Success Stories

I have been able to maintain the keto diet while keeping my saturated fat at 25-30g per day and fiber at around 50g. This makes me feel like I can do a high-fat diet while being mindful of limiting saturated fat and increasing fiber to aid in preventing CVD. The real win will be what my next lipid panel shows.

In the program, I learned about oxalates, which after several kidney stone issues, I was told by my nephrologist to stop eating all greens… Come to find out that all greens are not high in oxalates.
I now feel that I have the knowledge to eat the best possible to protect my kidney function.

I would highly recommend this for anyone with PKD. Better to spend money eating healthy than spending money being sick.

The program helped me understand the impact of food & water on my kidneys & my gut health. I learned a lot and plan to continue to use the knowledge I gained. I had an improvement in how I feel, as well as an 11 point improvement in my eGFR over the last 3 months.

The program was definitely intimidating at first and a little overwhelming, but it quickly became easy with the assistance of the zoom calls and dietitian guidance.

I knew there had to be something a PKD patient could do to improve their kidney function and I’m so happy to have found it through a plant-based ketogenic diet in the program. Before I started, my GFR had dropped and that was very concerning to me. By following the program, I have increased my GFR by 9 points. 
I have learned to make better choices, to not be afraid to do so and to allow myself to feel proud of what I’ve achieved, along with the help of the dedicated and caring team at the program.

Over the last 12 weeks, my journey with the program has been nothing short of transformative. Through the invaluable guidance and support provided, I’ve not only gained knowledge but also achieved significant milestones towards my health and wellness goals.
One of the program’s standout features for me was having access to a dedicated dietitian who helped me navigate the challenges of getting into ketosis. Beyond the individual support, being part of this community has been incredibly enriching. It’s a place where I found solidarity, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Knowing there was a community to lean on during tough times provided immense comfort and motivation.

Thank you for empowering me to take charge of my well-being and fostering a community that feels like home.

All of the modules have been super informative. I really LOVE the live classes and being able to meet with other folks who are focused on their kidney health and well-being.
The mindfulness modules, and having a holistic approach to this is amazing. I’ve always had issues where treatments just focus on one area/symptoms but there is SO much that affects our well-being, and supporting the person as a whole is the best way to treat someone, I believe!

I have lost weight, overall feel healthier. My gut health has definitely improved! Today I was able to complete a 14.5 hour fast without throwing up in the morning. Before if I didn’t eat at least by 10am I would be throwing up acid!

I feel more empowered with my food choices and incorporating mindfulness strategies during challenges. The sugar cravings I had have almost completely disappeared (and I used to be someone who would binge on baked goods and sweets! Never thought I’d be someone who doesn’t crave these!).

The plant/fish diet has gone well. Thought I would miss eating chicken or beef, but my body feels so good, I don’t feel like having it.

The program has done a wonderful job in improving my kidney health and removing my symptoms.

Before the program, my liver and kidney cysts caused me to feel too full after nearly every meal. The program provided me with a diet that helped me overcome this fullness and which also provided the nutrients that I needed to lead my active life. I am eating healthier and I feel more energetic and happier on the program diet.

I saw improvement immediately in a number of areas. My blood pressure meds had to be lowered, eventually I lost 35 pounds, and most importantly my GFR went from 45 to 67 in 4 months, all while on the program protocol. Thank you to everyone at the Kidney Nutrition Institute for your support and efforts!

My anxiety is gone. I had severe anxiety and off-and-on panic attacks for decades. I also have seasonal depression this time of year, but not this year. My blood pressure is doing so much better so my cardiologist reduced the dosage drastically. I feel so much better. I have a lot more energy.

The program helped me understand the importance of diet while navigating PKD. Before enrolling in the program, I was overwhelmed with what to eat and avoid and why. This program gave me the tools to understand the chemistry of foods and how they affect my kidneys and overall health. The diet helped me with needed weight loss and improve my blood pressure.

My labs showed marked improvement in lipids to normal (good) results. I will be sharing this information with my GP and nephrologist in hopes that they will pass this valuable program along to their ADPKD patients.

This program is well organized and implemented, and very effective. I learned a great deal about ways to improve and preserve my kidney function using a dietary approach. […]
I feel hope now for the first time in the several decades that I’ve had this disease.

I’ve learned so much with this program. Giving us hope so we can avoid dialysis. I cannot express enough appreciation for all that you are doing for us. My EGFR improved. I’m really happy I had this opportunity

The program gave me the knowledge and power to take control of my kidney health. After implementing the program plan, I was able to greatly reduce my blood pressure medicine, I lowered my glucose levels, and I lost weight.

After 12 weeks in the program, my GFR is higher and my creatinine level is lower. 
I will continue following the protocol after the program in the hope that my kidney function will stabilize.

