How to Protect Your Kidneys

Your kidneys are important. They clean your blood and keep your body healthy.If you have kidney disease, there are many things you can do to slow it down and feel better. Here are the most important steps.

1. Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control

High blood pressure can hurt your kidneys.

What you can do

• Try to keep your blood pressure around 130/80.

• Take your blood pressure medicine every day.

• Many people with kidney disease take medicines like lisinopril or losartan.These help protect the kidneys.

• Limit your intake of salt, which increased your blood pressure

• Increase your intake of garlic, magnesium rich foods, and potassium rich foods, which lower your blood pressure

• Deep breathing and meditation practices can help manage your blood pressure

  
  

2. Manage Your Blood Sugar

High blood sugar can damage the kidneys over time.

Medicines that help your kidneys

Some diabetes medicines help protect your kidneys even if your blood sugar is okay:

• SGLT2 inhibitors (like Jardiance or Farxiga)

• GLP-1 medicines (like Ozempic or Wegovy)

Ask your doctor if these are right for you.

3. Eat a Kidney-Healthy Diet

What you eat can make a big difference.

Good choices

• Eat mostly plant foods: fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains

• Try a Mediterranean-style and Anti-inflammatory

   diet

• Keep salt low (under 2,000 mg a day)

• Choose lean proteins like fish, beans, tofu, or small amounts of chicken

• Eat plenty of healthy fats, including extra virgin olive oil, walnuts, and flax

• Eat lots of fiber, including beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

4. Be Active

Exercise helps your heart, blood pressure, and blood sugar—all of which protect your kidneys.

Goal

• Try to move your body 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.

• Walking, dancing, swimming, or biking all count.

• Strength training is essential for your kidneys.

• Tai chi, Qi gong, and yoga are beneficial for your kidneys, blood pressure, and may improve your mental health

Start small if you need to. Even 10 minutes helps.

5. Avoid Things That Can Hurt Your Kidneys

Some things can cause sudden kidney injury.

Try to avoid

• Ibuprofen, naproxen, and other pain pills like these

• Getting dehydrated

• Using contrast dye for imaging without telling your doctor

• Taking certain medicines when you are very sick with vomiting or diarrhea

Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if a medicine is safe for your kidneys.

6. Take Medicines That Protect Your Kidneys

Your doctor may recommend one or more of these:

• RAS blockers (ACE inhibitors or ARBs like lisinopril or losartan)

• SGLT2 inhibitors (Jardiance, Farxiga)

• nsMRA medications (finerenone/Kerendia)

• GLP-1 medicines (Ozempic, Wegovy)

These medicines work together to slow kidney damage.

7. Know Your Kidney Numbers

You will have three important tests:

• eGFR – shows how well your kidneys work (your "percent" of kidney function working)

• ACR (urine test) – shows if there is protein in your urine

Protein in your urine is a sign your kidneys need help.Your doctor checks these to make sure your treatment is working.

8. When Kidney Disease Is Severe

If your kidneys are very weak:

• It is important to limit salt.

• You may need to limit protein, potassium, or phosphorus, depending on your labs.

• Some medicines are stopped when kidney function gets very low.Your doctor will help decide what to continue.

Some people choose conservative care, which focuses on comfort and quality of life.

Key Points to Remember

You can help slow kidney disease by:

• Keeping blood pressure under control

• Managing blood sugar

• Taking kidney-protective medicines

• Eating a healthy, plant-forward diet

• Exercising regularly

• Avoiding medicines that harm the kidneys

• Knowing your lab numbers