How Can You Improve Kidney Function? What Really Works
You can’t usually “restore” kidney function that’s been permanently lost, but you can protect the function you have and slow kidney disease, sometimes dramatically.
The most effective steps are controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, taking kidney-protective medicines like SGLT2 inhibitors and ACE inhibitors or ARBs, cutting salt, avoiding kidney-harming drugs like frequent ibuprofen, not smoking, and staying active.
Modern medicines make a big difference: in the DAPA-CKD trial, dapagliflozin cut the risk of major kidney decline, kidney failure, or kidney or heart death by 39%. Exercise may help too: an analysis of 11 trials found aerobic training modestly improved eGFR in people with CKD stages 3 to 4.
As for stopping dialysis naturally: for people with established kidney failure, it’s rarely possible, with only about 4% of US patients recovering enough function to stop dialysis within a year, mostly those whose kidney failure came from sudden, reversible injuries.
This article explains how kidney function is measured, proven ways to protect it, natural habits that help, what to avoid, and realistic answers about healing kidneys and dialysis.
What Is Kidney Function And How Is It Measured?
Healthy kidneys filter waste and extra fluid, balance minerals, control blood pressure, help make red blood cells, and keep bones strong.
Doctors measure kidney function with:
| Test | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) | How well kidneys filter blood |
| Serum creatinine | Waste product used to calculate eGFR |
| Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) | Protein leaking into urine, a sign of damage |
| Urinalysis | Blood, protein, infection |
| Kidney ultrasound | Kidney size, structure, blockages |
What Is Low Kidney Function?
Low kidney function usually means an eGFR below 60 for at least three months, or signs of kidney damage like protein in the urine.
| eGFR | Kidney Function |
|---|---|
| 90 or above | Normal (if no damage signs) |
| 60 to 89 | Mildly reduced |
| 45 to 59 | Mild to moderately reduced (stage 3a) |
| 30 to 44 | Moderately to severely reduced (stage 3b) |
| 15 to 29 | Severely reduced (stage 4) |
| Below 15 | Kidney failure (stage 5) |
Can You Improve Kidney Function?
It depends on the cause:
| Situation | Can Function Improve? |
|---|---|
| Acute kidney injury (dehydration, infection, medication reaction) | Often recovers if treated quickly |
| Blockage (stones, enlarged prostate) | May improve once relieved |
| Medication-related decline | May improve after stopping the drug |
| Established chronic kidney disease | Usually can’t be restored, but decline can be slowed |
| Kidney failure | Rarely recovers; dialysis or transplant needed |
The realistic goal for most people with CKD is to protect remaining kidney function and slow progression. If you’re asking, “can chronic kidney disease be cured?”, our article explains what is and isn’t possible.
Proven Ways To Improve Kidney Health
1. Control Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney damage. Keeping it on target slows CKD progression.
| Blood Pressure Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Take prescribed medications daily | Protects kidney filters |
| Limit sodium to under 2 g/day | KDIGO recommendation for CKD |
| Monitor at home | Catches rises early |
| Lose excess weight | Lowers blood pressure |
2. Control Blood Sugar
Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Keeping blood sugar in your target range protects the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys.
3. Take Kidney-Protective Medications
Kidney disease treatment has improved significantly in recent years:
| Medication Type | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) | Slow kidney decline and protect the heart |
| ACE inhibitors or ARBs | Lower blood pressure and protein leakage |
| Finerenone (for some people with diabetes) | Reduces kidney and heart risk |
| Statins | Lower heart disease risk |
| GLP-1 medicines (for some with diabetes) | Help blood sugar, weight, and kidneys |
In DAPA-CKD, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of major kidney decline, kidney failure, or kidney or heart death by 39%, and lowered all-cause death by 31%. A third of participants didn’t have diabetes.
Ask your doctor whether these medicines are right for you.
4. Avoid Kidney-Harming Medicines And Substances
| Avoid Or Use Cautiously | Why |
|---|---|
| NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) | Can reduce kidney blood flow and cause damage |
| Unapproved herbal supplements | Some contain kidney-toxic ingredients or heavy metals |
| High-dose vitamin C | May raise kidney stone risk |
| Some contrast dyes | Ask about kidney precautions before scans |
| Potassium salt substitutes | Dangerous if potassium is high |
| Bodybuilding supplements | Can strain kidneys |
Always tell every doctor and pharmacist you have kidney disease so they can adjust medicine doses.
