In January 2020 my CKD numbers were as follows eGFR = 42, Creatinine = 148. My numbers today (just had blood test on 4th November) are eGFR - 54 and creatinine 115. I am a 74 year old male with progressive multiple sclerosis.
I decided to make some big changes to my life as follows.
1. I purchased Lee Hull's book - Stopping Kidney Disease and read it through (it's a big book with over 500 pages).
2. I changed my diet as follows: I began eating a 16/8 fasting mimicking diet (only eating between 12 midday and 8pm in the evening, so fasting for 16 hours and only eating during the 8 hour period) I found this easy to follow and within a few days felt no hunger pangs.
3. I cut back on protein and ate the following on alternating days - plant protein one day and then either chicken or fish on the next day. I tried to keep the amount of protein below 45gms per day.
4. I started to exercise for 1.5 hours every weekday, with no exercise at the weekend. Because of this and the diet, I lost 17 lbs (7.7kg) - this wasn't easy as I am in a wheelchair due to the MS, 95% of the time.
5. I tried to stay hydrated drinking 2.5 litres of fluid per day. (water, tea. coconut milk)
6. All my other numbers - urea, albumin, potassium and sodium were normal at the start and stayed normal throughout.
The above regime worked for me, I realise that other people with CKD have other problems as well as creatinine, but I think if you read through the "Stopping Kidney Disease" book you will find answers to many of the other CKD problems. I have no connection at all with either the author or publishers of the book.
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JAYCEE33
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I am male age 79 and diagnosed with CKD at age 75. My prescribed diet is restricted on sodium, potassium, phosphorus and protein based on bloodwork. Others on CKD diets may not be restricted on all of those. Good that your diet and exercise plan appears to be helping you. Is it being monitored by your Doctor or a dietitian?
The Doctor is aware of it and happy for me to continue especially as he is seeing results better than expected, although I would have continued with all this even if he hadn't been happy with it.
What stage of CKD are you at?
In the book I mentioned the author has an extensive chapter on Kidney Workload and Factors where he talks about addressing the underlying need for sodium and other factors rather than just reducing the sodium etc, he also talks about the adding of phosphorus to ready made and prepared meals (this isn't in the index, you need to search for it) There's also a full chapter on Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products with a long table showing the amount in common foods. This is something I had never heard of but grilled bacon (used to be one of my favourite foods) sits at the top of the list. There is also a chapter on Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) and it's effect on CKD, again something I had never heard of before, again there is long list of foods which are negative or positive.
From all this you can see that I recommend getting the book and taking action.
I was diagnosed at level 3b and progression has slowed with prescribed diet and exercise routine. I definitely would not add sodium to my diet nor phosphorus.
I caution that others on CKD diets should not add phosphorus nor sodium to their diets without consulting with their Doctor or Dietitian.
I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say - in no way was I indicating the author was saying you could add sodium or phosphorus to your diet but to examine the reasons which were causing the problems with sodium or phosphorus, as this often reveals other factors which can be a part of the CKD. In other words looking at the whole picture behind the CKD, instead of just treating symptoms.
I know everyone can be different. My high sodium, and phosphorus and potassium are diagnosed as being part of my kidneys not functioning/filtering properly, so I am restricted on the amounts in my diet. It is always good to analyze the whole picture and look at all bloodwork present and past years.
Hi Jayce33, did you use Lee Hull's Albutrix ? After I read your post, I bought the books straight away. there is also a cookbook by him, which sees you through, while you're labouring through this enormous textbook. But having said which the book is really excellent and advice is invaluable. I too don't find by family doctor or any doctor particularly helpful where diet is concerned as I have a GFR of 50 they all say that it's OK. I bet they wouldn't think that if it were their kidneys !! I mean if you take an exam and get 50% you'd know you hadn't worked very hard, wouldn't you !
Yes I looked at Albutrix but though it expensive and looked into taking extra plant protein to be sure I was having enough protein, some times difficult if you are eating a lot less animal protein. I found a product on Amazon, it was a pea protein mix from organic sources and very reasonably priced, I decided I would try to eat around 45gms of protein a day and calulated all the protein I was eating on my diet and then add enough pea protein powder to make up to 45gms per day. I had the pea protein in a smoothie using coconut milk (Innocent Coconut Milk - again from Amazon) utterly delicious and I am a bit addicted, I have it with my muesli for my mid day breakfast. Once you get into looking up the protein for everything you eat it becomes easy to do.
Jaycee33, A Big Congratulations on taking steps to improve your CKD numbers and sharing your improved results!
I also bought and read Hull's hefty book and would recommend it for those who want to delve deeply because he covers so much material.
Like you, by following a dietitian's combined diabetes/ckd meal plan, exercising and carefully watching my lab numbers, I have improved my ckd numbers.
While each of us is different, I think many of us can improve or maintain our kidney functions if we are willing to put in the work.
Thanks for sharing what seems to be working so well for you!
[This was in reply to vinadhun2 query] As I'm in a wheelchair I visited Youtube and searched for exercises in a wheelchair, and made a list of exercises I thought I could do. Yes I use weights (dumbbells) for some exercises, I also use Bodylastic resistance bands for many of the exercises.
I do around 90 minutes in the morning starting about 9:30 every weekday (never miss this session), then on 3 days a week I do an aerobic session for 20 minutes in the afternoon (occasionally miss this if I'm feeling too tired), again in my wheelchair, found the exercises on YouTube from a paraplegic guy. I have Sat and Sun as my days off!!
Although I started this regime for the CKD I think it has made a difference to the MS as well and has kept my core reasonably strong (not a patch on how I used to be) and think I would have deteriorated even more without it.
Thanks for this! I’ve now ordered The book. My creatinine levels are the only raised aspect for me as well. I’m58 and hoping for some improvement next time my blood is tested !
How often are you having blood tests? I started, with doctors approval at every 6 weeks, then as the figures improved to 8 weeks, next ones will be at 3 months. Also be patient.
She offered annually ! I asked for repeats in three months. I'm in the UK so it's all free at point of use. The drawback is that you cannot demand more , for example, bloods, as it all comes out of a central pot, so to speak.
I am also from the UK. I discussed it with my GP and he said that the correct procedure was for him to ask me how often I want to be tested and go with that, so you need to speak with your GP and tell him what mine said.
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