Dec 15 , 2025
If you’ve ever Googled “Can GFR increase again?” at 2 a.m. while sipping water like it is holy nectar, trust me; you’re not alone. In fact, that exact question has probably been typed more times than “Why am I always tired?” or “How to lose belly fat without exercise?”
Before we jump in, let’s start with the basics. GFR (short for Glomerular Filtration Rate) is your kidneys’ report card. It tells you how well they’re filtering waste from your blood. Higher GFR = happy kidneys. Lower GFR = kidneys giving you the silent treatment.
The short answer is: Yes, sometimes it can!
The longer answer is: It depends on your kidneys, your habits, your health, and a bit of luck.
Let’s break it all down in the simplest, most friendly way.
Imagine your kidneys are two hardworking employees whose job is to clean your blood. GFR is like checking how many files they process in a minute. If they’re processing 90 or above, perfect! They deserve a raise.
If the number starts dipping below 60, it means they’re slowing down. Below 15? That’s when they’re basically saying, “Boss, we can’t do this anymore.”
So yes, GFR matters. Ignore it, and your kidneys might strike.
Here comes the part you’re waiting for.
The damage isn’t permanent
The cause is treatable
You start taking care of those poor kidneys
The universe is on your side (just kidding… but not really)
The kidney damage is advanced
There’s a lot of scarring
The underlying disease keeps getting worse
You’re still eating bucketloads of salt like it’s popcorn
In short, GFR can increase, but only in certain situations.
Sometimes your GFR dips simply because your body’s water tank is empty. Drink enough water, and voilà, your GFR rises like petrol prices.
Urinary infections, kidney swelling, or sudden illnesses can drop your GFR. Once treated, your kidneys bounce back like a teenager recovering from a breakup.
High blood pressure and diabetes are like the two villains in a Bollywood movie trying to destroy your kidneys. Once controlled, your GFR often improves.
Think of it as giving your kidneys a spa day… every day.
Ayurvedic herbs like Punarnava, Gokshura, and Varun can help support kidney function naturally. Not a magic trick, but definitely a supportive friend.
Your kidneys are sensitive creatures. They don’t like:
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Too much salt
Smoking
Painkillers are taken like candy
Stress (yes, even kidneys hate stress)
When exposed to these things repeatedly, they get tired, and your GFR goes down.
Signs Your Kidneys Might Be Crying for Help
Swelling in the legs, face, or feet
Feeling tired even after doing nothing
Foamy urine (yes, that’s a real thing)
Loss of appetite
High blood pressure
Sleep issues
Frequent or very little urination
If your kidneys could talk, they’d be screaming, “Please give us a break!”
Okay, listen closely. This is like a relationship: You give love, you get love.
1. Drink enough water, but don’t overdo it: You don’t need to become a water tanker. Just keep hydrated.
2. Cut down on salt: Your kidneys didn’t sign up for “Salt Bae” levels of sodium.
3. Manage sugar levels: Your kidneys hate sugar more than your dentist does.
4. Keep blood pressure under control: Think of BP as the boss. If he loses control, the whole office collapses.
5. Eat kidney-friendly foods: If you want to increase GFR with diet, include:
Apples
Berries
Lauki (sorry, but it’s good!)
Cauliflower
Moringa
Olive oil
in your diet.
6. Avoid unnecessary painkillers: Ibuprofen is good for headaches, not for daily breakfast.
7. Try Ayurveda for long-term support: Ayurveda helps the body heal from the root, not just temporarily. Herbs, diet, and lifestyle changes can help slow down damage and, in some cases, help GFR improve.
8. Reduce stress: Meditate, listen to music, go for a walk, talk to your favorite person… Just don’t stress. Kidneys hate drama.
Don’t Google symptoms every hour; it increases panic, not GFR.
Don’t listen to random Facebook “health experts.”
Don’t eat high-protein diets without medical advice.
Don’t drink alcohol like water.
Your kidneys are already struggling; don’t give them extra homework.
Absolutely! Ayurveda doesn’t promise miracles, but it does aim to:
Reduce swelling in the kidneys
Improve circulation
Restore natural filtering capacity
Balance the doshas
Strengthen the urinary system
Many people see improvements in GFR and creatinine when they follow Ayurvedic treatment consistently, especially in the early and middle stages of kidney issues.
YES. There is hope. Your GFR is not a fixed number carved on stone. It can go up with care, treatment, and healthy habits. But (and this is important), don’t wait for things to become serious. Kidneys are loyal, hardworking, shy organs. They don’t complain until things are really bad.
So, take care of them NOW. Drink water, eat healthy, laugh more, stress less, avoid junk, sleep well, and your kidneys will thank you by improving your GFR.
Yes, GFR can improve if the cause of damage is treated early and you take good care of your kidneys.
Yes, but only to an extent. A healthy lifestyle, good blood pressure control, low salt, and proper treatment can help.
Fruits like Blueberries, Apples, Grapes, and Cherries, plus kidney-friendly veggies like Red Bell Peppers, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Onions, Garlic, and Asparagus.
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