You’ve been diagnosed with CKD and you’re trying to figure out what to do about it. Here are 4 ways to protect your kidney health.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to the gradual loss of kidney function over time. It is typically characterized by damage to the kidneys that impairs their ability to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood effectively. CKD is a progressive condition that can advance through stages from mild to severe, affecting various aspects of kidney function, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine output. It often develops slowly over years and can be caused by conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, or other kidney-related conditions. Early detection and management are crucial to slowing its progression and reducing complications.
Stages of chronic kidney disease
CKD is divided into 5 stages. Your stage of CKD is determined using a blood test called an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (uACR). You need to have the testing done twice about 3 months apart for an accurate diagnosis.
Stage 1: eGFR 90 or higher and kidney damage; (e.g. uACR 30 or higher) for 3 months or more
Stage 2: eGFR 60-89 and kidney damage; (e.g. uACR 30 or higher) for 3 months or more
Stage 3a: Mild to moderate loss of kidney function; (eGFR 45-59 for 3 months or more)
Stage 3b: Moderate to severe loss of kidney function; (eGFR 30-44 for 3 months or more)
Stage 4: Severe loss of kidney function; (eGFR 15-29 for 3 months or more)
Stage 5: Kidney failure; (eGFR less than 15 for 3 months or more) or you are on dialysis
A blessing in disguise?
With the utmost sensitivity, I’d like you to consider that a diagnosis with CKD may be an absolute blessing in disguise. It can be the wake up call you’ve needed for a long time.
You probably know your eating habits need to change. You’ve probably known that for a while. But you haven’t been motivated to change.
Until now.
Now there is a tangible reality in front of you. You’re facing the possibility of ongoing kidney function decline, which you know could have the very undesirable outcome of landing you in a dialysis clinic.
And nobody wants that.
So you’re on a mission to find out what you can do to prevent that from becoming a reality. Well…you’ve come to the right place! There is PLENTY you can do to help stabilize your kidney function and prevent ongoing kidney function decline. We’ll just cover 4 of them here. Check out this blog if you’re hungry for more.
Let’s start with the most obvious.
Sodium
First, reducing sodium intake is a key strategy for slowing kidney function decline, especially if you’re in stages 2–4. Here’s how it helps:
1. Reduces Blood Pressure
- High sodium intake can increase blood pressure, which can strain the kidneys and accelerate their decline. By reducing sodium consumption, blood pressure often improves, protecting the kidneys from further damage.
2. Eases Fluid Retention
- Excess sodium causes the body to retain water, leading to swelling and increased workload on the kidneys. Lower sodium intake reduces fluid retention, making it easier for the kidneys to function efficiently.
3. Supports Heart Health
- CKD and cardiovascular health are closely linked. High sodium intake can lead to heart issues, which in turn, worsen kidney function. Reducing sodium supports both heart and kidney health.
4. Lowers Protein Loss in Urine
- Studies show that high sodium intake can increase protein excretion in the urine (proteinuria), a marker of kidney damage. A low-sodium diet can help reduce this loss, preserving kidney function.
Protein
Reducing protein intake is another important step in slowing kidney function decline in CKD stages 2–4. Here’s how it helps:
1. Reduces Kidney Workload
- The kidneys filter waste products from protein metabolism. High protein intake increases this workload, potentially accelerating kidney damage. A moderate protein diet helps ease the strain on the kidneys.
2. Lowers Uremic Toxins
- Excess protein produces uremic toxins, which can build up in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning well. Reducing protein intake helps limit these toxins, improving overall health.
3. Minimizes Proteinuria
- High protein intake can increase protein loss in the urine (proteinuria), a sign of kidney damage. Reducing protein consumption helps lower this loss, protecting kidney tissues.
Phosphate
Managing phosphate intake is crucial for slowing the progression CKD, not only because it damages the kidneys themselves, but also because it can impact the cardiovascular system and calcium balance.
1. Reduces Vascular Calcification
- High phosphate intake can lead to calcification (hardening) of blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lowering phosphate intake supports heart health, which is closely linked to kidney health.
2. Prevents Overwork of the Parathyroid Glands
- Elevated phosphate stimulates the parathyroid glands to release hormones that disrupt calcium balance and further harm the kidneys. Managing phosphate helps prevent overactivation of these glands.
3. Slows Kidney Damage
- High phosphate levels contribute to kidney damage by promoting inflammation and fibrosis. Reducing dietary phosphate helps slow the decline in kidney function.
Fruits and Vegetables
Increasing plant intake is a powerful way to support kidney health and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stages 2–4.
1. Reduces Acid Load on the Kidneys
- Animal-based diets often produce a high acid load, which the kidneys must work hard to excrete. Plant-based foods generate less acid and contain natural compounds (like bicarbonates) that neutralize acids, reducing strain on the kidneys.
2. Lowers Inflammation
- Plants are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, key contributors to kidney damage.
3. Improves Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Health
- A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health, both critical for slowing CKD progression.
4. Provides Fiber for Gut Health
- Fiber in plant-based foods supports gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. A healthy gut can reduce the buildup of kidney-damaging toxins in the bloodstream.
5. Reduces Proteinuria
- Diets rich in plants have been shown to lower protein levels in urine, helping protect kidney tissues and slow CKD progression.
These 4 ways to protect your kidney health: reducing sodium intake, reducing protein intake, reducing phosphate intake, and increasing fruit and vegetable intake just scratch the surface when it comes to the many opportunities that exist for improving or maintaining kidney health. Working with a registered dietitian who is also a kidney nutrition specialist can be very helpful for determining your particular opportunities for kidney health and getting the support you need to implement them.
References
Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/stages-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd
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