Dietary Potassium May Help Prevent Kidney, Heart Problems In Diabetics

Dietary potassium may help prevent kidney and heart problems in diabetics, according to a recent study.

As it stands, individuals with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing kidney failure and heart disease. To determine the level of risk, researchers studied a group of 623 patients with type 2 diabetes and normal kidney function enrolled between 1996 and 2003. They were then followed-up with until 2013.

Study results showed that higher levels of urinary potassium excretion--which closely correlates with intake amounts--were linked to a slower decline of kidney function and a lower incidence of cardiovascular complications, as well. However, kidney or heart health examined during the follow-up period were not associated with sodium levels, researchers say. 

"For many individuals with diabetes, the most challenging part of a treatment plan is to determine what to eat," said Shin-ichi Araki, MD, PhD Shiga University of Medical Science, in Japan, in a news release. "The results in our study highlight the importance of a diet high in in diabetes nutrition therapy."

The study will appear in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

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