🔹 Introduction
- GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) measures kidney function by determining how well kidneys filter waste.
- Low GFR indicates reduced kidney function, common in CKD patients.
- Increasing GFR naturally involves diet, hydration, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies.
🔹 1. Stay Hydrated 💧
✅ Drinking enough water helps flush out toxins and improves filtration.
✅ Prevents dehydration-related kidney stress.
💡 How to do it:
✔ Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily (unless on fluid restriction).
✔ Lemon water or coconut water may help in moderation.
🚫 Avoid sugary drinks, sodas, and excessive caffeine.
🔹 2. Follow a Kidney-Friendly Diet 🥗
✅ Reduces kidney strain & supports healthy filtration.
✅ Lowers blood pressure & toxin buildup.
💡 Best Foods to Increase GFR:
✔ Low-potassium fruits – Apples, berries, pears.
✔ Kidney-friendly vegetables – Cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers.
✔ Whole grains – Oats, quinoa, brown rice (if phosphorus is under control).
✔ Healthy fats – Olive oil, flaxseeds, nuts (in moderation).
✔ Hydrating foods – Watermelon, celery, lettuce.
🚫 Foods to Avoid:
❌ High-sodium foods (processed snacks, canned foods).
❌ Excess protein (red meat, dairy, high-protein diets).
❌ High-phosphorus foods (colas, dairy, beans).
❌ High-potassium foods (bananas, oranges, tomatoes).
🔹 3. Control Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar 🩸
✅ High BP & diabetes are leading causes of low GFR.
✅ Keeping them in check prevents further kidney decline.
💡 How to manage:
✔ Eat low-sodium & low-sugar meals.
✔ Exercise 30 minutes daily (walking, yoga).
✔ Monitor blood pressure & sugar levels regularly.
🚨 Ideal Targets:
✔ BP: Below 120/80 mmHg.
✔ Fasting Blood Sugar: Below 100 mg/dL.
🔹 4. Use Herbal Remedies to Support Kidney Function 🌿
✔ Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) – Flushes out excess fluids & improves GFR.
✔ Nettle Leaf Tea – Natural diuretic that helps lower creatinine & urea.
✔ Turmeric (Curcumin) – Reduces kidney inflammation.
✔ Astragalus Root – Supports kidney filtration & immune function.
✔ Dandelion Root Tea – Enhances detoxification & kidney function.
🚨 Consult a doctor before taking herbs if you have CKD.
🔹 5. Reduce Creatinine Levels Naturally 📉
✅ Lowering creatinine supports higher GFR.
💡 Best Ways to Lower Creatinine:
✔ Stay hydrated – Prevents creatinine buildup.
✔ Eat high-fiber foods – Removes toxins naturally.
✔ Avoid excessive exercise – Prevents creatinine spikes.
✔ Try nettle leaf or chamomile tea – Supports kidney detox.
🔹 6. Exercise Moderately 🚶♂️
✅ Boosts circulation & kidney function without stressing kidneys.
💡 Best Exercises for Kidney Health:
✔ Walking & cycling – Improves kidney blood flow.
✔ Yoga & stretching – Enhances kidney Qi energy.
✔ Light strength training – Prevents muscle loss.
🚫 Avoid heavy lifting & high-intensity workouts.
🔹 7. Manage Stress & Sleep Well 😴
✅ Chronic stress & poor sleep increase kidney strain.
💡 Best Practices:
✔ Meditation & deep breathing to lower cortisol.
✔ 7-9 hours of sleep for kidney repair.
✔ Herbal teas (chamomile, ashwagandha) improve relaxation.
🔹 8. Avoid Kidney-Toxic Medications & Toxins 💊
🚫 NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Aspirin) damage kidney cells.
🚫 Excessive antibiotics & painkillers stress the kidneys.
💡 Alternative remedies:
✔ Turmeric & ginger for pain relief.
✔ Stay hydrated to flush out toxins.
🔹 9. Get Regular Kidney Function Checkups 🏥
✅ Early detection helps prevent CKD progression.
💡 Recommended tests:
✔ Creatinine & Urea Levels – Measures kidney function.
✔ Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) – Determines CKD stage.
✔ Urine Test (Proteinuria) – Checks for protein leakage.
🚨 Check kidney function at least once a year, especially if you have diabetes or high BP.
🔹 10. Maintain a Healthy Weight ⚖️
✅ Obesity increases CKD risk & lowers GFR.
✅ Losing even 5-10% of body weight improves kidney function.
💡 How to manage:
✔ Eat whole, unprocessed foods for balanced nutrition.
✔ Avoid crash diets that stress the kidneys.
🔹 Conclusion
- Increasing GFR naturally requires hydration, a kidney-friendly diet, exercise, stress management, and avoiding kidney toxins.
- Reducing creatinine, controlling BP & blood sugar, and using herbal remedies support kidney function.
- Regular checkups & lifestyle changes can prevent CKD progression!