Keeping your kidneys healthy

There are many steps you can take to help protect your kidneys.

1. Stay in control of other health conditions. Managing diabetes and high blood pressure helps prevent damage and manage kidney disease. Learn what numbers are considered acceptable for your condition and work with your healthcare team to come up with a plan that’s right for you.

• Closely monitor your kidney health. Your healthcare team will track your kidney function and damage over time. Keep up with your test results and how they compare with previous results. In general, your goals will be to keep your GFR the same and/or keep your urine albumin the same or lower.⁵

• Keep a healthy body weight. Being overweight makes your kidneys work harder and increases your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.⁶ A realistic, achievable weight-loss plan that addresses changing your diet and activity level may help you achieve long-term success.⁶

• Eat the right foods. What you eat and drink can affect your kidney health. Eating the right amount of protein, sodium, phosphorus, calcium and potassium may help control the buildup of waste and fluid in your body, so that your kidneys don’t have to work as hard.⁷ Talk to your healthcare team to find out if you need to limit certain nutrients and/or fluids.

• Avoid smoking and alcohol. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can decrease kidney function and make kidney disease worse.^8,9

• Talk to your healthcare provider about medicines. If you have decreased kidney function, work with your healthcare team to determine which medicine you need—and which to avoid.
• Interested in learning more? Visit www.HumanaNeighborhoodCenter.com to register for live and on-demand health education classes.

This is for informational purposes only and does not replace treatment or advice from a healthcare professional. If you have questions, please talk with your doctor. Talk to your doctor before beginning an exercise program or making any changes to your diet.

Sources

1. “Your Kidneys & How They Work,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last accessed April 8, 2025, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/kidneys-how-they-work. 
2. “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD),” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last accessed April 8, 2025, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd.
3. “Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last accessed April 8, 2025, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/causes.   
4. “Chronic Kidney Disease Tests & Diagnosis,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last accessed April 8, 2025, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/tests-diagnosis. 
5. “Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR),” National Kidney Foundation, last accessed April 8, 2025, https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/estimated-glomerular-filtration-rate-egfr.
6. “Managing Chronic Kidney Disease,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, last accessed April 8, 2025, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/managing.
7. “Overweight and Obesity,” National Kidney Foundation, last accessed April 8, 2025, https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/overweight-obesity.
8. “Smoking and Your Health,” National Kidney Foundation, last accessed April 8, 2025,  https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/smoking-and-your-health.
9. “Alcohol and Your Kidneys,” National Kidney Foundation, last accessed April 8, 2025,  https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/alcohol-and-your-kidneys.