Could a Potassium-Rich Diet Prevent Kidney Disease?
Diets high in potassium could decrease the risk of a decline in renal function and cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
Previous research has indicated that potassium can aid in the prevention of hypertension and stroke, although its effects on end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular disease are less well defined.
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To further explore this relationship, researchers conducted a study of 623 patients with type 2 diabetes, none of which had a history of cardiovascular disease or were currently using diuretics. Participants were observed between 1996 and 2003, with follow-up conducted through 2013.
Researchers measured excretion of potassium and sodium through urine sampling to get a picture of the amount of both elements participants were consuming regularly.
During follow-up, 134 adverse cardiovascular or renal events occurred. Overall, higher urinary potassium was associated with a lower risk of adverse events. Urinary sodium was not associated with lower risk.
“Higher urinary potassium excretion was associated with the slower decline of renal function and the lower incidence of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients with normal renal function,” they concluded. “Interventional trials are necessary to determine whether increasing dietary potassium is beneficial.”
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Araki S, Haneda M, Koya D, et al. Urinary potassium excretion and renal and cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes and normal renal function. CJASN. November 2015 [epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.2215/CJN.00980115.