulina in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
- Role of Spirulina in the Control of Glycemia and Lipidemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Spirulina supplementation during gradual weight loss in competitive wrestlers
- Spirulina platensis effectively ameliorates anthropometric measurements and obesity-related metabolic disorders in obese or overweight healthy individuals: A randomized controlled trial
- Effects of spirulina supplementation on body composition in adults: a GRADE-assessed and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs.
- The effects of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, sleep quality, mental health, fatigue status and quality of life in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial
- Hypocholesterolemic effect of spirulina in patients with hyperlipidemic nephrotic syndrome
- The hypolipidemic effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) supplementation in a Cretan population: a prospective study
- Spirulina platensis Provides a Small Advantage in Vertical Jump and Sprint Performance But Does Not Improve Elite Rugby Players' Body Composition
- Clinical Safety of a High Dose of Phycocyanin-Enriched Aqueous Extract from Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study with a Focus on Anticoagulant Activity and Platelet Activation
- Impact of Spirulina Supplementation on Semen Parameters in Patients with Idiopathic Male Infertility: A Pilot Randomized Trial
- Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with Spirulina fusiformis
- The effect of Spirulina platensis versus soybean on insulin resistance in HIV-infected patients: a randomized pilot study
- Spirulina platensis versus silymarin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. A pilot randomized, comparative clinical trial
- Spirulina did not ameliorate idiopathic chronic fatigue in four N-of-1 randomized controlled trials
- Efficacy of spirulina extract plus zinc in patients of chronic arsenic poisoning: a randomized placebo-controlled study