What to Eat and Not Eat When You Have IgA Nephropathy or C3G

You may be unfamiliar with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), but it’s one of the top causes of chronic kidney disease.

Though complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is rare, it also causes kidney disease and irreversible kidney damage.

Both conditions require skilled medical care and lifestyle adjustments that fit your unique needs — services you can receive at Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC.

As a kidney care specialist, Dr. Middlebrook helps you prevent kidney disease whenever possible and provides exceptional care supporting optimal kidney health after problems arise.

Here, he explains IgAN and C3G and the vital role of diet in their treatment.

Learn about IgAN and C3G

IgAN and C3G are different kidney diseases, but they share similarities. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and complement 3 (C3) are essential immune system proteins that help your body fight bacteria, viruses, and other invading microorganisms.

However, if your IgA or C3 levels get too high, they accumulate in your kidneys. Though several risk factors contribute to high IgA and C3 levels, an overactive or dysfunctional immune system is the primary reason for the excessive cells.

As the proteins build up in the kidneys, inflammation develops, damaging the tissues inside the kidneys and causing scarring. The affected tissues can’t effectively filter your blood, allowing wastes and toxins to stay in your bloodstream.

IgAN and C3G are chronic, incurable, and progressive. Without customized treatment and lifestyle management, they can gradually lead to kidney failure.

Recognize the signs of kidney problems

Recognizing the signs and seeking early treatment is the only way to protect your kidneys and slow or stop the progressive damage.

The following symptoms are red flags that you may have a serious kidney problem, whether due to IgAN or C3G:

Foamy urine
Puffiness around your eyes
Swelling of your belly, legs, feet, or hands (due to a fluid buildup)
Change in urine color (dark brown or cola-colored)
Blood in your urine
Fatigue and weakness

Schedule a kidney evaluation if any of these signs appear and don’t improve or worsen.

Modify your diet to support kidney health

The foods you eat have a tremendous impact on your kidney health. Dietary changes can prevent kidney disease by averting the top two causes of chronic kidney disease: diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Even if you have normal blood pressure before IgAN or C3G develops, your risk of high blood pressure increases after they cause kidney disease — a problem you may avoid or manage with dietary changes.

And after you’re diagnosed with IgAN or C3G, your diet is an important part of treatment to promote your overall health while reducing kidney damage.

Foods to reduce or avoid

If you have IgAN or C3G, you should:

Reduce salt (sodium)

Most Americans consume 3,300 mg of salt daily, significantly more than the recommended 2,300 mg. And if you have kidney disease, we may suggest aiming for less than that.

Dietary salt raises your blood pressure, and high blood pressure damages your kidneys. Consuming too much salt makes your kidneys work harder because they regulate blood pressure and eliminate excess water and salt.

Though it helps to limit the amount of salt added during cooking or at the table, it represents a small proportion of your daily salt intake.

Try to avoid prepared or packaged meals and restaurant food (whether fast or fancy); they’re incredibly high in salt. Other foods containing excessive salt include cold cuts, bread, pizza, salty snacks, and canned foods that aren’t labeled as being low in sodium.

Be careful with protein

Eating too much protein stresses your kidneys as they work harder when eliminating wastes produced during protein metabolism.

However, whether or not you need to limit protein and the best amount for you depends on the extent of your kidney damage, how well your kidneys are working, and if you need dialysis.

Talk with us if you already follow or are considering a high-protein diet. We give personalized recommendations based on your unique needs.

Foods to enjoy

We may recommend dietary restrictions if IgAN or C3G progresses to an advanced stage. Otherwise, you can enjoy a wide range of foods.

A healthy diet includes whole foods you cook at home, such as:

Lean meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Whole grains
Beans
Eggs
Vegetables
Fruits
Nuts
Seeds

Since we can’t cure IgAN or C3G, you must maintain your diet for the rest of your life. We help you create a meal plan that supports your kidney health and fits your lifestyle.

Call Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC to learn more about dietary modifications for IgAN, C3G, and chronic kidney disease. You can also connect through online booking.