When was the last time you went to the doctor for a physical? How did it go? Did you follow up to get your lab results?
Did you ask any questions or were you rushed out of the office with everything looks good? So many times we go and really don’t pay much attention to the results. Those days are over, it’s time to pay attention to your numbers and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Just recently I was looking up lab work for a family member and started to search further looking at all the high numbers when I came to EGFR which is a test measuring your level of kidney function and determines your stage of kidney disease. Has your doctor ever mentioned anything about your kidney function?
Usually you don’t hear anything about your kidneys unless there is a problem then many times it’s too late to reverse it. Prevention is key to a healthier body, the more aware you are of your symptoms and systems the more confident you are speaking with your physician. I have talked to many family and friends about their lab results and most of the time I hear the doctor said everything looks good.
My next question for them is what is good?
Whatever the doctor thinks is good may be okay for him because he has seen worse but if you knew that you were on the border of diabetes or chronic kidney disease those numbers would make you pay more attention and focus on improving your numbers. What I'm sharing today is not to bash the doctors but it is to make you more aware of the importance of looking at your numbers and researching for yourself.
Early kidney disease many times doesn't have symptoms, testing is the only way to know how well your kidneys are functioning. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and a family history of kidney failure are all factors that you should be concerned about. If any of these are present it's important that you ask your doctor how often you need to be tested, the sooner you are tested the better to treat your symptoms.
A test to check how well your kidneys are filtering your blood is called EGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate).
A Urine test to check for albumin, a protein that can pass into the urine when the kidneys are damaged can also be done.
A GFR of 60 or more is in normal range. A GFR of less than 60 means you have kidney disease. A GFR of 15 or less is called kidney failure. Most people below this level need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Originally when I started writing this article everything I was reading said you can't raise your GFR but as I began checking the labs of some of my friends it actually showed the number improving with dietary changes.The goal is to keep your numbers from going lower. Prevention is key.
Causes-Diabetes, And hypertension are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease.
Diabetes-Too much glucose in your blood damages your kidneys filters over time, your kidneys can be so damaged that they no longer filter waste and extra fluid from your blood. Often the first sign of kidney disease from diabetes is protein in the urine. When the filters are damaged a protein called albumin passes out of your blood into your urine. A healthy kidney does not pass albumin.
Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are two conditions that are closely related. HTN is a common cause of CKD. HTN is defined as persistently elevated blood pressure, while CKD is a progressive loss of kidney function over time.
When someone has HTN, the increased pressure in their blood vessels can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to a reduction in kidney function. Over time, this damage can become chronic and lead to CKD.
On the other hand, when someone has CKD, the kidneys may not be able to regulate blood pressure as effectively, leading to HTN. Additionally, CKD can cause an increase in a hormone called renin, which can raise blood pressure.
Managing HTN is an important aspect of preventing and treating CKD. This may involve medications which are commonly used to lower blood pressure and protect the kidneys. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing sodium intake, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking, can also be helpful in managing HTN and preventing CKD.
If you have HTN and/or CKD, it is important to work closely with your physician to manage your condition and prevent further damage to your kidneys.
Let’s talk about a few foods that you should avoid:
Sodium- is one of the most dangerous food ingredients for the kidneys, your kidneys have a hard time filtering it out. Sodium causes high blood pressure, swelling, and shortness of breath due to excess fluid in the body.
Sugar- Kidney disease and Diabetes are connected. Kidney disease can cause insulin resistance. Too much sugar in the blood is difficult for your kidneys to process.
Meat-Diets that are high in protein animal products. People with kidney issues should focus on more plant based foods with lean proteins.
Dairy-Is known to create an increase in calcium production which is not good for renal disease patients. Excess calcium can cause kidney stones.
Soda-Is probably one of the worst things we can consume. Soda is full of sugar, chemicals, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Sodas should be avoided at all times.
Now I want to share foods that work best to improve your kidney function:
Whole grains and healthy carbs such as fruits and vegetables.
Lean Protein, skinless chicken or turkey- the physician may limit your protein depending on body size, activity and your health.
If you have diabetes, you may also need to carefully track how many carbs you take in. Your dietitian can help you learn more about the carbs in your eating plan and how they affect your blood sugar.
Fat gives you energy and helps you use some of the vitamins in your food. You need some fat in your eating plan to stay healthy. Too much fat can lead to weight gain and heart disease. Limit fat in your meal plan, and choose healthier fats when you can, such as olive oil
.Sodium (salt) is a mineral found in almost all foods. It has many important roles in the way your body works. The amount of sodium found naturally in foods is enough to keep a healthy level in your body. But eating packaged foods and adding salt to foods can lead to eating too much sodium.
One of the best things you can do is to limit how much sodium you eat. A general rule is to have less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day. Here are some tips to limit sodium:
Use herbs and spices for flavor while cooking. Do not add salt to your food when cooking or eating.
When eating out, ask your server to have the chef not add salt to your dish.
If you have diabetes, you may also need to carefully track how many carbs you take in. Your dietitian can help you learn more about the carbs in your eating plan and how they affect your blood sugar.
