Recruiting

Does eating more fruits and vegetables affect kidney disease patients' potassium levels?

Plain-English translation of NCT05090865 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated January 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether people with chronic kidney disease can safely eat more potassium-rich fruits and vegetables without causing dangerously high potassium levels in their blood. Right now, doctors typically tell kidney disease patients to avoid potassium, but this study wants to find out if that strict restriction is really necessary. The trial will provide participants with different amounts of fruits and vegetables over 16 weeks to see how their blood potassium responds.

Many kidney disease patients are told to strictly limit potassium in their diet to prevent a dangerous condition called hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood). However, this recommendation is based on weak evidence, and the strict restrictions can hurt patients' quality of life and nutrition. This trial will provide solid scientific evidence to help doctors give better, safer dietary advice.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at a moderate stage (kidney function between 15–45% of normal)
your blood potassium level is between 4.5 and 5.5 mEq/L (slightly elevated but not dangerously high)
you are registered with a nephrology (kidney) clinic in Winnipeg
you can read and speak English and are able to give informed consent

You likely don't qualify if…

you have very high blood potassium levels (above 5.6 mEq/L) or are already on dialysis
you have severe heart failure symptoms or have had a recent heart attack or stroke (within 6 months)
you are currently taking potassium-binding medications or supplements
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have serious difficulty swallowing or digesting food
you have severe uncontrolled medical conditions that your doctor thinks would make study participation unsafe

What participation looks like

You will participate for 16 weeks total. The trial uses a crossover design, meaning you'll try both a high-potassium diet and a low-potassium diet, but the order is randomly chosen. For 6 weeks, you'll receive weekly deliveries of either potassium-rich or potassium-poor fruits and vegetables, along with one 30–60 minute counseling session with a dietitian (in person or by video) to learn how to prepare and eat them. Then there's a 2-week break, and you'll switch to the opposite diet for another 6 weeks. Your blood potassium will be checked throughout to see how the diet changes affect your levels.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 14, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

Canada

Seven Oaks General Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba