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What's New
PubMed · December 31, 2026
Researchers found that eating a low-protein diet helped people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste — by improving blood sugar control and lowering the levels of harmful waste products in the blood that damaged kidneys can't clear out. The diet also triggered a rise in a hormone called FGF21, which helps the body adapt to eating less protein, though this same hormone may also cause some muscle loss, which is a concern for people with CKD who already need to protect their strength. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Medications
PubMed · December 1, 2026
This research looked at two blood thinners — Eliquis (apixaban) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban) — compared to an older blood thinner called warfarin, in people who have atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat that raises stroke risk) and are on dialysis due to serious kidney disease. The study found that Eliquis and Xarelto were linked to lower rates of dangerous bleeding, stroke, and death compared to warfarin in this group, which is a meaningful safety and effectiveness update for a population that has historically been very difficult to treat. This adds to a growing picture suggesting these newer blood thinners may be a safer option than warfarin for people in this specific situation, though your doctor would weigh all the details before making any decision.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether apixaban might be safer than warfarin for preventing blood clots if the patient have atrial fibrillation and kidney problems.
Medications
PubMed · December 1, 2026
This is about Farxiga (dapagliflozin), a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana, which researchers looked at specifically for people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood. The study, which combined results from eight earlier studies, found that Farxiga was linked to meaningful improvements in anemia (low red blood cell levels, which causes fatigue and weakness) in people with kidney disease, along with a lower risk of death compared to other treatments. This appears to be a promising new option for managing anemia in kidney disease, a condition where current treatments come with notable safety concerns.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether dapagliflozin might help with anemia that comes from the patient's kidney disease.
Lifestyle
PubMed · December 1, 2026
A large review of 82 studies found that people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood — who did regular physical exercise were less likely to die, had lower high blood pressure, stronger heart and lung function, and less inflammation in their bodies. The benefit was especially strong for people on dialysis, a treatment that does the kidneys' filtering work for them. The type of exercise studied was structured aerobic activity, things like walking or cycling, done consistently over time — concrete enough that someone could lace up their shoes and take a brisk 20–30 minute walk today.
What's New
PubMed · November 2, 2026
Researchers found that older adults with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste — who took dapagliflozin, a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana, were much less likely to progress from 'prefrailty' (being at risk of becoming physically weak and fragile) to full frailty over the course of a year. The study also found that people with worse kidney function tended to walk more slowly and have poorer physical abilities overall, suggesting that kidney health and physical strength are closely linked. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether dapagliflozin might help slow down the patient's physical decline and frailty, given that the patient has both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
Researchers found that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD, a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the body properly) who followed a 12-week home exercise program — including interval walking and strength training — showed improvements in blood flow within their muscles and in how well their muscles use oxygen, which are signs that the muscles are getting healthier and more efficient. The study also found a drop in certain cells linked to scarring inside muscle tissue, which hints that regular exercise might help slow the buildup of scar tissue in muscles over time — something that is a common problem for people with CKD. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
Researchers found that regular exercise may help improve lung capacity and the strength of breathing muscles in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the body's waste. This matters because weakened breathing muscles are a common but often overlooked problem for people with CKD, and stronger breathing muscles can make everyday activities feel easier. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
A study found that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD — a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood) who followed a low-protein diet were at higher risk of losing muscle mass if they were already poorly nourished when they started the diet or if they ended up eating fewer calories overall while on it. This matters because muscle loss can make people weaker and harder to treat over time, and it suggests that simply cutting protein without paying close attention to overall nutrition may come with a hidden cost. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
Researchers found that people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood) and obesity have often struggled with their weight for a long time, and they responded well to a very low-calorie eating plan when they felt supported by a caring, trustworthy care team and a program tailored to their individual needs. The study highlighted that having personalized routines and ongoing encouragement helped people stick with the diet and build lasting habits. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
Researchers found that combining a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana with another type of kidney-protective drug called a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist — which helps regulate fluid and salt balance — reduced a key marker of kidney stress called albuminuria (protein in the urine) more effectively than using either drug alone in people with chronic kidney disease. However, the combination also raised the risk of high potassium levels in the blood, which can be a serious concern that doctors need to watch closely. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
Researchers found that actively lowering phosphorus levels in the blood — a mineral that damaged kidneys struggle to filter out — was linked to significantly better outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are not yet on dialysis (a machine that does the work of the kidneys). Specifically, the analysis of 27 studies involving over 3,000 patients suggested that greater phosphorus reduction was associated with roughly half the risk of death and a meaningfully lower chance of needing dialysis. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · November 1, 2026
Researchers found that talk-based therapies — especially a structured approach called cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps people recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns — significantly reduced feelings of depression in people with advanced kidney disease or those on dialysis, compared to routine medical care alone. Depression is very common in people living with kidney disease and can make their overall health worse, so finding that these non-medication approaches can help is an encouraging sign. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 30, 2026
A study found that people with advanced kidney disease who followed a 12-week exercise program at home — with check-ins from their care team via video or an online platform — were able to walk noticeably farther and felt less fatigued, compared to those who only received their usual care. Researchers also found improvements in muscle strength, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life, which matters because kidney disease (a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood) can make people feel weak and tired over time. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 30, 2026
Researchers found that treating a common stomach bacterial infection called H. pylori — which many people carry without knowing it — was linked to a meaningful drop in protein leaking into the urine, a key warning sign that the kidneys are under stress. People who cleared the infection earlier also appeared to have a lower chance of developing chronic kidney disease compared to those who didn't. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 30, 2026
