How Lifestyle Changes Help Me Manage Chronic Kidney Disease

GoodRx Health

When Gigi Marino's primary care provider diagnosed her with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2021, she was surprised.

She didn't have symptoms of the disease, which is normal for the early stages of it.

But lab results from blood work during Gigi's annual physical showed that her glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was lower than normal.

What do GFR numbers mean?

GFR is a measurement that shows how well the kidneys are filtering blood by removing waste and extra water. It's calculated based on blood test results.

Gigi's GFR was 54 mL/min, meaning her kidneys were functioning at 54% of normal, she says. That number placed her in stage 3 of chronic kidney disease, signaling a mild-to-moderate loss of her kidney function.

"I was shocked," says Gigi, a 63-year-old communications consultant in Winter Park, Florida. Gigi's doctor sent her to a nephrologist for treatment. The nephrologist ran blood and urine tests and confirmed Gigi's GFR was low.

Before the routine blood test that revealed her GFR was low, kidney disease never entered Gigi's mind. Then she learned she had a chronic illness that could worsen over time.

She reads nutrition levels and limits her salt intake

Gigi's diagnosis is a serious health concern. Her kidney function rate could get worse without treatment. That means she would need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.

"I was shocked because I had been a healthy person my whole life," Gigi says. "So to have a chronic disease, I was just amazed that this would happen to me."

She made diet and lifestyle changes to help protect her kidneys. One of the biggest changes was limiting her sodium intake, Gigi says. People with chronic kidney disease often need to limit their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Gigi began reading nutrition labels and looking up natural sodium levels in certain foods. She found that even vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and celery contained sodium. She now watches how much of those veggies she eats. She pays attention to sodium levels in restaurant foods too.

"Eating out is almost impossible because of the amount of sodium in a meal that you eat at a restaurant," Gigi says. "You could have 500 mg of sodium in one roll."

She also has to watch the amount of protein she consumes, limiting it to 60 g per day. Your body needs protein, but when someone has CKD, their kidneys can't filter protein as well as healthy kidneys.

Gigi has cut out red meat and dairy. Those foods contain saturated fats, which are difficult for kidneys to filter when they're not functioning normally. Gigi was always a big water drinker. But making sure she drinks at least eight glasses of water a day to protect her kidneys now seems like a requirement, she says.

Managing her medications and finding a support group helped

Gigi also made changes to her medication regimen. She stopped taking gabapentin for back pain. The medication can build up in the body when the kidneys are unable to filter it properly. Her nephrologist switched her blood pressure medication from fosinopril to irbesartan (Avapro).

To manage her kidney disease, Gigi also takes an angiotensin receptor blocker (irbesartan) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine).

For nutritional support, Gigi uses the Facebook group Kidney Disease Recipe and Diet Ideas, which is managed by a kidney transplant survivor and a renal dietitian. The group provides healthy recipes and support for people with CKD.

After 3 months of treatment and lifestyle changes, another blood test showed Gigi's GFR had gone up slightly.

Keeping a positive mindset

Gigi says a kidney disease diet and lifestyle changes have increased her kidney function. She has lost 15 lbs, and she exercises regularly, including practicing yoga.

"I got more serious with my yoga practice and found a good community because I think that the mental part is important, and you should be positive," Gigi says. "You need to tell yourself that there are things that you're doing to help yourself, and there are so many yoga poses that are really good for your kidneys."

Gigi did her own research and asked her nephrologist about how her kidneys work. She learned why she needed to limit or avoid certain foods or minerals, such as potassium and phosphorus. She says she's impressed with how her entire body works to try to keep her healthy.

"It was amazing to me, honestly," Gigi says. "You live your whole life in a way that you think, 'Oh, I'm healthy. I'm strong. I can do anything.' And then suddenly, you see how delicate a balance your body is maintaining at all times to keep you on an even keel."

For others with chronic kidney disease, Gigi offers this advice: "Don't freak out. You can live a long, healthy life. And you can mitigate the disease if you work hard at it. But you have to be persistent and consistent and vigilant with your diet."

Tips for managing chronic kidney disease

Here are 10 tips for managing CKD from the National Kidney Foundation and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:

1. Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
2. Reduce sodium intake.
3. Quit smoking.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Get enough quality sleep.
6. Take prescribed medicines.
7. Manage blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
8. Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
9. Consume only moderate amounts of protein.
10. Use healthy coping skills to manage stress and depression.

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