Effects of Minimally vs. Ultra-Processed Diets on Potassium (K) Handling in CKD (NCT06920914) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Minimally vs. Ultra-Processed Diets on Potassium (K) Handling in CKD
48 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
What is this study about?
This clinical trial is designed to learn how potassium from different types of food affects blood potassium levels and overall health in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD, stages 3B-5).
People with CKD are often advised to avoid potassium-rich foods, even though fresh fruits and vegetables are important for good health. However, potassium in processed foods (such as packaged snacks and ready-made meals) may be absorbed differently than potassium from fresh foods.
This study will compare minimally processed vs. ultra-processed foods to determine how different sources of potassium affect potassium levels and help create better dietary recommendations for people with CKD.
What are the study goals?
The study will answer:
* Does potassium from fresh foods (like fruits and vegetables) affect blood potassium differently than potassium from processed foods?
* How does dietary potassium impact potassium absorption and excretion in people with CKD?
Researchers will compare the effects of four diets to understand how low and normal-potassium rich diets from fresh vs. processed foods influence:
* Blood potassium levels
* Body composition (muscle, fat, and fluid balance)
* Vascular health
What will participants do?
Participants will follow four different 10-day diets over the course of the study. All food will be provided at no cost. These diets are:
* Minimally processed with low-potassium content
* Minimally processed with normal potassium content
* Ultra-processed with with low-potassium content
* Ultra-processed with normal potassium content
There will be 16-day breaks (washout period) between diets where participants return to their normal eating habits.
During the study, participants will:
* Pick up prepared meals from the research center approximately 3 times per week.
* Attend checkups for weight, blood pressure, and blood tests.
* Provide urine samples to track potassium levels.
* Wear a comfortable, cuff-free blood pressure monitor at home.
* Keep a study journal to track diet, medications, and symptoms.
* Complete questionnaires about diet satisfaction and health changes.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Participants aged ≥18 years living with stage 3B-5 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 15 mL/min/1.73m2) on conservative kidney management (not on dialysis).
* Able and willing to follow a controlled feeding regimen, attend in-person visits, provide informed consent, and comply with study procedures.
Exclusion Criteria:
General
* Pregnant or lactating women.
* Transitioning transgender individuals.
* Individuals with strict dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarians, vegans) or allergies/intolerance that would preclude participation in the diet phases.
Kidney Function
* Foreseen start of renal replacement therapy within the next 6 months.
* Acute kidney injury in the past 3 months.
* 2-year Kidney Failure Risk Equation \> 40%.
* Preemptive kidney transplant planned within the next 6 months.
* History of kidney transplant.
* Active glomerulonephritis. Comorbidities
* Acute myocardial infarction or stroke within the past 6 months.
* Active cancer.
* Ileostomy, short bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
* Body mass index \< 18.5 or ≥ 35.
* New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure.
* History of ventricular arrhythmia.
* Major surgery within the past 3 months.
* Active autoimmune disease.
* Glycated hemoglobin \> 10% within the past 3 months.
* Gastroparesis.
* Chronic nausea and vomiting.
* Intensive care unit admission within the past 3 months.
* Significant psychiatric disease.
* Uncontrolled blood pressure (ab…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.