5. Eat A Kidney-Friendly Diet
| Diet Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| About 0.8 g protein per kg body weight daily (CKD 3 to 5, not on dialysis) | Avoids overloading kidneys while preventing muscle loss |
| Sodium under 2 g/day | Protects blood pressure |
| Avoid processed foods with phosphate additives | Additive phosphorus is highly absorbed |
| Limit potassium only if blood levels are high | Prevents dangerous heart rhythms |
| Choose fresh, minimally processed foods | Lower in salt and additives |
A renal dietitian can tailor these guidelines to your lab results.
6. Stay Physically Active
Exercise may modestly help kidney function. A meta-analysis of 11 trials found aerobic training over an average of 35 weeks improved eGFR by about 2.16 mL/min in people with CKD stages 3 to 4, compared with standard care.
A 2025 network meta-analysis of 25 trials with 1,827 adults found resistance (strength) training had the largest effect on eGFR, followed by aerobic training.
Caveat: another review noted that some eGFR gains appeared mainly in shorter studies, and the largest 12-month trial found unchanged eGFR in both groups.
Exercise is still strongly recommended because it improves heart health, blood pressure, and fitness.
| Exercise Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Aim for regular moderate activity | Supports heart and blood pressure |
| Include strength training | May help kidney function and muscle |
| Start slowly and build up | Safer for people with advanced CKD |
| Ask your doctor first | Especially with heart disease or on dialysis |
7. Don’t Smoke
Smoking damages blood vessels, including those in the kidneys, and speeds CKD progression.
8. Stay Hydrated (But Don’t Overdo It)
Drink enough water to avoid dehydration, especially in hot weather or when sick. But in advanced CKD or on dialysis, you may need to limit fluids. Follow your doctor’s advice.
How Can I Improve My Kidney Function Naturally?
How can I improve my kidney function naturally? These natural habits support your kidneys:
| Natural Habit | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Reduce salt | Lowers blood pressure |
| Eat fresh fruits and vegetables (within potassium limits) | Supports overall health |
| Maintain a healthy weight | Reduces kidney strain |
| Exercise regularly | Supports blood pressure, blood sugar, and possibly eGFR |
| Sleep 7 to 9 hours | Supports blood pressure control |
| Manage stress | Helps blood pressure |
| Limit alcohol | Protects blood pressure and liver |
| Avoid smoking | Protects blood vessels |
These natural steps work best alongside medical treatment, not instead of it. A structured natural kidney health program can help you follow these habits consistently.
How To Heal Kidneys: What’s Realistic?
People often search for how to heal kidneys or how to restore kidney function naturally. Here’s the honest picture:
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Detox teas heal kidneys” | Not supported; some contain harmful ingredients |
| “Reverse kidney damage in weeks” | Not realistic for established CKD |
| “Herbs regrow kidney tissue” | Not supported |
| “Lifestyle and medicine slow CKD” | Supported |
| “Acute kidney injury can recover” | Often true with prompt treatment |
What Foods Help Repair Kidneys?
No food can repair damaged kidney tissue. A kidney-friendly diet helps slow progression and prevent complications.
Good options for many people include cabbage, cauliflower, bottle gourd (lauki), apples, berries, egg whites, and fish in moderation, adjusted to your lab results. See our complete list of kidney-friendly foods for more options.
Can You Stop Dialysis Naturally?
How to stop dialysis naturally and how to get off dialysis naturally are common searches. Here’s what the evidence shows:
| Finding | Detail |
|---|---|
| Overall recovery after starting outpatient dialysis | About 4% recovered kidney function within one year |
| Most likely to recover | People whose kidney failure came from acute tubular necrosis or acute interstitial nephritis |
| Older US data (1995 to 2006) | Only 0.9% of end-stage kidney disease patients regained enough function to stop dialysis |
A US study of nearly 2 million adults found 4% recovered kidney function within one year of starting outpatient dialysis.
Recovery was especially common in people whose kidney failure was caused by acute tubular necrosis or acute interstitial nephritis, which are types of sudden kidney injury.
Reviews have found that the underlying cause of kidney failure is the most important predictor of recovery.
What this means:
| Situation | Outlook |
|---|---|
| Dialysis started after a sudden kidney injury | Some chance of recovery; your doctor will monitor |
| Dialysis due to long-standing CKD | Recovery is rare |
| Wanting to stop dialysis | Never stop without medical supervision; it can be fatal |
| Long-term alternative | Kidney transplant, if eligible |
Never stop dialysis on your own. Missing treatments can cause dangerous potassium levels, fluid in the lungs, and death.
If you hope to stop dialysis, ask your nephrologist about monitoring residual kidney function and transplant options.
How To Improve Kidney Function To Avoid Dialysis?
