How potassium-rich diets could protect diabetic patients’ kidneys, by researchers

DIABETES patients are at risk for a wide variety

of negative health outcomes during the

progression of their disease. One such area of

concern is kidney function. New research hopes

to spark further investigation into ways to tackle

these disorders with dietary potassium.

New research shows a potential protective role of

potassium on kidney function.

Diabetes is a growing problem. The Diabetes

Association of Nigeria (DAN) estimates that 10 per

cent of Nigerians that is about 17 million people

have diabetes while the United States Center for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate

there are 29.1 million diabetics in America

Worryingly, the CDC also predict that this

number will double or triple over the next few

decades. If that forecast is correct, between one

in three and 1 in five Americans may be diabetic

by 2050.

Although obesity is known to be a major factor,

the search is on for other dietary risk factors that

might be easier to correct.

Controlling diet in diabetes is an essential part of

the treatment plan, and low-sodium and reduced-

calorie diets are the most commonly

recommended.

The standard diet that clinicians advise for

diabetics is essentially a healthy, well-balanced

diet with an extra focus on reducing salt.

Renal and cardiovascular problems in diabetes

Type 2 diabetes significantly increases an

individual’s chance of end-stage renal disease

(ESRD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Hyperglycemia (excess blood glucose),

hypertension (high blood pressure) and

dyslipidemia (excess lipids in the blood) are well-

known risk factors for both ESRD and CVD.

In the general population, potassium is

recognized as a means to prevent hypertension

and stroke. However, its effects on ESRD and CVD

onset are not well investigated, especially within

a diabetic population with healthy cardiovascular

and kidney function.

The role of potassium

Potassium is a vital mineral involved in the

normal functioning of all the cells, tissues and

organs of the body. Along with sodium, chloride,

calcium and magnesium, potassium is a charged

particle referred to as an electrolyte.

Potassium helps conduct nerve impulses, regulate

the rhythm of the heart and control muscle

contraction. It also plays a part in maintaining

bone health and fluid balance.

One of the kidney’s many roles is to ensure that

potassium is maintained at the correct levels. Too

much or too little can be equally troublesome.

Research conducted by Dr. Shin-ichi Araki, at

Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan,

hopes to open new avenues of investigation into

the relationship between dietary potassium and

negative health consequences in diabetic patients.

Diet in diabetes

Dr. Araki’s research, published in the Clinical

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology,

claims that diets rich in potassium may help

protect the heart and kidney health of patients

with type 2 diabetes.

The trial involved 623 Japanese type 2 diabetics,

none of whom were currently using diuretic

medicines or had any history of CVD. The

patients were enrolled between 1996 and 2003

with a median follow-up period of 11 years.

This long-term study measured potassium and

sodium excretion through urine sampling. The

amount of these elements excreted in urine is an

accurate indicator of the amount consumed.

The results showed that higher levels of

potassium in the participants’ urine indicated a

lower risk of renal dysfunction and

cardiovascular problems. Sodium excretion, on

the other hand, showed no correlation.

The authors agree with recommendations to

restrict energy intake, as is standard practice

with diabetic patients, but Dr. Araki warns that a

low-calorie, low-sodium diet may also be

deficient in potassium.

He is well aware of the difficulties surrounding a

diabetic’s dietary choices: “For many individuals

with diabetes, the most challenging part of a

treatment plan is to determine what to eat.”

Araki believes that raising potassium in diabetes

diet plans might prevent ESRD and CVD from

developing in individuals, or at least slow its

advance.

These results are in line with other recent

research that has linked higher dietary potassium

intake with lower incidence of kidney

dysfunction and CVD in non-diabetic patients.

Araki warns, however, that the present study is

not conclusive evidence of potassium’s protective

effects on diabetic kidneys. The aim of the study

was to spur on further investigation into novel

targets for future dietary recommendations, and

in that regard, the trial was a success.

It is also worth noting that hyperkalemia –

elevated levels of potassium in the blood – is a

dangerous condition that affects some diabetics.

Medical News Today recently reported on a new

drug that might help improve potassium levels in

diabetic kidneys.

*Adapted from article written by Tim Newman

for Medical News Today