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Improve your kidney health with these medically-backed remedies
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Studies show that if there are excessive amounts of albumin (a globular protein produced by your liver) in your urine, it could be an indicator of kidney damage. [1] X Research source The condition is called microalbuminuria (or albuminuria) and can increase your risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, experts note that with lifestyle changes and proper medical treatment, you can reduce your microalbumin levels. [2] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source This article highlights these medically recommended diet and lifestyle changes, as well as the testing and medication your healthcare provider is likely to prescribe to lower your microalbumin levels.
Things You Should Know
- Eat a low-protein, low-fat, low-sugar diet centered on produce, unprocessed carbohydrates, and low-sodium foods. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Combine your diet with regular exercise (ideally 30 minutes a day) to maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Take prescribed medications according to your doctor’s instructions. These may include ACE inhibitors, statins, or insulin (if you’re diabetic or insulin-resistant).
Steps
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Focus your diet on slow carbs and low-protein, low-sugar foods. Damaged kidneys cannot process proteins normally, so give your kidneys time to rest by reducing your protein intake. Focus on fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, and low-fat dairy products while limiting red or processed meats, sodium, and sugar-sweetened beverages like soda. [3] X Research source Also eat foods that consist of slow carbohydrates (unprocessed carbs that take longer to digest and don’t cause your glucose levels to spike). Some healthy options include:
- Slow carbohydrate foods: porridge oats, beans, brown rice, pasta, lentils, carrots, sweet potatoes, whole grains, and asparagus.
- Low protein food: bread and cereals, pasta, lettuce, celery, sprouts, cucumber, parsley, tofu, fish, and lean meats like chicken. [4] X Research source
- Low-fat and low sodium-foods: avoid fried foods (use olive oil if need be), adding salt to your meals, and canned products such as soup, vegetables, and pasta sauces [5] X Research source
- Low-sugar foods: eggs, kidney beans, tofu, walnuts, cottage cheese, olives, spinach, turnips, asparagus, and barley.
- Eat small, frequent meals rather than binge eating or eating fewer large meals. This helps your kidneys not to overwork and strain themselves from filtering all the waste products.
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Reduce or eliminate alcohol from your diet. Getting abnormal levels of microalbumin on your test results is indicative of poor kidney function. The affected kidney can no longer filter ethanol from alcohol efficiently, which increases the risk of prolonged high microalbumin levels. To combat this, cut out alcohol and replace it with water, teas, and unsweetened juices. [6] X Research source
- A glass of red wine once in a while is your healthiest bet if you need to blend in at your next soiree. Anything other than that should be avoided.
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Quit smoking gradually. Smoking is linked to renal (kidney) disease and failure and also contributes to high blood pressure. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Aim to cut back a little bit at a time rather than going “cold turkey” to avoid withdrawal symptoms and to make the process easier on yourself. Quitting alcohol and/or smoking can be a struggle, but the positive impacts on your kidney health and microalbumin levels makes the journey worthwhile.
- Chronic smokers have a greater risk in developing high blood pressure (smoking restricts your blood vessels, forcing your heart to pump harder, which stresses your kidneys). Nicotine from cigarettes can increase your blood pressure to 10mmHg. If you smoke throughout the day, your blood pressure will remain constantly high.
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Lower your blood pressure with medication, exercise, and diet. Having unmanaged high blood pressure can be a factor of why your albumin levels are high. If you consistently have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about medication that can control it, such as ACE inhibitors like Privinil or Zestril. Limit foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and aim to regularly exercise 3 to 4 times a week for about 30 minutes each time. [8] X Research source
- Also aim to get a good night’s sleep every night (about 7-8 hours) to reduce stress and high blood pressure
- Normal blood pressure ranges from below 120/80 (mmHg) to 130/80. Blood pressure that is equal to or more than 140 (mmHg) is considered to be high.
- Ask your primary health care provider to have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure you're on the right track.
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Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Being overweight or obese puts additional stress on your kidneys and may contribute to kidney damage. If you need to cut down on your weight , follow the kidney-healthy diet recommended by your doctor and try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day, including both aerobic activities like walking, cycling, or swimming, and lifting weights . If you’re new to working out or have health concerns, ask your doctor what exercises and intensity levels are best for you. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Consider working with a dietician to develop a meal plan. That way, you can stay focused on a low-protein, low-sugar diet that benefits your kidneys and helps you lose weight at the same time.
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Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated . The more you're dehydrated, the more your albumin levels will rise. Aim to drink the recommended 8-12 glasses of water every day to help eliminate some of the albumin in your urine, and drink extra if you sweat a lot and exercise routinely (this will also prevent dehydration). Proper hydration is linked to a lower risk of both elevated albumin (albuminuria) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Avoid fatty and salty foods. They absorb the water in your body and contribute to both dehydration and high blood pressure.
- Aim to drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Limit high-sugar foods to lower your blood glucose levels . If you’re diabetic or prediabetic, unmanaged blood sugar (glucose) levels can cause kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy), leading to higher microalbumin levels in your urine. [12] X Research source Cut back on sugar, alcohol, and simple carbs (like white rice or sugary sodas) and exercise regularly to manage your glucose levels, avoid diabetes and obesity, and keep an eye on your microalbumin.
