Stage 3: Looking to promote kidney health

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

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

PLEASE HELP! No matter how well I eat (only plant based protein) my kidneys appear to get worse! Recently my egfr (57) went to 41!! WTH!! And my creatinine increased from 1.12 to 1.14! My proteinurea improved…BUT KIDNEYS WONT BUDGE! Anyone else in similar situation? Anyone got better? Here I thought I was proactive in avoiding dialysis but it just seems that a lppb diet, avoiding processed foods, never consuming sodas, is simply not enough.

@dgr8im
Hi,
Such things as ethnicity, age and natural kidney decline all tax the kidneys out of our control. Then medical conditions and medications can cause decline as well, not to mention what you have been doing and eating prior to drawing blood. The reality is all you can do is try your best. My theory is do what I can and be satisfied I'm trying. Just recovered from GFR39 back up to GFR45, all due to metformin for my diabetes. That can be crossed of the acceptable list once again.
Cheers.

@dgr8im welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are not alone. We members here are on similar healthy journeys and share our experiences to offer hope and encouragement. If you scroll through this thread you will see lots of good information like what @cheyne wrote in response to you. It is helpful to learn all you can about things that can affect your kidney function such as diet, ethnicity, exercise, hydration, medication, other health conditions….. etc. I am 69 (11 years older than you) and my eGFR has been in the low 30’s for about a decade (34 at present.) Yes eGFR and creatinine are real things to be concerned about but should not be allowed to “rule your entire world”. Health is more than just that. Do you have healthcare providers you trust and a support network you can depend upon?

@cheyne
Thank you for your encouraging reply:) I will also continue my healthy eating habits and keeping the faith that I am doing all I can. My lab did show that I am not spilling protein like before. Bubbly urine and that ammonia taste are a thing of the past, so that counts too! Just wish I wasn’t so heck-bent on that egfr and creatinine that rules my entire world. I am getting older (58) and have learned that kidneys also naturally age:/. Thank you, kindly!

@dgr8im
Hi,
One day you will realise CKD isn't the death sentence we are all shocked by initially. It knocked me for a six and took 5 years to figure it out, the D is for disease. My mother-in-law lived to 95 with GFR 18 for some years, yes somewhat restricted in her abilities but none the less she made do with no help whatsoever. We just have to modify or lifestyles and be mindful of what we are doing in respect of our health. Being fixated on our health problems certainly doesn't help the situation, it messes with the brain and isn't healthy. Just be satisfied you are aware of your kidney problem, many don't get a warning, do what you can to minimise the risk and get on with your life. Enjoy every moment possible.
Cheers