MSUD Diet Recommendations

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What Does an MSUD Diet Look Like?

 When an infant is diagnosed with MSUD their levels of amino acids in the blood are monitored. The three toxic amino acids to them: leucine, isoleucine, and valine are given in dosages depending on their toxic tolerance. These three amino acids are vital for the body and can not be eliminated completely. They are given supplements of the amino acids to help keep the levels balanced. When levels become to high hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis can be used to clean the blood and bring the levels back down.  

Infants are also given a MSUD supplement powder to drink. At times this is along with breast milk, but only a few benefit from breast milk along with the MSUD powder.  The powder supplement that contains the needed amino acids (except the three toxic amino acids), vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that are mandatory for the body. 

Then children up to the age of ten continue taking the powder supplement. The powder supplement can be unflavored or flavored and gives an individual 8.4g of protein that is to be mixed with water so it can be swallowed. Children are supposed to take this supplement along with other foods. However, they must be careful. Children and adults with MSUD must measure and weight their food to accurately intake the correct amount of leucine needed.  If valine or isoleucine is needed a powder supplement can also be given and mixed into the supplement drink. 

When a child becomes an adolescent and an adult the powder supplement provides 15g of protein with 80ml of cold water and shaken. It is again supposed to be drunk along with water and with the correct amount of measured and weighed food.

Note that the powder supplement must be drunk immediately or can be refrigerated up to 24 hours, but no longer. 

It is always important to check with ones primary care doctors and dietary physician for correct nutritional dietary planning. It is also very important that parents and children learn the importance of following their dietary plan. If not followed one with MSUD can have severe complications such as swelling of the brain and tissues, coma, loss of appetite, and eventually death.
These dietary recommendations are altered for each individual, but is a life long commitment and life style for one living with MSUD. 

Also if you or someone you know has MSUD here is a link from the MSUD Family Support Group that has low protein foods for people with MSUD. They even have one for the holidays which is great for Christmas and New Years that are only a month away! 

http://www.msud-support.org/index.php/diet-wise

Sources: Frey, R. (n.d.). Maple Syrup Urine Disease. Retrieved from http://www.diet.com
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