Losing Weight to Maintain Kidney Function in Overweight Patients

from Pharmacy Intern Lynda Pardo, Pharm.D.(c)
Palm Beach Atlantic University, Lloyd L. Gregory School of Pharmacy


In a study conducted through a meta-analysis and systematic review published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, it was found that patients who were overweight or obese and lost weight using either surgical or non-surgical procedures decreased the decline of the functions of their kidneys. The subjects under investigation were patients who had mild to moderate CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), not dependent upon dialysis, and the filtration rate of their kidneys was higher than normal.
The researchers found that overweight patients with declining kidney function who lost weight utilizing non-surgical procedures where able to bring down their BMI (body-mass index), protein in their urine, blood pressure, and halt the decline of their glomerular filtration rate. Long-standing hypertension (high blood pressure), proteinuria, and a disfunctioning filtration system can potentially lead to end-stage renal failure if not controlled properly and promptly.
For obese patients in whom surgical procedures where used to assist in their weight loss and who suffered from overfiltration by the kidneys, these patients also had a decline in their BMI, blood pressure, protein in the urine, and the glomerular filtration rate.
Although researchers discovered some further benefits of losing weight as it relates to improvement of renal function, they feel that long-term, as opposed to their short term studies are needed to evaluate the results of possible progression to end-stage renal disease.
This study was also able to show that decreasing variables such as blood pressure and microalbuminuria can not only prevent cardiovascular diseases but also renal diseases as well.

My own lifestyle changes lead to new service offerings

Welcome. I’m Brian Wolstenholme and I’d like to share part of my life with you.

I’ve developed an absolute passion about helping people make enduring lifestyle changes because, from several areas of my own life, I know how difficult and important change can be. In fact, as a Consultant Pharmacist, my primary work is to help people improve their lives.

My personal lifestyle challenge has been in the area of weight. Each time I attempted to change, I tackled it wholeheartedly. I tried controlling portions, I tried Weight Watchers, I tried exercising more, and I even tried a few fad diets. They all worked—temporarily. I found out that, for me, something was missing in each program I tried. What I discovered missing was a close personal relationship with a person who would coach me through my difficulties to achieve my ultimate goal.

As a Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist I know better than most what havoc poor lifestyle choices can wreak on the human body by the time the body reaches old age. I also knew if I didn’t make a permanent change in my weight, I was easily cutting ten years off my life. Not to mention that it was getting difficult to play with my child.

So the last time I resolved to lose weight, I took stock of everything I’d tried before. After some thought it became clear that the three times in my life I had successfully lost weight and maintained the weight loss, I was coached—first by my high school football coach and later by my Army Drill Sergeant. Later in life I was informally coached by a fellow pharmacist. It was while reviewing the weight lost achieved with my co-worker that I realized coaching was such an integral part of making permanent lifestyle changes.

I did some research. Being a pharmacist I was drawn to what the medical profession had to recommend. I found that the American College of Sports Medicine endorses wellcoaches©.

I signed up. I started losing weight. My coach helped me to achieve realistic goals in health, fitness, and wellness.

I became so enthusiastic I took their training to become a certified health and wellness coach—which led to the expansion of Medisort’s service offerings.

As I said, my passion is helping people. For years I’ve been reviewing patients’ medications and recommending potentially life-saving changes. (See our companion website and my credentials at www.Medisort.net.) Once I realized how powerful a coach was in creating permanent lifestyle changes I had to become one to share with others the way to improve their lifestyle and life span.

If you choose me to be your coach, I pledge to you I will be nonjudgmental while giving you guidance and support which will enable you to achieve your goals. I will be much more than a cheerleader; I will be your advocate.

Introducing MediSort Health and Wellness Services

Are past lifestyle choices causing you problems in your life today? Are you overweight? Do you have one or more chronic medical conditions? Has your doctor said you must:

· Lose or gain weight

· Reduce stress

· Exercise more

· Quit smoking

· Stop drinking

· Take your medication properly

So, you make up your mind: I will change.

A few people will, all by themselves. Scientific studies have proven, time and time again, that one out of ten people can change their behavior and lifestyle on their own. That means that nine out of ten people will not be able to change permanently.

Bad news, isn’t it? People do make changes, especially after their body drives the doctor’s point home by means of a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, or some other debilitating disease. People make changes for a few weeks, months, or even a year or two. Then people gradually revert to their old lifestyle.

However, the good news is scientific studies have also shown that working with a coach greatly increases the probability of your making permanent behavioral and lifestyle changes. I, personally, can attest to the fact that having a coach makes a tremendous difference in making a permanent lifestyle change.

Is it possible to greatly improve your quality of life and add at least a decade to your life span? Is it possible to have more energy to do the things you want? The answer is a resounding “Yes.”

For those of you with a chronic health condition, additional questions may be: Is it possible to stop taking so much medicine? Can I really improve to the point of feeling better and doing more? “Probably” is the answer to the first question and “yes” the answer to the second.

The vital point is take action now.

When you read my story (my next post), you’ll understand why I am so personally invested in advocating a coach. Over my life span I’ve tried a number of different venues to change and having a coach is the one that worked. You’ll also understand why my professional credentials make me uniquely qualified to help you develop the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.