The amount of support and information that is available. I don’t feel alone at all. This diet works for me. It makes sense.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much individual support I received during the program. My dietitian checked in weekly and answered any questions quickly.  The weekly group meetings were informative and concise. 
I feel confident that all of my nutritional needs are being met with a keto lifestyle.  Working with dietitians who are trained and passionate about PKD was money well spent for the program.

I love cooking and making the kitchen a big focus again. […] Satisfying on more than just the level of my physical hunger. It’s centering, meditative and I am much more mindful of the whole process of cooking/preparing and eating.

This program was empowering and incredibly supportive to both my mental and physical well-being. […] The program has given me hope and confidence in my choices.

The program gave me the support through the class and community to cope with my new diagnosis. It was great to interact with others who were going through the same thing. The best part was the 1-1 coaching with a registered dietitian.

I have followed the recipes and the message very closely and I have had great success after the 12 weeks. I have seen a jump in my eGFR of 10 points and most other lab results are great.

The program armed me with science-based information I could use to make decisions about my diet and personalized nutrition for my kidney health.
While I experienced a slight improvement in my eGFR over the course of a short program, more importantly, I am confident I can continue this program and make good choices to keep my kidneys as healthy as possible as long as possible.

The program gave me confidence and ability to manage my PKD through nutrition. […] My GFR improved from 77 to 82. I’ve lost about 6lbs and don’t even feel hungry.

I’m glad that I participated in the RISE program.
My most noticeable benefits were improvements in fatigue, belly bloating, brain fog, and the dull flank pain I had been experiencing almost daily prior to starting.

The support and encouragement from my dietitian really helped me to stay committed to the diet, and the modules were insightful as to what I could be doing to improve my health.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to have participated in the RISE program.  I learned a lot about how nutrition can positively impact me. 
A significant outcome for me (and I believe others) is that I feel increased optimism and agency.  I believe that I have gained control of tools that can assist in directing the progression of my PKD.  

A very significant outcome for me personally is that I have reduced nighttime urination from an average of eight times per night to three times per night.  This is hugely impactful in my life.  Additionally, my  pain has dialed down a degree.  That is again huge.  I am very grateful for my experience and participation with RISE.

In January of this year I became frustrated with my PKD diagnosis. My GFR just dropped. My blood pressure was always high, I felt overweight and bloated all the time, I had no energy, my back hurt anytime I was sitting combined with my doctor continuing to tell me there is nothing I could do.  Through Facebook I came across the RISE program and decided to give it try.
Once I started the program and received guidance on what I could eat and why everything began to make more sense. I started feeling better right away. My BP dropped to a normal range. I didn’t have nearly the same amount of pain and my energy level increased. I’m excited about my new lifestyle changes and confident I can continue with it. Thanks for all your help!

Being in the RISE program has made me much more aware of what I am eating and how that affects my health.  I’m very glad I participated and feel like it will leave a lasting impression for the rest of my life.

I was so emotional and scared starting this diet because everything with with PKD is negative outcome. My camera was even off on the orientation because my tears could not stop. Meeting people in class and hearing their stories is awesome and so encouraging because I have always felt alone in this fight.
The Fear turned in to Hope which then turns the Anxiety into Strength to fight. My Anchor statement is “Healing is within my choices and my reach.”

This program has taught me to choose the right foods and learn how to be flexible to still be able to enjoy life. Provided me with so many tools to change my lifestyle for my health and I will forever be grateful.

I now breathe a little easier and sleep better at night just knowing that I am making a change, that this program provides a change. HOPE for PKD!!!

I am so thankful for having experienced the RISE Program. It has erased the hopelessness that I felt after my doctor told me there was no cure. I have learned from supportive professionals who specialize in nutrition for PKD how to manage my kidney health.
I registered a significant improvement in my eGFR and my blood pressure has dropped to consistently normal levels during the three months. It is a joy to no longer feel anxious when I put that cuff on my arm. The expansion of my knowledge base of kidney health has rendered me confident and optimistic about my future health.

I believe the instruction, support and attention to detail that has been given throughout this program is unsurpassed.
I have learned more about how to best care for my kidney health in the past 12 weeks than I have learned in the past decade!

I am really glad that I started this program. I feel like even if I do half of the things I’ve learned about, I will improve my kidney health.
This change was shockingly easier than expected. I also never thought that a low carb diet would work for me, but I’ve learned that the carbs were causing me to be hungry quicker, whereas with this diet, the fat and increased fiber makes me feel fuller longer so my appetite has decreased.

I learned about the RISE nutrition program as soon as I was diagnosed with ADPKD. A new diagnosis can be overwhelming but I consider myself lucky to have been part of the beta program that made it very easy to switch to a new diet and set me up for success in the long run.
I found the science-driven information in the program to be very educational and empowering. My lab results are proof that the RISE program is onto something for PKD patients.

I also appreciated the community of PKD warriors that they are building that makes you feel less alone on this journey. I highly recommend the program and the dietitians at RISE!

