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Belly Fat and Kidney Health:The Hidden Connection

Belly fat and kidney health are connected in ways most people never consider. If you've been struggling with stubborn abdominal fat despite dieting and exercise, your kidneys may be part of the problem. As a nephrologist and obesity medicine specialist, I see this pattern regularly: patients doing everything "right" but unable to lose visceral fat because their kidneys are trapped in a cycle that keeps insulin elevated and their body locked in fat storage mode.

Sean Hashmi, MD

Dec 18, 20255 min read

Coffee and Diabetes: What the Research Actually Shows

Key Takeaways Each daily cup of coffee is linked to approximately 6% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with 2-4 cups showing 20-30% lower risk compared to non-drinkers. Coffee protects the liver, with regular drinkers showing 20-30% lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and reduced liver fibrosis. The benefits apply to both regular and decaffeinated coffee, but added sugars and syrups can completely negate these protective effects. Overview The Diabetes Conn

Metabolic Health

Sean Hashmi, MD

Dec 17, 20255 min read

Coffee and Chronic Kidney Disease: Evidence-Based Guide (2025)

Is coffee safe for your kidneys? New research on coffee and chronic kidney disease challenges what many people have been told for years. A growing body of evidence suggests that moderate coffee intake may actually protect kidney function — not harm it. As a board-certified nephrologist, I've watched the science evolve significantly since I first covered this topic four years ago. Several major studies have since emerged with larger data sets, genetic insights, and clearer pro

Kidney Health & CKD Management

Sean Hashmi, MD

Dec 11, 20254 min read

Pig Kidney Transplants in 2025: What the Six-Month Milestone Means

For decades, the transplant community has asked a single question: can a pig kidney keep a human alive long enough to matter? In 2025, we finally got an answer. Multiple patients in the United States and China survived more than six months with gene-edited pig kidneys functioning inside them — crossing a threshold that changes how we think about xenotransplantation and the future of kidney failure treatment. Key Takeaways Multiple humans have now lived more than six months wi

Kidney Health & CKD Management

Sean Hashmi, MD

Dec 9, 20254 min read

IgA Nephropathy Treatment: 5 Steps to Protect Your Kidneys

Board-certified nephrologist shares the exact 5-step action plan for IgA Nephropathy treatment based on KDIGO guidelines and clinical trials.

Kidney Health & CKD Management

Sean Hashmi, MD

Dec 4, 20255 min read

IgA Nephropathy Diet: What to Eat to Protect Your Kidneys

The right IgA nephropathy diet can reduce your proteinuria by 30%—without changing a single medication. Yet most patients have never been told what to eat. Here's the same kidney-friendly eating strategy I give every patient in my practice. Key Takeaways Sodium restriction to less than 2 grams per day is the single most impactful dietary change for IgA nephropathy patients The kidney-friendly plate (50% non-starchy vegetables, 25% lean protein, 25% whole grains) simplifies me

Sean Hashmi, MD

Dec 4, 20254 min read

IgA Nephropathy Treatment: Complete Guide to Current Options

Learn about IgA nephropathy treatment options including SGLT2 inhibitors, Nefecon, and Sparsentan. Evidence-based guidance from nephrologist Dr. Sean Hashmi

Kidney Health & CKD Management

Sean Hashmi, MD

Nov 28, 20252 min read