How to Prevent Kidney Disease

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson | Medically reviewed by Janice Litza, MD

Last Updated: July 16, 2022 References Approved

Studies show that in addition to filtering waste from your body, your kidneys also regulate your blood pressure, protect your bones, and keep minerals and fluids balanced in your body, among other things.^{[1]
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Research source} Unfortunately, one in three Americans is at risk for chronic kidney disease.^{[2]
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Research source} This disease most often develops as a consequence of another condition (like diabetes or heart disease) and develops over the course of several months or years. Experts note that there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk for this damaging kidney disease, including diet and lifestyle changes.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Improving Your Diet

1
Reduce your sodium intake. Watch how much sodium you eat and limit it to 2,300 mg of sodium a day. This is equal to about one teaspoon of salt. If you eat too much sodium, fluid can build up in your body causing swelling and shortness of breath. Try seasoning with herbs or spices instead of salt. Cut back on foods that are high in sodium. These include:^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Sauces
- Salted snacks
- Cured foods and lunch meats
- Canned and convenience foods
2
Cut back on sugars. Studies have shown that sugar plays a large role in contributing to obesity and diabetes, both of which can lead to chronic kidney disease. To reduce your sugar intake, read food labels since many foods contain sugar even if they aren't considered to be sweet treats. For example, condiments, breakfast cereals, and white breads are all high in sugar.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Remember to cut back on sodas since these contain high amounts of sugar. They also have kidney-damaging phosphorus additives and offer no nutritional value.
- Note that added sugar comes in many forms — in fact, there are at least 61 different names for sugar you might find on an ingredients list. These include sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, barley malt, dextrose, maltose, rice syrup, glucose, cane juice, and more.^{[6]
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  Research source}
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3
Prepare your own food. When you make your own meals, you can choose whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that are minimally processed. Packaged foods that are processed are high in sodium and phosphorus additives which are bad for your kidneys. Often, those with Chronic Kidney Disease will be put on diets to lower phosphate though you shouldn't attempt this without the advice of your doctor. However, you should try to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- In general, visualize a serving size of fruits or vegetables by looking at the size of your palm. One portion is about the amount of food you could hold in the palm of your hand.
4
Avoid protein from saturated fats. Researchers are still studying the relationship between high-protein diets and chronic kidney disease. While you shouldn't avoid proteins, or even fats, you should reduce the amount of red meat, full-fat dairy and saturated fats that you eat to only a few times a week. If you develop kidney disease, your kidneys will work harder to break down the waste from eating and digesting meat.^{[8]
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Research source}^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Foods high in saturated fats include:^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Processed meats: deli meat, sausages, cured meats
- Butter, ghee, lard
- Cream
- Hard cheeses
- Coconut or palm oils
5
Eat unsaturated fats. You shouldn't completely avoid fats. Unsaturated fats, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (which includes healthy Omeg-3 fatty acids), can reduce your cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol can reduce your risk for heart disease which can cause kidney disease. To include unsaturated fats in your diet, eat:^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Oily fish: salmon, mackerel, sardines
- Avocados
- Nuts and seeds
- Oils: sunflower, rapeseed, olive