How to improve kidney function to avoid dialysis comes down to slowing CKD:
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| See a nephrologist early | Specialist care slows progression |
| Take SGLT2 inhibitors and ACE inhibitors or ARBs if prescribed | Proven kidney protection |
| Keep blood pressure and blood sugar on target | Biggest controllable factors |
| Avoid NSAIDs and unapproved supplements | Prevent extra damage |
| Follow a renal diet | Reduces strain and complications |
| Stay active and don’t smoke | Supports heart and kidney health |
| Get regular kidney tests | Tracks progress |
How Is Kidney Disease Diagnosed?
How is kidney disease diagnosed? With a simple blood test (creatinine and eGFR) and urine test (albumin-to-creatinine ratio).
Doctors may also order an ultrasound or, sometimes, a kidney biopsy.
Who should get tested?
| Risk Factor | Why |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Leading cause of CKD |
| High blood pressure | Major cause of CKD |
| Heart disease | Linked to kidney disease |
| Family history of kidney disease | Higher risk |
| Age over 60 | Risk increases with age |
| Obesity | Raises blood pressure and diabetes risk |
How To Keep Kidneys Healthy If You Don’t Have Kidney Disease?
| Habit | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Keep blood pressure normal | Prevents damage |
| Prevent or control diabetes | Protects kidneys |
| Drink enough water | Prevents dehydration and stones |
| Limit salt and processed foods | Protects blood pressure |
| Avoid frequent NSAID use | Prevents kidney injury |
| Exercise regularly | Supports overall health |
| Don’t smoke | Protects blood vessels |
| Get tested if at risk | Early detection matters |
So, How Can You Improve Your Kidney Function?
For most people with chronic kidney disease, you can’t restore lost function, but you can protect what remains and slow decline.
The most powerful steps are controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, taking kidney-protective medicines like SGLT2 inhibitors and ACE inhibitors or ARBs, following a kidney-friendly diet, avoiding NSAIDs and unapproved supplements, staying active, and not smoking.
Acute kidney injury can often recover with prompt treatment, but established kidney failure rarely does.
Only about 4% of people who start outpatient dialysis recover enough to stop, mostly those whose kidney failure came from sudden injuries.
Work closely with your nephrologist, never stop dialysis on your own, and ask about transplant options if you have kidney failure.
If you want a guided lifestyle plan to use alongside medical care, read our in-depth CKD Solution review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Improving Kidney Function
How Can I Improve My Kidney Function?
Kidney function is best protected by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, taking prescribed kidney-protective medicines, limiting salt, avoiding NSAIDs, staying active, and not smoking.
Can Kidney Function Be Restored?
Kidney function can often recover after acute kidney injury, but established chronic kidney disease usually can’t be restored. Treatment can slow further decline.
How Can I Improve My Kidney Function Naturally?
Kidney function is supported naturally by reducing salt, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping well, limiting alcohol, and not smoking. These work best alongside medical care.
Does Exercise Improve Kidney Function?
Exercise modestly improved eGFR by about 2.16 mL/min in a meta-analysis of people with CKD stages 3 to 4. Strength training showed the largest effect in a 2025 analysis.
What Is The Best Medicine To Protect Kidneys?
SGLT2 inhibitors like dapagliflozin are among the most effective, cutting major kidney decline or death by 39% in DAPA-CKD. ACE inhibitors or ARBs are also key.
Can You Get Off Dialysis Naturally?
Getting off dialysis naturally is rarely possible; only about 4% of patients recover enough to stop within one year. Recovery is most likely after sudden kidney injuries.
What Foods Help Repair Kidneys?
No food can repair damaged kidneys, but a kidney-friendly diet low in salt and processed foods helps slow CKD progression. Personalize it with a renal dietitian.
What Should I Avoid To Protect My Kidneys?
Kidneys are protected by avoiding frequent NSAIDs, unapproved herbal supplements, excess salt, smoking, and potassium salt substitutes if potassium is high.
How Is Kidney Function Tested?
Kidney function is tested with a blood test for creatinine and eGFR, and a urine test for albumin. People with diabetes or high blood pressure should be tested regularly.
How Can I Avoid Dialysis?
Dialysis may be delayed or avoided by seeing a nephrologist early, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, taking kidney-protective medicines, and following a renal diet.
References
- Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Chronic Kidney Disease Tests & Diagnosis.
- Heerspink HJL, Stefánsson BV, Correa-Rotter R, et al. Dapagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;383:1436–1446.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Identify & Evaluate Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.
- Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). Executive Summary of the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney International.