- A normal fasting glucose level ranges from 70 to 100 mg/dl. If your fasting level measures 100 to 125 mg/dl, then you may have prediabetes. [13] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- If you currently have diabetes, your albumin will be elevated because unmanaged blood sugar damages your kidney function. 180 mg/dl is the average threshold of the kidneys for diabetics in the 2 hours after a meal. That is why if there are excessive amounts of albumin and glucose in your system, it will affect the function of the kidney and will further cause kidney damage.
- A healthy diet and exercise can help you lower your blood pressure and blood glucose in addition to positively impacting your body weight, too.
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Check your albumin levels with a microalbumin creatinine ratio test. Monitoring your levels will let you know if you’re developing or at risk for developing kidney disease, especially since early kidney disease doesn’t usually have symptoms. This test will check the albumin count in your urine. Early detection of the problem can lead to significant changes that lessen kidney damage. [14] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- To test your levels, the doctor will give you either a random urine test or a timed-collection urine test. The first is where you pee in a cup at the doctor's office as normal. The second is where you collect all your urine for a day and record the time. The entire batch is used as a sample to test your microalbumin over a 24-hour period.
- Avoid intense exercise or eating meat before your exam since these activities can temporarily alter your albumin or creatinine levels.
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Compare your results to the normal level of microalbumin. Upon proper urine collection, the sample will be examined and interpreted by a medical technologist. Microalbumin test results are measured in terms of milligrams (mg) of protein leakage over 24 hours. The results can be interpreted as follows: [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- The normal result is less than 30 mg.
- 30 to 300 mg is indicative of early kidney disease.
- More than 300 mg is indicative of more advanced kidney disease.
- Discuss your results with your healthcare provider to make prompt treatment and management decisions. If the level of microalbumin is higher than normal, repeating the test may be recommended by your healthcare provider to be sure.
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Consider using angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs inhibit the conversion of the hormone angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This results in your blood vessels widening, which reduces tension on the blood vessels and volume of the blood—in other words, it lowers your blood pressure. ACE inhibitors are proven to reduce the leakage of proteins like microalbumin into the urine. [16] X Research source
- The most common prescribed ACE inhibitors are Captopril, Perindopril, Ramipril, Enalapril and Lisinopril. Your doctor will know what's best for you.
- Alternatively, you may be prescribed an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).
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Talk to your doctor about statins. These drugs lower the cholesterol in the body by hindering the action of HMG-CoA reductase, which is an enzyme necessary in producing cholesterol in the liver. Lower cholesterol means easier work for your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys, which can reduce the microalbumin in your urine. [17] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- The most commonly prescribed statins are Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pitavastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin and Simvastatin.
- Statins are also used to reduce your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.
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Take insulin as directed if you’re diabetic or resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport blood sugar or glucose into the cells as a source of energy. Without sufficient insulin, the blood sugar cannot be transported inside the cells and remains in the bloodstream. A daily insulin injection upon the advice of a physician is important to maintain normal blood glucose levels. [18] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- This is only for those who are diabetic or have some type of insulin resistance. If your insulin works as normal, taking insulin shots will not help your microalbumin levels.
- If you’re diabetic, you may also be prescribed a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. This will help protect your kidneys and reduce your overall risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Best Foods and Meal Plans to Help Lower Microalbumin
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I lower my microalbumin levels?Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.Maintain your health by eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, exercising, and doing stress relief activities. Additionally, manage your blood sugar and blood pressure to keep them within the normal range.
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QuestionHow can I tell my microalbumin level?Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.Your doctor will need to do a urinalysis to screen you for microalbuminuria. In most cases, your doctor won't run this test unless you have a family history or symptoms of this condition or complications that can result from it.
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- Blood in your urine (hematuria), certain medications, fever, other kidney diseases, recent vigorous exercise, and urinary tract infections are several reasons your urine sample may falsely show high microalbumin levels.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/albuminuria
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/tests-diagnosis/albuminuria-albumin-urine
- ↑ https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/news/nephrology/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/healthy-diet-may-prevent-ckd-albuminuria/
- ↑ https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/lowprotrecipes
- ↑ https://healthfinder.gov/healthtopics/category/health-conditions-and-diseases/heart-health/low-sodium-foods-shopping-list
- ↑ https://www.kidney.org/news/kidneyCare/winter10/AlcoholAffects
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3968616/
- ↑ https://www.kidney-international.org/article/S0085-2538(15)51327-6/fulltext
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/managing
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34011099/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
- ↑ https://dtc.ucsf.edu/living-with-diabetes/complications/individual-complications/kidney-complications/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/getting-tested.html
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/microalbumin-creatinine-ratio/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8678728/
- ↑ https://dtc.ucsf.edu/living-with-diabetes/complications/individual%20complications/kidney-complications/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26776964/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9685682/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To lower your microalbumin, reduce your protein intake and focus your diet on low-protein, low-sugar, and slow carbohydrates like beans, brown rice, lettuce, and spinach. Each small, frequent meals rather than a few large ones, drink 8-12 glasses of water a day, and avoid drinking alcohol. Exercising 3-4 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure, which might be a factor if your albumin levels are high. If that still doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe an ACE inhibitor or statins. Keep reading to learn how blood glucose levels and albumin are connected!
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