Researchers found that a different blood sugar tracking tool called glycated albumin (GA) may do a better job than the standard blood sugar level (A1C) test at spotting poor blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes who also have serious kidney disease — catching it in 52% of cases compared to just 19% with the A1C test alone. This matters because when kidneys are severely damaged, the A1C test can give misleading results, and missing poor blood sugar control can lead to more health problems down the line. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 30, 2026
Researchers found that in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, older patients and women tended to show greater reductions in a key marker of kidney stress — a protein called albumin leaking into the urine, which signals how hard the kidneys are working — compared to younger patients and men, regardless of which medication they were taking. This difference in response wasn't explained by the treatments themselves, meaning age and sex seem to independently influence how the kidneys respond. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 22, 2026
Researchers found that eating more nuts — or swapping red and processed meat for nuts — may be linked to a lower chance of developing chronic kidney disease, a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. The connection wasn't perfectly consistent across all the studies reviewed, and the evidence for people who already have kidney disease is still very limited. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
JAMA · October 20, 2026
A study examined whether two different urine tests — one that measures a specific protein called albumin, and one that measures protein overall — are better at predicting who with chronic kidney disease (CKD, meaning long-term kidney damage) might develop serious complications like kidney failure or serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes. Understanding which test gives doctors more useful information could help identify high-risk patients earlier and guide closer monitoring. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 16, 2026
Researchers found that combining online education with video calls between patients and peer mentors helped people on hemodialysis — a life-sustaining treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it — work toward healthier habits, particularly to prevent sudden blood pressure drops that can happen during treatment. About one in four eligible patients joined the program, and those who did reported making meaningful changes to support their health. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 10, 2026
Researchers looked into whether a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana — which is also used to help protect the kidneys — might affect bone health in people with chronic kidney disease. The results were mixed: a couple of studies found a possible higher risk of bone fractures and amputations, but most other studies did not find the same thing, and one study even suggested this type of medication may help keep certain bone and mineral levels in a healthier range. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 10, 2026
Researchers found that a newer type of oral medication used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys don't work well enough — appears to modestly raise levels of a protein in the body called VEGF, which affects blood vessels. The most noticeable side effect linked to this rise was swelling, especially in the legs or feet, though no increased risk of cancer or eye damage was found in the shorter-term studies reviewed. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 6, 2026
Researchers found that more than half of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood) have a pattern called 'nondipping,' meaning their blood pressure stays high at night instead of naturally dropping during sleep like it does in most people. This matters because the study found that people with CKD whose blood pressure did drop at night had a significantly lower risk of death, serious heart problems like heart attacks or strokes, and their kidney disease getting worse compared to those whose blood pressure stayed elevated overnight. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 2, 2026
Researchers found that a diabetes medication like Jardiance or Invokana helped protect the kidneys in people who had both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. Across 17 studies involving nearly 30,000 people, these medications also improved blood sugar control (A1C), reduced body weight, and lowered high blood pressure. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
Researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes who took a diabetes medication like Ozempic (semaglutide) were less likely to experience serious kidney problems — such as a major loss of kidney function or kidney failure — compared to those who took a placebo (a dummy pill with no active medicine). The analysis pooled data from nearly 31,000 people across three large studies, making the findings fairly robust. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
Researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease — a condition where the kidneys are gradually losing their ability to filter waste — were able to successfully complete a remote monitoring study from home, tracking a key marker of kidney stress called albumin in their urine. Participants took a diabetes medication like Jardiance, and some were later switched to or combined it with another drug called finerenone, with the goal of better protecting the kidneys. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
A study found that among people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, those who kept their blood sugar level (A1C) and blood pressure consistently within healthy target ranges over time had a meaningfully lower risk of kidney damage compared to those whose levels often fell outside those targets. Specifically, people who kept their blood sugar level (A1C) in the target range 100% of the time had about a 20% lower risk of kidney problems than those who were in range less than half the time. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
Researchers found that a group of newer blood pressure medications called aldosterone synthase inhibitors — which work by blocking a hormone that raises blood pressure — may help lower blood pressure and reduce protein leakage in the urine (a sign of kidney stress) in people with chronic kidney disease. Across five studies involving over 1,100 patients, these medications lowered the top blood pressure number by nearly 8 points on average and reduced urine protein levels by about 32%, though they were also linked to a higher chance of elevated potassium levels in the blood, which can be a concern for people with kidney problems. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
A study found that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter the blood — who did daily breathing exercises to strengthen their breathing muscles saw improvements in lung capacity and the strength of those muscles. This matters because CKD can quietly weaken the muscles used for breathing even before a person needs dialysis (a machine that does the kidneys' filtering work), and stronger breathing muscles may help people feel better day-to-day. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
Researchers found that an interactive, video-based tool featuring a virtual kidney specialist helped people with advanced kidney disease feel more ready to talk with their doctor about kidney transplantation. Participants — many of whom were Black or female — tended to choose a virtual doctor who looked like them, and after using the tool for about 13 minutes on their smartphone, they reported stronger intentions to have that conversation. This matters because many people with serious kidney disease never get enough information about transplantation, which can offer better survival and quality of life than dialysis (a machine-based treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it). This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · October 1, 2026
A study found that giving frail older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD — a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood) a one-time, in-depth assessment by a geriatrics specialist did not significantly help them reach their personal health goals compared to standard care alone. This might matter for people with CKD because finding effective ways to support frail older patients is an important and ongoing challenge in their care. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
For informational purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a physician before making any health decisions.