Stage 3: Looking to promote kidney health

Hi,
I found following a kidney friendly diet is all I have had to do. I stick with healthy and fresh foods not off the shelf man adulterated foods, staying clear of sodas and sugar substitues as they can damage kidneys. I cut back on red meat and only have it 2 weekly going with chicken and fish instead. I'm 73 and have been able to keep my GFR between 38 and 45 for a few years now. Kidney function does decrease with age naturally. Some people need to change their lifestyles but I have been lucky that my lifestyle was good to start with. GFR 51 is pretty good for the age anyway so no need to panic just be mindful of what you eat and how you treat your kidneys. I make a point of having my quarterly bloods done at around the same time of day and after doing and eating the same things so I get a consistant measure of what my kidneys are doing. What you injest and are doing before blood is drawn can make a big change in your GFR, vigorous exercise and it can drop a lot. I tried it once to see the responce of my doctors, made them sit up and panic at the big drop. When my GFR drops I look at what I have been eating and doing that might have caused the drop and don't do it again. Medications can also effect the kidneys and most Dr's will mitigate your health without consulting you, I refuse to let them do that to me. My stats prove I'm doing the right thing by me kidneys. I watch the colour of my urine to tell me if my kidneys are doing the job required. The colour should be clear to light straw which indicates your kidneys are working fine and you are getting enough fluids to flush them. Don't be fooled into thinking you have to drink, drink and drink, to much fluid can be harmful as well to the kidneys. As kidneys decrease so does the immune system so maybe scripted vitamin D3 should be looked at to help.
Cheers

@wajeehasyed Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I see that @cheyne has already posted a great response to your question. It's great that you are looking into ways to help your father.

What your father is experiencing is pretty normal. A few things I want to point out, if you don't mind. We want to look at the trends in our blood work, not just a one-time value. That said, what other readings has your dad had, and how do they compare? Things that might affect readings: being ill recently, being dehydrated [not getting enough fluids], exercise just before having blood taken, poor sleep.

If your dad has other health conditions, that can certainly affect the value, as can certain medications as a side-effect.

Healthful eating, minimizing stress, moderate exercise can all be very helpful. Here is a link to looking at a renal diet:
from Renal Support Network: https://www.rsnhope.org/nutrition-data-information-for-the-kidney-diet/
from Nephcure: https://nephcure.org/managing-rkd/diet-and-nutrition/renal-diet/
Remember, what works for one person may not work for another. And if we have a restricted diet already due to another health concerns, it can make it more of a challenge!

Has your father's doctor referred him to a nephrologist, yet?
Ginger

Lots of fresh, not cooked vegetables, fresh fruits. lots of water to flush out the kidneys, fish, very lean and very little red meat, chicken. gator ade fir electrolyte replentishment. It worked for me! Hope it works!

Hi there,

First of all, I want to say you’re not alone. My father is 71 and was also diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (eGFR 29). It was scary at first, but we’ve learned a lot on this journey and I’m truly happy to share everything that’s helped us so far.

👨‍⚕️ Medical & Monitoring
We started by getting him under the care of an excellent nephrologist (Prof. Dr. Salman Tahir Shafi, based in Pakistan — here’s his profile). He created a plan that included:

Regular blood tests every 3–4 weeks to monitor:

eGFR

Serum creatinine

Urea

Potassium

Uric acid

Sodium levels

Blood sugar (as he is diabetic)

Blood Pressure Monitoring daily — high BP worsens kidney function.

Weight and urine tracking — sudden changes can indicate fluid retention or worsening function.

