Information for people with Cushing’s syndrome

Taking care of your nutritional health

Getting proper nutrition through a well-balanced diet is very important for people with Cushing’s syndrome. Because Cushing’s syndrome can affect how your body processes some foods, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian, who can advise you on your diet.

Here are a few suggestions on things you can do to have a healthier diet:

Beware of too much sodium
Excess sodium can affect your blood pressure, cause swelling, and make you gain weight. So, try to follow these tips:

• Don’t add extra salt to your food
• Avoid food that is prepared with added salt¹

Be sure to get enough daily calcium and vitamin D
People with Cushing’s disease often develop osteoporosis (fragile bones). Calcium and
vitamin D can be important in strengthening bones.^1,2

Here are guidelines for daily calcium and vitamin D intake based on age. These are the same recommendations as for the general population.^1,2

Recommended daily calcium intake1
Age 1-10	Age 11-24	Age 24 and up
800 mg of calcium	1200 mg of calcium	800 mg of calcium

Recommended daily vitamin D intake2
Age birth-50	Age 51-70	Age 71 and up
5 mcg of vitamin D	10 mcg of vitamin D	15 mcg of vitamin D

Try to keep cholesterol in check
Cushing’s syndrome can cause cholesterol levels to go up. So you should try to limit your intake of fatty foods and use dairy products (such as milk and cheese) that are low in fat.¹

High blood sugar may require special dietary changes
Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood sugar levels (called hyperglycemia). If this happens, special medicine and a special diet may be needed.¹

These are just some of the dietary tips for people with Cushing’s syndrome. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to find out what’s right for you.

Click here for important links to information on Cushing’s syndrome.

References: 1. Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health. Nutrition for patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health;1997:1-2. 2. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplement fact sheet—vitamin D. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD_pf.asp. Accessed October 13, 2009.