Can Kidney Disease be cured?: By following a... - Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease

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Can Kidney Disease be cured?

Dllfb profile image
14 Replies

By following a renal diet ( almost all vegan/plant based with some chicken,,2.5 oz servings 3 or 4x weekly) since January, I’m so pleased that I brought up my gfr from 54 to 78 and my creatinine from 98 to 77...in 3 months. I had been on a steady decline...from 85 gfr to 54 for 3 years. All my other bloodwork and urinalysis has been normal. My ultrasound results from Feb. showed mild scaring. I’ve read that I will have to make this way of eating my new norm. However, my family dr yesterday, told me that I cured my kd and can slowly go back to eating more meats etc. I told him that I’ve heard that once the kidneys are damaged they will not repair. He said that depended on what was wrong with them..obviously my improved numbers have shown that my kidneys have gotten better. Due to past experiences...Im not so reliant on my dr’s words. I have yet to see a nephrologist...my first appointment with him is in July. Any thought/knowledge on this would be greatly appreciated.

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Dllfb profile image
Dllfb
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14 Replies
Bassetmommer profile image
BassetmommerNKF Ambassador

You brought your numbers up. Congratulations. The kidneys are not so stressed and so it reflects in the labs. Did you cure them? I do not think so. What you did was make them work better and easier. So keep your diet and stay healthy. I have not had a piece of red meat in 36 years and I do not miss. Matter of fact, looking at meat now makes me gag. So you keep doing what you are doing and live a long healthy life.

There is no cure for kidney disease. You can, by doing a variety of things, slow the progression. I've included a link below to give you the information you need. I'd also suggest that you share the article with your family doctor when you finish.

At diagnosis, my GFR was 32. Since then I've had it as high as 65, but more importantly I've manage to average a GFR of 52 over the previous four years.

Speak to your nephrologist, meet with a renal dietitian, stay hydrated with water, no taking of NSAIDs, avoid red meats, cured foods, processed foods, have an exercise regimen designed for you by your doctors (except perhaps the family doctor, at least until you find a new one), track all of your lab results (especially GFR, serum creatinine, albumin to creatinine ratio, and blood urea nitrogen). Monitoring all of your results will allow you to stay on top of your kidney function and help you come up with questions to ask a knowledgeable physician.

kidney.org/atoz/content/Kid...

Ericky profile image
Ericky in reply to

That is awesome great news, keep up the good work.

Knobbs profile image
Knobbs in reply to

Hi there. I am newly diagnosed and have adjusted my diet. I am trying to find a good milk alternative. Currently using long life Almond milk but I am sure that is pumped with potassium. What do you use? Thinking of going the homemade oat milk route. Your thoughts?

in reply to Knobbs

No dairy products are in my meal plan. When I met my renal dietitian we went over all of my options, based on my preferences and needs and dairy was not beneficial.

Bet117 profile image
Bet117NKF Ambassador

Hi Dllfb,

Thanks for sharing your good news! I am so happy for you.

I have been plant based since 2017 and then it was just chicken, egg whites and fish. Don't miss it a bit!

Bassetmommer and Mr._ Kidney said it all.

Keep doing what your doing.

Not a diet, a lifestyle change which is working to prevent progression as unfortunately there is no cure or magic pill for kidney issues.

Diligence and self care.

You are on your way!

Bet 😊

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador

There is no cure for CKD. What you have managed to do by changing your diet is making your kidneys work easier and without all of the stress. Just as Bassetmommer said, it reflects in your recent lab values. Unfortunately, once your kidneys are scarred or damaged, there is no reversing that. Congrats on stabilizing your kidneys with your diet. Unfortunately, this diet will be your new norm. You can be proud that you managed to improve your eGFR on your own.Keep up the good work!

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT

Dear Dllfb,

Let me answer, your question thus... Your Sewer is Blocked and everything is 'Backing Up', all over the place- your Home, the Street, the Local Pub. Along come the Service Team, with the correct equipment- some Jetting, maybe some Plunging, and the Sewer 'Works' again. In Cleaning, the Sewer, it is Got 'Working' BUT, no repair has actually been made to the Sewer Itself. The slight 'cave in'- a third of the way down, the 'old sacks'- about half way and the 'abandoned carpet'- near the end are ALL 'Still There'. Do you see what I'm Getting At?

In your case a Careful Diet, coupled with 'Kidney Friendly Fluids', might- very well- help Preserve your Kidney Function, though I can't say for how long. Don't forget that until Renal (Kidney) Function is Below Ten Percent, you will notice NO ill effects. (in other words there are, almost certainly, Older People with Severely Reduced Kidney Function (perhaps as low as fifteen percent) who are 'Entirely Healthy'.

I had a Kidney Transplant, in July 2013, and when it was last checked- in January/ February this year- I had close to Fifty Percent function... with only One Kidney (in other words it's Functioning Almost Perfectly- thank God).

I hope that I have explained, your Position, in a way that you can relate to Dllfb. Obviously if you Do have any further questions then we- on this 'Forum'- will try to answer you further.

It only remains, for me, to send All our

Very best wishes

AndrewT

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8

CONGRATS on raising your eGFR. That's awesome! If you're still curious as to how your kidneys are doing, I would request a cystatin-c test. I would then plug that number along with your creatinine number into the combined formula utilizing both. It's a more accurate number than creatinine alone. Do a little research, then decide for yourself. My combined cystatin-c and creatinine formula significantly raised my eGFR.

Autumncolor profile image
Autumncolor in reply to Marvin8

"I would then plug that number along with your creatinine number into the combined formula utilizing both"What is the formula you mentioned? My husband would like to do this.

Marvin8 profile image
Marvin8 in reply to Autumncolor

kidney.org/professionals/kd...

miketrial profile image
miketrial

Whole food Plant based diet, low SOS (salt, oil,sugar) is proven best for a variety of hea ll th issues...ForksOverKnives.com NutritionFacts.org

Drmcdougall.com

Pcrm.org

Ericky profile image
Ericky

Wow congratulations on your GFR increase. I have looked at several studies discussing plant based diets for ckd and they were all positive and encouraging. So much that with your success I am going to try it. I found out 3 weeks ago I am stage 3a. I am currently in the waiting room waiting to see my nephrologist for the firts time. My gfr is 53. Hopeful I can raise mine like you did. Keep up the great work.

Dllfb profile image
Dllfb in reply to Ericky

Well good luck to you! If I could better mine I’m sure you can as well.

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