What is a healthy lifestyle for CKD patients?
There are many things you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you have CKD. The following advice will help control your CKD, and improve symptoms.
In this article, we will go through the following things, which you can do to help yourself:
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Have a healthy diet
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Exercise regularly
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Use alternative therapies.
It is also a good idea to lose weight (if necessary), limit alcohol consumption, and quit smoking.
Have a healthy diet
A healthy, balanced diet can help improve your general health and reduce your risk of developing further problems.
A balanced diet should include:
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables – aim for at least 5 portions a day
- Meals that include starchy foods, such as potatoes, wholegrain bread, rice or pasta
- Some dairy or dairy alternatives
- Some beans or pulses, fish, eggs, or meat as a source of protein
- Low levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar.
You may also be able to lower your blood pressure – which helps control CKD – by eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats, such as olive oil.
You may also be given advice about dietary changes that can specifically help with chronic kidney disease, such as limiting the amount of sodium, potassium or phosphate in your diet. Do not do this unless asked to my a kidney specialist doctor or dietitian.
Exercise regularly
Regular physical activity can also help improve your general health.
Do not be scared to exercise. Exercise is good for everyone with kidney disease, however severe.
Not only will it boost your energy, help you sleep, strengthen your bones, ward off depression and keep you fit, it may also reduce your risk of problems such as heart disease.
If you have mild-to-moderate CKD, your ability to exercise should not be reduced. You should be able to exercise as often and as vigorously as someone the same age as you with healthy kidneys.
If your condition is more advanced or you are already on dialysis, your ability to exercise is likely to be reduced and you may become breathless and tired more quickly.
But exercise is still beneficial. Start slowly and build up gradually. Check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise programme.
Use alternative therapies
Reducing stress may also help lower blood pressure, and that should improve CKD.
Hence CKDEx also recommend alternative therapies – including acupuncture, acupressure and massage, and meditation – designed to lower stress and improve wellbeing.
Summary
We have described what is a healthy lifestyle for CKD patients. We hope it has been helpful. Here is more information on a healthy lifestyle from Kidney Care UK (KCUK).
Other resource
Healthy eating for CKD patients
12 best foods for CKD
Last Reviewed on 3 May 2024