Certain lifestyle habits may help support your physical and mental well-being while living with IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

If you have IgAN, prescription medications are available to help limit kidney damage and lower your risk of complications. If you develop kidney failure, your doctor will prescribe dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Besides these treatment options, certain lifestyle changes can also help you manage IgAN. These changes include adjusting your diet or physical activities. Limiting alcohol, avoiding tobacco products, and managing stress are also important.

Read on to learn more about lifestyle habits that may help you live well with IgAN.

Your doctor might encourage you to make one or more of the following dietary changes to help manage IgAN, reduce your risk of complications, or support your overall health.

Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian who can help you develop a kidney-friendly eating plan.

Adjust your calorie intake

Your doctor may encourage you to lower your intake of calories if you have overweight or obesity.

Some 2021 research suggests that obesity may cause IgAN to worsen more quickly.

Limit sodium and other electrolytes

Sodium is an electrolyte — a mineral that helps regulate your body’s fluid balance and other functions.

Reducing sodium intake may help lower your blood pressure and reduce protein in your urine. Managing blood pressure is important for limiting kidney damage and reducing your risk of certain complications, including kidney failure.

The guideline for people without kidney disease is less than 2 grams of sodium per day. However, the recommendation for people with IgAN is usually significantly lower than this guideline. It’s important to consult your doctor or dietitian for specific instructions, as each person’s condition is different.

Sodium is naturally present in many foods and added to many prepackaged snacks, meals, condiments, and seasonings. It’s also added to foods as table salt.

Your doctor or dietitian can help you learn:

  • which foods and ingredients are naturally high in sodium
  • how to read nutrition labels to learn about the sodium in packaged foods
  • how to choose, prepare, and season low sodium snacks and meals

They may also encourage you to limit or adjust your intake of other electrolytes, such as:

  • calcium
  • phosphorous
  • potassium

Talk with your doctor or nutritionist to learn which foods or supplements contain electrolytes and how much is safe to consume.

Limit saturated and trans fats

Eating too much saturated or trans fats may increase fatty buildup in your blood vessels, which in turn could raise your risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular complications.

Your doctor or dietitian may encourage you to limit foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, such as:

  • fatty cuts of red meat
  • poultry with the skin on
  • high fat dairy products
  • certain fried and prepackaged foods

Avoid high protein diets

Your doctor or nutritionist will likely encourage you to limit the total amount of protein in your diet. They can help you learn how many grams of protein to eat per day, based on your individual needs. Your body needs enough protein to build and repair tissues, but eating too much protein causes your kidneys to work harder and may increase kidney damage.

Your doctor or nutritionist may also encourage you to choose plant-based proteins over animal proteins, while limiting red and processed meat in particular. A global study suggests that red and processed meats may increase the risk of kidney failure in certain people.

Sources of plant-based protein include:

  • tofu and other soy products
  • beans, lentils, and other legumes
  • quinoa, sorghum, and other grains
  • nuts and seeds

Even if you focus on eating plant-based proteins over animal proteins, it’s still possible to get too much. Talk with your doctor or dietitian to learn how much protein to eat per day and which sources may be the healthiest options for you.

Moderate your liquid intake

Drinking enough fluids is important for staying hydrated, but it’s possible to drink too much. Kidney damage from IgAN makes it harder for your kidneys to remove excess fluid.

Ask your doctor or dietitian how much water or other fluids you should drink per day.

Choose nutrient- and fiber-rich foods

Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lean proteins can help you get the nutrients and fiber your body needs.

Your doctor or dietitian might recommend a specific diet or eating pattern high in nutrient-rich foods. Examples include the Mediterranean diet and dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet.

Other considerations

Some people with IgAN have other health conditions, such as liver disease, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which may require dietary changes to manage.

Talk with your doctor or dietitian to learn how to meet your specific dietary needs.

Physical activity can help you manage your weight, lower your blood pressure, and increase your fitness. It may also have benefits for improving your overall quality of life.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, it’s important to listen to your body and adjust your exercise intensity based on your energy level.

If you experience general fatigue related to IgAN, consider exercising moderately for short periods a few times per day instead of doing drawn-out, intense exercise routines.

Complications such as kidney failure, edema (swelling), and feeling sick in general likely contribute to a sedentary lifestyle and can make it hard for you to exercise. This is common among people living with IgAN, who often need to make an extra effort to stay active.

If you have late stage kidney disease, you may experience complications such as edema, especially in the lower extremities. This can be uncomfortable, and the condition may worsen with prolonged standing. If you have edema or hypertension, consider seeking personalized advice about activities that can help reduce these symptoms.

If you drink alcohol, limiting the amount is important for managing your blood pressure and lowering your risk of certain health conditions.

Some people with IgA nephropathy also have chronic liver disease, which increases the risks linked to alcohol consumption. Your doctor will likely advise you to avoid alcohol if you have cirrhosis or other types of chronic liver disease.

For individuals with IgAN, alcohol can further damage the kidneys. Thekidney disease itself interferes with the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol. This could lead to alcohol toxicity in the body. So, even if you don’t have liver disease, it’s best to avoid alcohol entirely.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor to learn whether they recommend changes to your alcohol consumption habits. Let them know if you’re finding it difficult to limit or avoid alcohol. They may refer you to a substance use counselor or recommend other treatments to help you make changes.

If you currently smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products, taking steps to cut back and quit may help prevent or delay kidney failure from IgAN.

A 2021 study in China found that people with IgAN who were current or former smokers were more likely to develop end stage kidney disease, compared with those who had never smoked. The risk increased according to how much someone had smoked.

A review of early research suggests that vaping or using electronic nicotine delivery devices such as e-cigarettes, may also cause kidney damage.

Your doctor can help you develop a plan to cut back and quit using tobacco products.

Smoking cessation programs, such as the Freedom from Smoking program run by the American Lung Association, are available to support you with your goal.

You can also visit smokefree.gov to find tools and tips to help you cut back and quit.

Living with a chronic condition such as IgAN may be stressful. Taking steps to manage stress and find social support may help you manage some of the challenges of this condition.

You might find it helpful to engage in the following activities:

  • Joining a support group for people with chronic kidney disease.
  • Writing in a journal or talking with others about the challenges you’re experiencing.
  • Practicing stress-relieving techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
  • Making time for exercise, hobbies, and other activities that you enjoy.

Let your doctor know if you’re having frequent or severe feelings of stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. They may refer you to a mental health specialist who can help you develop strategies to manage. They might also recommend medication to help treat mental health symptoms.

Certain lifestyle habits or changes may help you manage IgAN.

Your doctor may recommend changes to your diet or refer you to a registered dietitian who can help you develop a kidney-friendly eating plan. They may encourage you to adjust your calorie intake to support weight management. They may advise you to reduce or increase your consumption of certain foods, nutrients, or fluids.

Regular exercise with IgAN is important for managing your weight, blood pressure, and fitness. Limiting or avoiding alcohol, tobacco products, and stress can also be beneficial to your health.

Consider joining a support group for people with chronic kidney disease. Talking with loved ones or a mental health specialist about the challenges you’re experiencing might also help.

Let your doctor know if you’re finding it difficult to adjust your lifestyle habits or follow their recommendations. They may prescribe certain treatments, share resources or tips, or refer you to a specialist to support healthy changes.