I was raised in a family with a history of PKD, many members of it died young because of the disease, my mother among them. I’ve grown up hearing my father saying (he’s a doctor) that, with PKD, visiting the nephrologist meant receiving bad news each time.
I have rigorously done this diet for two months now and my labs showed a steady improvement of my eGFR and my creatinine levels, making me the first family member with PKD to improve his kidney function ever, something unheard of.

The RISE Program has been completely worthwhile and beneficial for me. This team has managed to combine their wealth of knowledge and experience into a well planned, comprehensive program that has been both educational and effective.
In just 12 weeks, the lab results for my kidneys have improved, I’ve lost 11 pounds to reach my ideal weight, and have become aware of and able to change my habits and my diet for the better.

Additionally, I am left with strategies and tools to maintain and adapt to my lifestyle moving forward. I absolutely could not have done this on my own!

I think the RISE program is extremely beneficial for anyone with PKD. This program goes far beyond just a ketogenic approach, has changed my eating habits and made these lifestyle changes feel sustainable long term. The RISE program breaks down the diet and health changes into manageable steps while giving us all the information and science behind their recommendations.
Overall eating a plant-based keto diet that is lower protein has left me feeling better and given me hope that I am doing everything in my control to tackle my PKD.

I saw my first downward trend in creatinine (and improvement in GFR) in 5 years and I feel so much more excited for the future!

At times, living with a chronic condition made me feel helpless and out of control of my disease progression. The RISE program helped me regain some of the control over PKD I feel I’ve lost over time.
Watching my numbers improve and understanding why that was happening provided me with a great sense of empowerment over the disease.

The RISE program gave me the tools I needed to make and monitor the changes which is a big incentive to continuing the program on my own.

The RISE program has been beneficial to my kidney and overall health because of the weekly PKD modules. I loved learning how certain foods hurt your kidneys and liked it even more when I learned about foods that are beneficial to kidney health.
The RISE Team was very deliberate with which modules were taught during the course. I also appreciated that they were flexible with the modules when more questions were being asked about a certain topic. I truly appreciate they were able to meet our needs, not necessarily their own.

The entire RISE program, Dietitian and supporting staff, are nothing short of amazing.
As a renal dietitian with PKD myself, I wondered what could I really learn? Boy, was I wrong! When it comes to oneself and your health, you are not always objective and/or realistic.

The guidance, education and support that I received from the entire RISE program has definitely opened my eyes to not only what I was doing to fuel my disease, but more importantly what I could be doing in my diet, to fight my disease.

I am very thankful to the RISE dietitians and staff for gifting me with tools to feel like I am back in the drivers seat with my PKD and giving my the feeling of being a lot more in control of my destiny with PKD and overall health.

The RISE Program provided a great deal of information explaining how certain ways of eating can improve the health of our PKD Kidneys. The mindfulness exercises were helpful in relieving stress and making changing my diet easier. After the first six weeks, when I got out of ketosis, I was able to get back into it within a day.
I feel like I have the tools and mindset to choose better foods from now on, knowing that my choices will help my kidneys continue to function longer. That feels great!

Thank you to all the contributors to the program for the appealing materials and classes. Thank you to all the class members for sharing your thoughts and recipes.

As soon as the class started, I knew this was exactly what I had been looking for. It felt like we had direction, insight, training, enthusiasm, and a place we could ask a lot of questions. The food chart and meal plans were amazing, and I am not sure I could have done it without those tools. I love hearing others ask the same questions I have each week and knowing I am not alone in this journey.
I only wish my dad and brother would have had this direction and these resources available, but I am glad that I get to pass these things on to my kids who also have PKD. It gives hope that their future might not be medication and dialysis.

I am so incredibly grateful to the entire RISE team who have put everything together in a way that I can actually put it into practice. My deepest thanks to all of you!!

The RISE Nutrition for PKD program helped me to put entire puzzle together.
I needed more knowledge how to plan and make nutritional and healthy meals, and keto friendly menu. I was lost on my own. Now I have lost 6-8 lbs and I feel confident. I am eating food so I can support my body.

Plus, my wife (she does not have PKD) have had GI problems for the last 20 years. Trying out the program herself greatly improved her GI health.

Thank you all. RISE team created the 12 weeks program with so much love and believe, so I wish you all the best.

Before joining the program, I was encountering daily flank pain, and fatigue. I was on the verge of a breakdown, and was desperate for something to help me slow this disease down.
Now I have a new outlook on life, I feel empowered that the food I consume is going to help heal my body, and I am so grateful for the program.

My kidney function has improved and I look forward to the day the doctors tell me my kidney volume has reduced. Thank you Kidney Nutrition Institute, you are truly saving peoples lives.

This program is definitely worth doing.
Blood tests don’t lie. I have had improvement in my GFR. The weekly meetings were my favorite and I gained so much information from them and the conversations with others in the group.

It has been an amazing experience and definitely a change of life for the better.