New chronic kidney disease research taking place at U of M

In an effort to see how people with chronic kidney disease respond to high versus low-potassium fruits and veggies, researchers at the University of Manitoba have started a one-of-a-kind trial.

“We tell people who are very sick to remove things that are rich in potassium from their diet and if they don’t need to do that, it would make their lives much easier,” Dylan MacKay, an assistant professor of nutrition and chronic disease at the University of Manitoba.

MacKay says they are looking to recruit 30 people living with chronic kidney disease for the trial. 

“We’re delivering fruits and vegetables to those individuals to look at if the level of potassium in the fruits and vegetables is making meaningful differences in the levels of those participants and seeing if we need to tell them to restrict and how important those guidelines are for certain people with chronic kidney disease.” 

The trial is funded by the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and is based in Winnipeg, taking place at both HSC and Seven Oaks General Hospital. The fruits and vegetables for the trial are being supplied by Food Fare Owner Munther Zeid.

“They send us a list of products that they want to send out to their patients. We put it together and ship it out to them,” said Zeid. 

Zeid says a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as bananas and carrots, are being used for the trial. He says this trial hits home for him.

“My wife was faced with kidney disease and her kidneys failed right at the beginning of COVID-19, 2020. She was on dialysis for almost four years, three-and-a-half years, and she had a kidney transplant, but we had it done out of country.” 

More than 1 in 10 Canadians have chronic kidney disease and the rates continue to rise, especially in Manitoba. Zeid hopes he can help make a difference.

“Don’t wait until it hits home before you get involved.” 

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