The amazing Kidney

[TableTennisMama]

I’m a senior citizen with stage 3B chronic kidney disease. My kidneys were damaged when I was eight years old. Unlike most with CKD, I am not diabetic. It seems that a plant based low protein diet is the only known way to maintain what’s left of my kidney function so I’m always looking for diet information from those in the same boat.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

The best recommendation is to go see a renal dietician if you can. Diets need to be created with each individual in mind. Low protein for one maybe too low for another. There is a lot of information here in this site of people's experiences with diet. I did plant based for about two years and it help keep my numbers steady. However, I needed to eventually add in some chicken and fish for energy. Actually, they say...whoever THEY are, the Mediterranean is the best, but no red meat such as beef or lamb or goat.... ugh, goat. No thanks.

[bumblebee_tuna]

There are medications that slow the decline, are you taking anything?

[TableTennisMama in reply to bumblebee_tuna]

I am contemplating getting Albutrix. But I am not taking anything RX for kidney disease.

[bumblebee_tuna in reply to TableTennisMama]

The best medicine we have for slowing down CKD is Farxiga (or other similar SGLT2i drugs). The risk for UTI is a lot lower for non diabetic because you won't have high level of glucose. It might lower your blood pressure though. Something you can ask your doctor about.

[BlueLe in reply to bumblebee_tuna]

my nephrologist started me on Farxiga about a month back after he saw protein in urine continuing to climb. A week after taking it there was some reduction in protein in urine. But creatinine jumped. He said that’s normal. He is not in favor of a low protein diet, though I am trying a vegan diet since Dec on my own. Let’s see what the results show in a couple of months.

[Miss-guineapig]

Similar to you TableTennis I do not have diabetes, nor hypertension. I have 3a CKD and found out following a scan that I have scarring on my right kidney, I believe it could be from having Pyelonephritis when I was pregnant, but no way now to say for sure. My kidneys are a good size and I feel positive. Just from what I read from this site and in general research, I am trying to eat low protein with eggs, fish and chicken. I am exploring plant based foods too so will see how that works. My GP has advised lifestyle changes so I am taking daily walking serious at the moment, and weight loss. No medication recommended as I far as I’m aware, wishing you well xx

[TableTennisMama in reply to Miss-guineapig]

Thank you, hope your numbers turn in the right direction! I have to get into daily exercise as well.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I too am a senior and was diagnosed at CKD 3b. My bloodwork also was showing high phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and protein was high also. I was put on appropriate CKD diet based on these factors. So far diet is working for me the eGFR shows. Best to ask Doctor about possible CKD diet based on your bloodwork.

[TableTennisMama in reply to orangecity41]

my CKD doctor has advised me to go plant-based diet but no real details. However, he connected me to a renal dietitian and I’ve had one telehealth meeting with her. Still, without specific recipes, and some disagreement and confusion about how much protein I should be eating, it’s rough. I discovered MrKraftyMan on YouTube and FB and starting to follow his plan. And I already have the book stopping kidney disease so getting a lot of information from that. I think I’m just so tired that I’m easily overwhelmed. 😜

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to TableTennisMama]

I would ask for a specific written diet for you. Did your renal dietitian mention anything on your blood levels of sodium, potassium or phosphorus. Maybe is no need to decrease these?? Possibly only protein? Davita offers a good class on CKD.

[TableTennisMama in reply to orangecity41]

my blood results back in March of this year showed GFR 37, phosphorus high at 4.4, and sodium was borderline low at 134. Potassium was normal at 4.3. I agree, a written diet plan would be very helpful. But I am reluctant to follow Davita since they make their $ from dialysis. 🤷

[userotc in reply to TableTennisMama]

I understand your reluctance re Davita but also note below commercial, vested interests of the controlling body of dieticians, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This is 1 of the reasons that I recommend qualified Nutritional Therapists instead of dieticians (the other is personal, bad experience!). If that's of interest, I can send you links to NTs from which you can choose eg renal specialism.

cambridge.org/core/journals...

[TableTennisMama in reply to userotc]

Wow very interesting. Yes I wouldn’t mind seeing those links. Thank you very much!

[userotc in reply to TableTennisMama]

Hi, please see 2 links below from which you ought to find one or more suitable for you. CNHC registration is also recommended for the 1st one. Good luck.

practitioner-search.bant.or...

theanp.co.uk/member-directory/

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to TableTennisMama]

Phosphorus levels of 4.4 isn't considered high by most labs and nephrologists. The level for high is anything over 5.5 per labs and doctors but different labs and doctors....varies slightly. Check out kidneyschool.org Blessings

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to orangecity41]

I did take Davita class and was only about Chronic Kidney Disease.