🥗 Dietary Restrictions We Follow Strictly
A kidney-friendly diet can slow the disease. Here’s what we follow (with help from the doctor and nutritionist):

❌ Foods to Avoid
High Potassium: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, dry fruits

High Phosphorus: Milk, yogurt, cheese, cola drinks, packaged foods

High Sodium: Pickles, papads, chips, canned soups, bakery items, processed food

High Protein: Red meat, eggs, too many lentils — only small portions of white meat weekly

Oxalates: Cauliflower, beetroot

No added salt in food

✅ Safe Foods in Moderation
Rice, white bread, daliya (porridge)

Apple, papaya, cucumber (low potassium fruits)

Boiled/steamed green beans, lauki (bottle gourd), tori (ridge gourd), karela

1.5 small rotis per meal with a controlled portion of cooked vegetables

6–8 glasses of water/day (doctor guided — don’t overdo if swelling is present)

💊 Medication Routine
(This varies for everyone, but here's what helped us)

Loprin 75 mg (blood thinner)

Carvida 3.125 mg (BP)

Lasix 20 mg (diuretic — helps with swelling)

Zyloric 100 mg (for uric acid)

Ruling 40 mg (for acid reflux)

Ketocell, Elezo (for kidneys & vitamins)

Maxflow 0.4 (for urinary flow)

Insulin (adjusted dose based on sugar readings — often 8 units morning & night)

Always consult the doctor before changing anything.

⚠️ Symptoms to Watch Closely
You need to act fast if you see any of these:

Sudden fatigue or drowsiness

Swelling in feet, face, eyes, or belly

Decreased appetite or nausea

Confusion or trouble focusing

Reduced urination or frothy urine

Breathlessness (fluid retention)

Muscle cramps (low calcium or potassium imbalance)

We had one episode of hypoglycemia when my father missed his 3 PM meal — so we ensure regular meal timings now.

❤️ Emotional & Lifestyle Support
We eat meals together — even if different — to avoid him feeling left out.

Gentle walks in the evening to help circulation.

Constant encouragement and small wins — celebrating every stabilized lab result.

✨ Progress So Far
His eGFR has stabilized

Serum creatinine not rising anymore

Swelling and nausea under control

Appetite and sleep improved

It takes patience, discipline, and support. You're doing a great thing by seeking help early. If I can assist in any way, just reach out. Wishing health and strength to you and your loved one.

Here's the link to the doctor incase you wanna have consultation:
https://www.marham.pk/doctors/lahore/nephrologist/prof-dr-salman-tahir-shafi
Warmly,
Laeeq

Hi, thanks alot to give me motivation.
May Allah bless your and my father with good health and long life Ameen.
Could you please tell me Dr's details which city from Pakistan we are from karachi.

i m sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. With stage 3 CKD and an eGFR of 51, it’s great that you’re looking to take proactive steps. Key precautions include managing blood pressure, controlling blood sugar if diabetic, avoiding NSAIDs, staying well hydrated and limiting salt and processed foods. For diet, a kidney friendly plan usually includes moderate protein like fish or lean chicken, low sodium, and careful monitoring of potassium and phosphorus depending on lab results. A renal dietitian can really help tailor a safe, balanced plan for him. Happy to share sample meal ideas if you had like!

Greetings Cheyne!
Good for you!! I have been holding my breath for 9 months when I discovered my gfr was 52. Since that time I have discontinued nsaids, religiously upped my water consumption to 8-12 cups per day, stuffed myself with vegetables and fruit, and kept up my exercise routine, 4 times per week as I have done my whole life. Also, no sodas. My blood work came back this morning and my GFR was 62, creatinine .86. I'll do my best to keep it going!

ofc if you visit the link you can consult him online through marham he sits in lahore thokar niaz baig farooq hospita please visit the link you will find all details

Amu45sin here.
Thanks so much and glad your dad is doing better.
Your doctor is excellent. I will go to his link.

Hi,
Congratulations. I'm not so regimented on fluid intake instead tayloring my intake by the colour of my urine. Keeping the colour between clear to light straw colour signifies your kidneys are getting enough to keep them flushed and doing their job. The darker the urine the more you should drink.
On my best day I managed to push my GFR to 63 but that was on a very strict and restricted diet. Now days I'm more relaxed about the state of my kidneys hovering between stages 3A and 3B. With multiple health issues going on requiring different diets it is not entirely possible to run with a strict diet anymore.
My one big step forward was getting off dark coloured and sugar free sodas, the chemicals used in them are recognised kidney killers. Then no more man made or adulterated foods of the shelf, sticking to fresh and natural where possible.
Cheers