To slow Stage 3 kidney disease, focus on strict blood pressure and blood sugar control (if diabetic), a kidney-friendly diet low in salt, processed foods, and potentially protein/potassium/phosphorus (guided by a dietitian), exercise regularly, quit smoking, and take prescribed medications like ACE inhibitors/ARBs and SGLT2 inhibitors. Regular monitoring with your healthcare team, including a nephrologist, is crucial for managing this progressive condition effectively.
There is no way to cure or reverse chronic kidney disease at stage 3, but you can keep it from progressing to stages 4 and 5. You can prevent the progress of the disease by working with a specialist doctor and your primary care doctor who guide you in the right direction.
In general, with early detection and consistent management, stage 3 kidney disease life expectancy can be 10–20 years or more, especially in individuals under 60. For older adults, progression may be slower, and many never advance to later stages.
Make healthy food choices
Choose foods that are healthy for your heart and your entire body: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Eat healthy meals, and cut back on salt and added sugars. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.
Treatment for stage 3 chronic kidney disease
Drugs such as Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) and now sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are effective at reducing further kidney damage and slowing down the progression of CKD.
Nevertheless, Stage 3 CKD does need to be taken seriously. In particular, it is very important to take care of the conditions that may contribute to kidney damage (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure), as well as any risk factors for cardiovascular disease (for example high cholesterol, smoking).
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Here's a breakdown of the six most common supplements people with CKD may need to support kidney health.
Acute kidney failure can be caused by factors like severe dehydration, infections, or blockages. The good news is that with the right treatment, it's often possible to reverse kidney disease in these cases. Your kidneys can return to normal function after the underlying issue is resolved.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top culprits damaging kidneys most, as they harm the delicate filtering blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and failure; other major factors include smoking, obesity, dehydration, poor diet (high sugar/salt/red meat), certain medications (NSAIDs), lack of sleep, and genetic conditions. These factors create a cycle where damaged kidneys worsen blood pressure, further damaging them.
Although Stage 3 kidney disease is not terminal, knowing how to cope with it is key to maintaining good health. WebMD reported, “all-cause mortality rate varied from 6% in 3 years to 51% in ten years.”
The top 10 drugs commonly linked to kidney damage
Water is not generally restricted during stage 3a unless there are symptoms of retention such as difficulty breathing or swelling in feet/ankles. For those without a fluid restriction, 2 liters for women and 3 liters for men is what is generally recommended.
Foods to Avoid and Embrace for Stage 3 Kidney Disease
To protect your kidney health, it's essential to avoid high phosphorus foods like organ meats, red meat, and phosphate additives in packaged foods. Also, steer clear of too much sodium and extra salt, which can lead to muscle cramps and fluid retention.
To support kidney health, focus on plant-based foods like berries, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, garlic, and leafy greens, plus fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg whites, and whole grains like buckwheat, while limiting salt, processed foods, and high-potassium options like orange juice, opting for water as your primary drink. A kidney-friendly diet emphasizes fresh, whole foods to help reduce inflammation and manage kidney function.
A recent study published in PLoS Medicine provides further evidence that many older adults with stage 3a chronic kidney disease will never worsen, whereas some may even improve.
To strengthen your kidneys, focus on a healthy lifestyle: stay hydrated with water, eat a balanced diet low in salt and processed foods, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, while also managing blood pressure and blood sugar to prevent damage.
In the general population, approximately 38% of adults aged 70 or older have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, with most having moderate reductions in eGFR in the 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 range (1).
For someone around 60, stage 1 stage 2 kidney disease life expectancy will be approximately 15 years. That figure falls to 13 years, 8 years, and 6 years in the second, third, and fourth stages of kidney disease, respectively.
Recently released Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome guidelines recommend using vitamin D in patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD (not on dialysis) who are vitamin D deficient and who have parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels above the normal range (16).
Phenolic compounds found in ginger can also provide protection against kidney damage caused by renal ischemia/reperfusion and sepsis. Researches also indicate positive impacts in treating diabetic nephropathy and renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Vitamin B12 supplements may help treat certain symptoms of kidney disease. They can assist in preventing anemia and may also treat vitamin B12 deficiencies, which are common in people with kidney disease. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin.
Interestingly, treatment with APCV apparently enhanced the ability of the kidney to prevent creatinine accumulation in the blood by lowering the upsurge by 20.51%. This probably indicates that APCV protected rat kidneys against the damaging effects of CCl4.
Take action to prevent, delay, or manage CKD:
Some research suggests that drinks like cranberry juice, carrot juice, and beet juice may be good for your kidneys. Most research on the best drinks for a kidney cleanse is mixed. So, it's best to drink any of these in moderation.