Walking may help slow the decline of Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), but evidence suggests it may not directly improve it.
While the provided reference doesn't definitively state that walking improves GFR, it does indicate a correlation between walking and a slower rate of GFR decline. Let's break that down:
- What is GFR? Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering blood. A lower GFR indicates impaired kidney function.
- The Study's Findings: The study showed that participants who walked more (≥150 minutes per week) experienced a slower annualized rate of eGFR decline (-5.3% per year) compared to those who didn't walk at all (-8.6% per year).
- Interpretation: This suggests that regular walking may help preserve kidney function over time, but it doesn't necessarily mean it will actively improve a GFR that is already compromised. It's more about slowing down the worsening of kidney function.
In other words, walking may act as a preventative or mitigating factor against GFR decline, rather than a direct treatment to increase GFR. If your GFR is already low, consulting with a healthcare professional for specific medical advice and treatment options is essential. This might include dietary changes, medications, and other lifestyle modifications in addition to regular exercise like walking.
