Dietary Potassium/Sodium Balance for Cardiovascular Health

Overseen By Shannon L Lennon, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Delaware

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

90 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Americans continue to consume high amounts of sodium. Potassium is notable for its blood pressure lowering effects but less is known regarding its effect on the vasculature. This investigation seeks to determine the role of dietary potassium on the vasculature in the presence of a high sodium diet in salt-resistant adults.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you take medications for conditions like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment High Potassium/High Sodium Diet, Moderate Potassium/High Sodium Diet, Moderate Potassium/Low Sodium Diet for cardiovascular health?

Research suggests that a diet with a better balance of potassium and sodium can improve heart health. High potassium intake is linked to better cardiovascular outcomes, and reducing sodium while increasing potassium can lower blood pressure, a key factor in heart disease. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is a diet with high potassium and low sodium safe for humans?

Research shows that a diet high in potassium and low in sodium is generally safe and can help lower blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health. Studies suggest that this type of diet may prevent strokes and reduce the risk of heart disease without significant safety concerns. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

How does the dietary potassium/sodium balance treatment for cardiovascular health differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on adjusting the balance of dietary potassium and sodium, rather than just reducing sodium intake alone. Studies suggest that a better sodium-to-potassium ratio can more effectively improve cardiovascular outcomes and lower blood pressure compared to altering either nutrient individually. ^{4 5 8 9 10}

Research Team

Shannon L Lennon, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Delaware

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy adults with normal blood pressure and ECG who aren't on medication, not endurance athletes, non-smokers, not pregnant or obese (BMI under 30), without diabetes, kidney disease, special diets (like gluten-free or vegan), hypertension or heart disease history.

Inclusion Criteria

My blood pressure is within the normal range.

You are in good health with no underlying medical conditions.

normal resting ECG

Exclusion Criteria

I have kidney disease.

My BMI is 30 or higher.

You are currently pregnant.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Dietary Intervention

Participants are provided with specific diets varying in potassium and sodium levels to assess vascular effects

10 days

2 visits (in-person) on day 7 and day 10

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after dietary intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• High Potassium/High Sodium Diet
• Moderate Potassium/High Sodium Diet
• Moderate Potassium/Low Sodium Diet

Trial Overview The study tests the effects of different diets on blood vessels: one diet has moderate potassium/low sodium; another has moderate potassium/high sodium; and a third has high potassium/high sodium. It aims to see how dietary potassium affects people's vasculature when they consume a lot of salt.

Participant Groups

Group I: Moderate Potassium/Low Sodium Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will be provided with a diet that is moderate in potassium and low in sodium.

Group II: Moderate Potassium/High Sodium Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will be provided with a diet that is moderate in potassium and high in sodium.

Group III: High Potassium/High Sodium Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will be provided with a diet that is high in both potassium and sodium.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Delaware

Lead Sponsor

Trials

167

Recruited

25,700+

Findings from Research

In a study of 108 participants, reducing dietary sodium intake from 140 to 60 mmol/d while maintaining a high potassium diet led to a significant decrease in home systolic blood pressure by 2.5 mm Hg, indicating that lower sodium can effectively help manage blood pressure.

The study demonstrated that a low sodium diet (50 mmol/d) combined with high potassium intake (over 80 mmol/d) not only reduced urinary sodium levels but also increased urinary potassium, suggesting that this dietary approach could be beneficial for blood pressure control in the general population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decreasing dietary sodium while following a self-selected potassium-rich diet reduces blood pressure. Nowson, CA., Morgan, TO., Gibbons, C.[2018]

High sodium and low potassium intake in industrialized countries is linked to increased rates of hypertension, highlighting the importance of dietary balance.

Increasing potassium intake can help lower blood pressure, especially in individuals with high sodium consumption or salt sensitivity, suggesting that dietary recommendations should focus on both sodium reduction and potassium enhancement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Potassium and blood pressure, an old story, revisited]. Zisimopoulou, S., Pechère-Bertschi, A., Burnier, M.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can these salt substitutes prevent complications of hypertension? [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lack of effectiveness of a low-sodium/high-potassium diet in reducing antihypertensive medication requirements in overweight persons with mild hypertension. TAIM Research Group. Trial of Antihypertensive Interventions and Management. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relations between dietary sodium and potassium intakes and mortality from cardiovascular disease: the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risks. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potassium in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. [2013]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decreasing dietary sodium while following a self-selected potassium-rich diet reduces blood pressure. [2018]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective effects of dietary potassium chloride on hemodynamics of Dahl salt-sensitive rats in response to chronic administration of sodium chloride. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potassium supplementation induces beneficial cardiovascular changes during rest and stress in salt sensitive individuals. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of dietary potassium on blood pressure, renal function, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and forearm vascular resistance and flow in normotensive and borderline hypertensive humans. [2019]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Potassium and blood pressure, an old story, revisited]. [2018]

10. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of moderate low sodium/high potassium diet on essential hypertension: results of a comparative study. [2013]