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Stage 3 Kidney Disease and Diet: What can I eat?
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Mar 17 9:38am | Replies (756)Comment receiving replies
You can raise your GFR.
You are correct that there is no cure, however, there are solutions.
I found out I had Kidney Disease by accident, and the nephrologist was not interested in offering guidance or suggestions. - my GFR was 50. On my own, I fought my way to the hospital nutritionist. However, I am not sure she is a kidney nutritionist. What I have done has been on my own. Apparently, being in Stage 3 when you are older, means you won't reach dialysis so you are on your own.
Nine months later, my GFR is 65-69. I have progressed from State 3 or b, to Stage 2.
This is because I began to self educate and I changed my diet. Alone in a virtual ocean of information, you can still figure out the proper course to take, and by comparing and analyzing the help out there, you can take giant strides in kidney management.
It is all about diet and that is how you will slow down, stop or reverse your condition. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years, so the meat was not an issue. The big four you need to consider are meat, dairy, salt, and sugar. There is a lot of help and guidance online, and by studying various diet advice and kidney-friendly help, you can become very well informed and begin to work on raising your GFR.
Replies to "You can raise your GFR. You are correct that there is no cure, however, there are..."
As I understand, there are 2 types of kidney disease, acute and chronic. Further, acute may be "remedied" to a greater GFR because there may have been a traumatic event associated with kidneys. On, the other hand , chronic is the condition where over time and age through diabetes or high blood pressure, typically, the kidneys weaken but can be controlled and slowed somewhat to a degree through exercise and proper nutrition with the help of a renal or diabetic dietitian or one of many recognized kidney organizations. My acupuncturist has shown to me those acute patients who did achieve a greater GFR through acupuncture and herbal remedies, but she also has a PhD degree in Immunolgy from a top rated US College. Cure, as I previously stated, unfortunately, does not exist among CKD patients, but can be remedied to some extent. But as Ginger, one of our monitors, often points out, it is the "trend" of the GFR that matters the most. I never said there are no solutions, and I just gave evidence of proper medical help. I applaud you for achieving your goals with this disease, but as a vegetarian perhaps you may have not experienced long term problems through diabetes or high blood pressure as the majority of CKD patients have. I repeat, there is no one overall solution to CKD for all patients, but in many cases, can be slowed with proper health control by a medical technician or family of technicians.
I love the feedback from monitors, Ginger and Colleen,on this forum when you read their responses to questions posed. I have yet to see a doc respond on Mayo Connect, so these two represent a wealth of knowledge on this forum. Should you see their comments, you will have received great information.
Hi There,
I’m specifically interested in what you did to improve your GFR. I’ve been a vegetarian/ vegan for over 30 years. My GFR currently is 59, up from 53-54 2 years ago. I started acupuncture and Chinese herbs prescribed by a practitioner who deals with kidney function. My potassium is under control and not elevated. Are you limiting sugar, alcohol? Has that made a difference with increasing your GFR? Would appreciate knowing how you improved. I have no other medical conditions, other than age (which I understand can contribute to lower kidney functioning). Thank you.
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usanna82----my suggestion reference kidneyhood.org was to collegeprof----your experience is exactlly what the KH program follows. Their program offers a supplement "Albutrix-which helps to offset lost protien with "low-protien diet".. Thank you, "dogpoundginger"