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

1
Exercise. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for chronic kidney disease. You should exercise to help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure, both of which will reduce your chances of developing kidney disease. Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}^{[13]
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Research source}
- Studies have shown that obese people are twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease. If your Body Mass Index is over 30, you're considered to be obese.^{[14]
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  Research source}
- Moderate exercises include walking, cycling, and swimming.
2
Avoid tobacco. You might think that smoking damages the lungs the most, but it can cause heart disease. Heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks will make your kidneys work harder and can cause kidney disease. Fortunately, stopping smoking can slow the development of kidney disease.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
Go to source}
- If you're addicted to smoking, talk with your doctor about smoking cessation therapies. Your doctor might recommend nicotine patches or therapy.^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Family Physicians
  Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
  Go to source}
3
Limit alcohol. When you drink alcohol, your blood pressure and cholesterol levels rise. These can contribute to high blood pressure which can cause chronic kidney disease. Although you don't have to stop drinking alcohol completely, you should limit yourself to 1 drink a day (if you're a woman) or 2 drinks a day (if you're a man under 65).^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- 1 drink is equal to: 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (liquor).
4
Get regular checkups. Since kidney disease is difficult to detect until the disease has advanced, you should see your doctor for regular checkups. If you're healthy, aren't predisposed for a disease, aren't overweight and are under 30, you should see your doctor every 2 or 3 years. If you're healthy and between 30 and 40, see your doctor every other year. You can start getting annual checkups when you're 50, as long as you remain healthy.^{[19]
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Research source}
- If you've already been diagnosed with another chronic disease like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, it's important to work with your doctor to manage the disease since these can cause chronic kidney disease.
5
Use medications for pain correctly. Analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can damage your kidneys if you take a high dose for an extended period of time. Taking a high dose for a short period of time can temporarily reduce kidney function. Follow the manufacturer's dosing instructions if you take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen sodium.^{[20]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}^{[21]
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Research source}
- Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are in a similar class of drugs, so taking a combination of these drugs at the same time can cause kidney problems.
- Acetaminophen products (such as Tylenol) are filtered through the liver, not the kidney, so it’s preferred for people with kidney problems (so long as they have a healthy liver).
- Always tell your doctor what medications you're taking since some pain relievers — even over-the-counter drugs — can interfere with other medications.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Recognizing Kidney Disease and Getting Treatment

1
Watch for symptoms of chronic kidney disease. You might not notice symptoms right away since chronic kidney disease takes time to develop. Pay attention for:^{[22]
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Research source}
- Increased or decreased frequency of urination
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Itching and dry skin anywhere on the body
- Obvious blood in the urine or dark, foamy urine
- Muscle cramps and muscle twitches
- Puffiness or swelling around the eyes, feet and/or ankles
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing, concentrating, or sleeping
2
Think about your risk factors. While preventing kidney disease should be important for everyone, it's especially important if you're predisposed to developing the disease. Your risk factor is higher if you have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans also have higher risk of kidney disease. People over the age of 60 are also at an increased risk for kidney disease.^{[23]
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Research source}
- If you have a family history of kidney disease, you may be at risk for some kidney diseases that have a genetic component.
3
Get medical attention. Because many symptoms of chronic kidney disease are similar to symptoms caused by other diseases, it's important to get checked out by your doctor if you notice any symptoms. Your doctor can test your urine and blood for kidney function. With that information she then diagnose kidney disease or determine if another condition is causing your symptoms.
- Talk with your doctor about your family history, any medications you're taking, and any concerns you have about your kidney health.
4
Follow the treatment plan. If your doctor diagnoses you with chronic kidney disease, you'll be treated for the condition that's causing it. For example, if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms, you'll get antibiotics. But, since kidney disease is chronic, your doctor may only be able to treat complications.
- If your kidney disease is severe, you may be put on kidney dialysis or get a kidney transplant.^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Your doctor might prescribe medications to deal with complications. Specifically, you might need medications to treat high-blood pressure, treat anemia, lower your cholesterol, relieve swelling, and protect your bones.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys?

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Master's Degree, Nutrition, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS

Master's Degree, Nutrition, University of Tennessee Knoxville

Expert Answer

Water! There is nothing better on Earth to drink than water. Avoid soda and drinks with lots of sugar, like juice.
Question

Is it healthy for my kidneys to take a multivitamin?

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Master's Degree, Nutrition, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS

Master's Degree, Nutrition, University of Tennessee Knoxville

Expert Answer

If you do not have kidney issues, an over-the-counter multivitamin should be fine. If you have CKD, your doctor will prescribe you a renal multivitamin. Either way, talk to your doctor about anything you are taking!
Question

What test does a doctor do to find you have chronic kidney disease stage 3?

Danielle Jacks, MD
Surgical Resident
Danielle Jacks, MD is a Surgical Resident at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has over six years of experience in general surgery. She received her MD from Oregon Health and Science University in 2016.

Danielle Jacks, MD

Surgical Resident

Expert Answer

Staging of chronic kidney disease is based off of your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is determined by a blood test. Your doctor will perform the tests described above to determine the level of your kidney disease.