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Blogs & Latest News
Trusted kidney health knowledge, explained simply.
Explore our collection of articles on kidney health, wellness, and lifestyle. From practical guides and expert insights to the latest updates in care, our goal is to share content that both informs and inspires. Browse through our posts to expand your knowledge and stay informed.
This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or nephrologist for information tailored to your specific health needs.
Mindful Eating: Simple Portion Control Tips to Stop Overeating and Feel Full
Mindful eating and portion control are two simple skills that can make healthy eating feel easier and more sustainable. This patient-friendly guide explains how to recognize hunger and fullness cues, avoid common overeating triggers, and build balanced meals without strict dieting or calorie counting.
2 hours ago5 min read
Non-Nutritive Sweeteners (Artificial Sweeteners): What People Should Know
Non-nutritive sweeteners are everywhere—from diet sodas to sugar-free snacks—but are they actually better than sugar? For most people, small to moderate amounts are considered safe, yet they’re not a magic solution for weight loss or long-term metabolic health. This article breaks down what artificial sweeteners are, how they’re regulated, potential benefits and side effects, and how to use them practically as part of a balanced, sustainable eating pattern.
5 days ago4 min read
What Dietary Restrictions Do I Need to Follow If I Have Kidney Disease?
Living with CKD means prioritizing a plant-dominant diet to slow disease progression and protect your heart. Key changes include controlling your protein intake (lower for non-dialysis CKD, higher for dialysis) and strictly limiting sodium (under 2 grams per day). Potassium and phosphorus restrictions are highly individualized, often required only in later stages or if lab values are high. Always consult a renal dietitian to create a safe, personalized plan.
Jan 142 min read
The MIND Diet: A Brain-Healthy Way to Eat (That’s Also Great for Your Heart)
The MIND diet (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) blends the best of the Mediterranean and DASH diets with a focus on brain health. It emphasizes leafy greens, berries, beans, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, fish, and poultry—while limiting red meat, fried foods, sweets, and saturated fats. In this post, I’ll walk you through what the MIND diet is, what the science shows so far, and how to follow it in a realistic, sustainable way for long-term wellne
Jan 145 min read
Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease: Why Weight Matters for Kidney Health
Obesity speeds the progression of chronic kidney disease and can even prevent patients from qualifying for a kidney transplant. The good news: weight loss—through lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery—can protect kidney function and improve long-term outcomes. Learn how obesity affects the kidneys and how Kidney MD can help.
Jan 74 min read
What Supplements Should I Take to Support My Kidneys? An Evidence-Based Overview
The strongest evidence for kidney protection in CKD comes from whole, plant-forward dietary patterns, not individual supplements.
While Calcium Citrate or Inulin may assist in specific clinical needs, most supplements like CoQ10 and antioxidants lack consistent evidence to slow CKD progression. Crucially, avoid unapproved herbal detox products as they can cause harm. Prioritize long-term diet and clinical management.
Jan 73 min read
How Is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Different From Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) may sound similar, but they are very different conditions. This easy-to-read comparison helps you understand how they differ, what causes them, and what steps you can take to protect your kidneys.
Jan 73 min read
Is CKD Reversible? Can My Kidney Function Improve?
CKD cannot be fully reversed, but kidney function can improve when reversible factors are treated. With the right steps, many patients stabilize their CKD and avoid dialysis. Here’s what actually helps.
Jan 74 min read
Plant-Based Diets and Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know
Plant-based diets are generally safe for most people with chronic kidney disease. High-quality patterns can slow disease progression and lower mortality. While potassium is a common fear, whole plants are often safer than processed foods. These diets also help manage phosphorus and reduce inflammation. Working with a renal dietitian is key to ensuring proper nutrient intake and individualized care.
Jan 74 min read
Understanding Popular Diets: A Physician’s Overview of What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Choose Wisely
Navigating popular diets is overwhelming. While low-carb plans offer rapid short-term benefits, they raise sustainability and lipid concerns. Plant-Forward Patterns (like the Mediterranean diet) are the most evidence-supported for long-term heart and metabolic health. Choose sustainability over extreme restriction.
