Rethinking potassium: a looser diet for dialysis patients?
NCT ID NCT07772856
First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether people on hemodialysis can safely eat a diet that includes more potassium-rich whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts, instead of the usual strict low-potassium diet. Half of the 148 participants will follow this 'liberalized' diet for 12 weeks, with dietitian support and grocery help, while the other half continues standard care. Researchers will closely monitor blood potassium levels to ensure safety and also check if the flexible diet improves diet quality and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A liberalized potassium diet that encourages minimally processed foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains) while limiting processed foods with potassium additives, supported by dietitian counseling and grocery assistance for 12 weeks.
- What this could lead to
- If safe, this approach could ease strict food restrictions, improve diet quality, and enhance quality of life for people on hemodialysis, without raising blood potassium levels.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is relatively small and short-term, and the main risk is that a more liberal diet might increase blood potassium to dangerous levels, so safety monitoring is critical.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto)
Toronto, Ontario, M5B1W8, Canada
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