Rethinking potassium: a looser diet for dialysis patients?

NCT ID NCT07772856

Disease control Sponsor: University of Ontario Institute of Technology Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 1 time

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 148 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Aug 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Sep 2030

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria 1. Age ≥18 years on maintenance HD \>3 months 2. ≥1 serum potassium concentration \>5.0 mmol/L on routine bloodwork in past 12 months 3. Able to provide consent Exclusion Criteria 1. Treatment with potassium binders within the preceding 7 days 2. Average Urea reduction rate over the past 3 months \<65% 3. \>2 missed scheduled dialysis sessions in the previous month 4. Patients receiving \<3 hemodialysis sessions per week (ex/ incremental dialysis) 5. Average serum potassium concentration \>6.0 mmol/L over the past 3 months 6. Swallowing difficulties or other GI issues preventing adequate intake 7. Residing in an institutional setting (e.g., Long-term care homes) where meals are provided 8. HbA1c \>11% 9. Unable to comply with study procedures due to cognitive impairment, language barrier or for any additional reason specified by the attending clinician

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic kidney disease end stage renal failure Hyperkalemia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Diet intervention End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) Hemodialysis Hyperkalemia Potassium bioavailability

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Rethinking potassium: a looser diet for dialysis patients?

What the study statuses mean