Dec 24, 20253 min read
How to Slow Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Progression: A Practical, Patient-Friendly Guide
Preventing chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is possible with the right approach. This guide explains how lifestyle changes, blood pressure and diabetes control, and newer medications—such as SGLT2 inhibitors and finerenone—work together to protect your kidneys.
Dec 24, 20253 min read
Why Choose Direct Care If You Have Health Insurance?
If you already have health insurance, you might ask yourself, "Why choose direct care?" While traditional insurance is vital for high-cost events like hospitalizations, direct care focuses on providing timely access, unhurried visits, and easy communication with your physician. By removing administrative constraints, this model allows for proactive management of chronic conditions and fosters a strong, continuous doctor-patient relationship.
Dec 17, 20253 min read
Direct Care and Insurance: How to Choose What Makes Sense for You
Many patients wonder why they should pay a physician directly if they already have health insurance. The decision often comes down to one critical factor: whether or not you expect to meet your insurance deductible this year. This guide explains how the direct care model provides transparent pricing and proactive kidney health management, often at a lower out-of-pocket cost than traditional insurance-based rates.
Dec 17, 20253 min read
Understanding Renal Imaging: How We Look Inside Your Kidneys
Renal imaging uses safe, non-invasive tests such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, and nuclear scans to visualize kidney structure and function. Learn when these studies are recommended, how they work, and how they help protect long-term kidney health.
Dec 17, 20254 min read
The Mediterranean Diet: One of the Most Evidence-Based Approaches for Heart, Metabolic, Kidney, and Liver Health
The Mediterranean diet is a consistently validated, plant-forward eating pattern—not a trend. Focusing on whole grains, olive oil, and beans, it offers wide-ranging benefits.
It is highly effective for protecting your heart (reducing the risk of stroke/heart attack), improving metabolic health, and supporting your liver and kidneys. This sustainable approach supports long-term health without extreme restriction.
Dec 17, 20254 min read
Ketogenic and Low-Carbohydrate Diets: What the Latest Evidence Really Shows
Explore the latest evidence on ketogenic and low-carbohydrate diets. Learn how these diets affect weight loss, blood sugar, cholesterol, and overall metabolic health, who benefits most, and the potential risks—including LDL increases and nutrient gaps. Get an evidence-informed guide to using keto and low-carb diets safely and effectively.
Dec 9, 20254 min read
What Is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and How Does It Affect Daily Life?
A CKD diagnosis is scary, but the fact is most people never need dialysis.
CKD progression is slow, and you are in control of the speed. By embracing simple habits—like smart eating, staying active, and taking your prescribed medications—you protect your kidneys and reduce heart risks.
Knowledge is power. Start making those small, steady changes today.
Dec 9, 20253 min read
Intermittent Fasting: What We Know, What We Don’t, and How to Use It Safely
Intermittent Fasting (IF) is popular for metabolic health, but does it really work? A physician breaks down the science: comparing Alternate-Day Fasting, Time-Restricted Eating, and the 5:2 Diet. Discover the benefits (weight loss, improved blood sugar), potential drawbacks, and essential safety guidelines—especially for older adults and those with diabetes.
Dec 3, 20254 min read
I Have Chronic Kidney Disease — Do I Need Dialysis?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) does NOT automatically mean dialysis. Learn the CKD stages, the key uremic symptoms, and the personalized risk factors doctors use to determine if and when dialysis is necessary. Most patients never need it!
Dec 3, 20252 min read
Anti-Obesity Medications: Safe, Effective, and Evidence-Based
For many, weight loss is a frustrating cycle of setbacks. It’s time to shift the conversation: Obesity is a chronic medical condition, not a failure of willpower. Learn how modern, FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (AOMs) work with your biology to target the drivers of hunger and cravings, offering a safe, effective, and evidence-based path toward sustainable metabolic health.
Nov 25, 20253 min read
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