[phebamom]

GFR for me is 39. Cause unknown, but high blood pressure probable culprit. Not diabetic. I also have an auto-immune inflammatory vasculitis which contributes to kidney issues. We raise beef cattle so suffice to say beef has always been a large part of our diet. My husband is a big meat eater. His GFR is 115 at age 70. Go figure! I have always been a picky eater concerning meat. I eat a little, not a lot, four ounces at most. I have cut back on beef to 2 times a week at the instruction of my oncologist. I also carry a protein in my blood that causes cancer. Yea, I'm a mess. I made one dietary change that is really helping me. I make a smoothie for lunch every day. 1 percent milk, Greek yogurt and frozen unsweetened fruit. I put it in a blender and make it into a smoothie. I get nutrients, micronutrients, protein in a whey form and the minerals I need in a natural form. I also get the good bacteria and a ton of fiber. My digestive system loves the stuff. I tried supplements and every time I take a supplement my kidneys have trouble processing it and I get sick. The more natural form of nutrition in the smoothie really seems to suit me. I know there is a cookbook on the internet available. Forget the name of it that has smoothies for kidney patients. I checked the book out of the library and used the recipes to come up with my own recipe that suited me. I change up the fruit and in the future plan to try green smoothies, not there yet.

[drmind]

I think a lot of people go thru this diet thing. And, sharing recipes is hard because we have to diet to our labs and medical problems and we're all different. I advise you to go slow and do a few recipes at a time. I went to 3 dietitians and all sold or tried to sell me diets that were all vegan. I Iooked them over and knew they weren't me. All my labs are within normal range except the kidney ones, I now eat salad, other veggies, small amounts of fish, chicken, cheese, or eggs. I'm on a very low protein diet with lots of veggies and fruit. I also watch my sodium carefully. All is well.so far. I'm a senior and have been on gfr 3b for about 6 years now. Fingers crossed. Good luck with work with YOUR lab results. It gets easier if you pay attention to those and not all the recioes online.

[WheresNaldo in reply to drmind]

I’m 36. My experience and diet is similar to yours. All my numbers are good except for the kidney ones. Plant based diet 98% of the time. I eat salmon once in a blue moon. My alkaline phosphatase is very high though. I just started taking vitamin k2 mk7 to shuttle calcium back into my bones. Taking vitamin D 5iu daily. I’m taking a magnesium blend to help absorb the vitamin D.

GFR 41, creatinine 2.12.

I don’t exceed 60 grams of protein daily and my sodium is capped at 600mgs. I eat a lot of bananas and avocados without any issues. I work out frequently and carry a bottle of water with my everywhere I go.

[drmind in reply to WheresNaldo]

Please check your sodium intake with your nephologist. Our bodies need sodium and your intake at 600 mg seems very low. Limits are usually set at around 1500 to 2000 mg. Best always

[WildIris]

You can lower your creatinine on blood tests by drinking a lot of water, avoiding exercise and avoiding dietary protein in the hours before the test, but I assume that's not what you're asking. I just mention it because I didn't understand that at first and put too much weight on eGFR. My eGFR fluctuates. Apparently a too-high urea nitrogen to creatinine level, (done on most blood panels) is more predictive of CKD progression and there's another element called PENK (I think) that's even more aligned with kidney function but is not available on most blood tests.

When I found out I had CKD, I immediately gave up sugar/sweeteners and went on a vegan, high fruit and vegetable diet, started regular exercise lost 80 pounds over a year or two and feel a lot better, especially my heart and BP. I make a vegetable soup with beans and tofu, flavored to my taste. every 4 days or so and have a big bowl every day. I have a romaine salad with apples and raisins and veggies and flavorful crackers in the evening and oatmeal with lots of blueberries and walnuts and cinnamon in the morning. I snack on fruit and nuts. Its kind of like a religion by now, I'm embarrassed to admit. There are a lot of other options with more grains, but I gain weight too easily. I love blueberries! And the other stuff I eat. I used to take Albutrix but stopped because of the cost. I don't think I get enough protein now, I'm thinking of adding an egg-white somewhere in there, maybe hard-boiled on the salad. Good luck!

[tresa56 in reply to WildIris]

My egrt is low..but my urea nitrogen to creatine ratio always comes back fine...Does this mean my kidneys are somewhat ok?

[TableTennisMama in reply to tresa56]

I am not knowledgeable enough about this to answer. Sorry.

[KajNybom]

May I ask how you damaged your kidneys? I am 73 and just found out I have 3aCKD. To my knowledge my parents did not have this and I don't recall any damage to the kidneys. Still looking for answers. Thank you.

[TableTennisMama]

when I was eight years old I was unable to urinate for approximately five days before I went to the hospital and had my urethra dilated. I have no idea why this happened. I have to assume that the kidneys were damaged at this time as the urine backed up and damaged them.

One thing I noticed is that MDs routinely fail to tell patients that they have diminished kidney function. By the time I was told, I gathered up years of my prior blood labs only to find that my numbers had been stage 3 for years. Sad.