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.

Minimalist kitchen countertop displaying a variety of sugar-free and low-calorie sweetener products, including diet soda, sparkling water, sugar-free yogurt, protein bars, sweetener packets, monk fruit and stevia extracts, and sugar-free gum, alongside berries and a tablet showing a glucose response graph.

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

5 days ago4 min read

A medical illustration showing a pair of glowing kidneys surrounded by various elements of weight management and kidney health. Clockwise from the top, these elements include: a Semaglutide injection pen, a tablet showing a graph of Kidney Strain vs. Body Weight, a body weight scale and measuring tape, a clipboard checking eligibility criteria, running shoes and a yoga mat, healthy foods (vegetables, berries, grains), and a silhouette of a person showing the digestive system. Arrows emphasize the connection between these elements and kidney function.

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.

Obesity & Weight Management

Jan 74 min read

A photorealistic still life featuring a selection of popular, healthy dietary components arranged on a wooden kitchen counter. Items include salmon, eggs, avocado, a wooden cutting board with vegetables, a pre-packaged meal, grilled chicken, and yogurt with toppings. Above the display are neon outline icons representing different dietary concepts: a flame (metabolism/fat burn), a clock (time/intermittent fasting), a leaf (plant-based/whole food), a checklist (structured program), and a bicep (protein/muscle).

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Dec 24, 20253 min read

A vibrant, photorealistic still life featuring a wide variety of fresh, minimally processed Mediterranean diet foods spread across a wooden kitchen table. The display includes whole-grain bread, baskets of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens, a plate of cooked salmon, nuts and seeds, chickpeas, extra virgin olive oil in a clear pitcher, and colorful fruits like grapes, berries, and oranges. Small icons float above the food, representing the health benefits for the heart, liver, and kidneys.

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Dec 17, 20254 min read

A bountiful assortment of ready-to-eat ketogenic and low-carbohydrate foods arranged on a clean white table, including grilled salmon with asparagus, chicken salad, avocado, eggs, sautéed vegetables, cauliflower rice, nuts, olives, cheese, Greek yogurt with berries, and olive oil. The background is bright and minimal with subtle scientific molecular graphics.

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Dec 9, 20254 min read

A photorealistic image of a smiling, healthy couple (a man and a woman in athletic wear) standing in a bright, modern kitchen. On the marble counter in front of them is a comprehensive arrangement of kidney-friendly items: a basket of fresh produce (apples, peppers), salmon, eggs, olive oil, a blood pressure monitor, and a small dumbbell. A glowing, stylized cross with a pair of kidneys overlaid on the woman's torso emphasizes the importance of kidney health and medical care.

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Dec 9, 20253 min read

A split-screen image demonstrating intermittent fasting. The left side shows a smiling woman eating a healthy meal of fruit, berries, and what appears to be a small portion of lean protein, representing the "eating window." The right side shows a woman drinking water next to a digital timer displaying "16:00:00," emphasizing the "fasting period." The setting is a clean, bright home kitchen.

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Dec 3, 20254 min read

A yellow measuring tape coiled around and draped over a scattered assortment of various colorful pills and capsules on a clean white background. The image represents medical weight loss and anti-obesity medications.

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.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Nov 25, 20253 min read

A vibrant, photorealistic image of a healthy, happy person standing confidently on a path with arms outstretched. They are surrounded by a glowing, transparent halo that integrates 11 symbolic icons representing key weight maintenance habits: a balanced plate (mindful eating), walking shoes (movement), a crescent moon (sleep), a notebook (food awareness), a steak (protein), a clock (eating routine), a meditating person (stress management), a graph showing progress (self-monitoring), a target (new goals), an alarm clock (early course-correction), and a half-orange slice (potentially another healthy habit). The person looks towards a bright horizon, symbolizing holistic well-being and continuous progress.

How to Prevent Weight Regain: Key Habits for Long-Term Success

Losing weight is a huge victory, but maintaining that success requires shifting your focus from short-term dieting to long-term behavioral strategies. We break down the 11 essential habits that successful maintainers practice daily, covering everything from prioritizing protein and sleep to building an accountability system. Learn how to catch a subtle 3–5 lb regain early, create a non-food stress plan, and why consistency—not perfection—is the only way to protect your hard-e

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Nov 19, 20254 min read

A young, diverse couple is happily seated in a bright kitchen setting. They are both holding glasses of water and smiling at each other. On the counter, there is a glass pitcher of water, a clear turquoise bottle labeled "AquaZen+ Alkaline Water (pH 9.5)," and a metallic bottle labeled "HydroGen+ Hydrogen Water," illustrating the comparison between different types of filtered water.

Hydrogen Water Benefits, Risks, and Safety: Is Hydrogen Water Better Than Regular or Alkaline Water?

Is Hydrogen Water worth the wellness hype? Discover the potential antioxidant benefits and what the science says about exercise recovery and metabolism. We break down how Hydrogen Water compares to alkaline or regular water, and review the safety profile—including the crucial risks for those with CKD or electrolyte issues. Get the facts before you drink!

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Nov 12, 20253 min read

An older couple sits at a bright kitchen table, looking at each other attentively. Between them are various prescription pill bottles and loose capsules, along with a glass of water and a large bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables, visually representing the interaction between medication weight gain and healthy lifestyle choices.

Medications and Weight Gain: What You Should Know

Are you experiencing medication weight gain after starting a new prescription? You're not alone. Many common medicines can increase appetite, slow metabolism, or cause fluid retention. Learn which drugs are often linked to weight gain and the crucial steps you can take. Discover how to work with your doctor on alternatives or lifestyle adjustments to manage medication weight gain effectively.

Obesity & Weight Management

Oct 21, 20253 min read

The Power of Protein: More Than Muscle

Check how much protein you need on a daily basis.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Oct 15, 20252 min read

How to Set SMART Goals and Actually Achieve Them

Without a clear plan, your goals fade away. Learn how to write your goals and achieve them.

Healthy Habits & Overall Wellness

Oct 8, 20252 min read

A physician consulting with a male patient, with models of a human heart and kidneys displayed prominently on the table next to a blood pressure monitor and a weighing scale. This symbolizes the link between obesity, heart, and kidney health.

Obesity, Kidney Disease, High Blood Pressure, and Heart Failure: What You Need to Know

If you are dealing with multiple health challenges, it's crucial to understand the obesity kidney heart connection. These conditions don't exist in isolation—obesity worsens high blood pressure, leading to kidney disease, and increases strain on your heart. Learn how specialized, physician-led weight management at Kidney MD can help you safely and sustainably lose weight, lower blood pressure, reduce heart strain, and slow or prevent CKD progression.

Obesity & Weight Management

Aug 20, 20252 min read