Cardiovascular Health, Cardiovascular Risk Factor
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will test whether potassium supplementation can reduce the deleterious effect of a high sodium diet on blood vessel function, blood pressure reactivity and autonomic nervous system function in apparently healthy adults.
Detailed description
Excess sodium intake is linked to poor blood pressure (BP) regulation and endothelial dysfunction, both of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and high BP. Evidence suggests potassium may offset the damaging effects of sodium; however, studies in healthy adults are lacking. This is important as these pre-clinical risk factors have been observed in this population, suggesting early intervention may be critical for cardiovascular disease prevention. High potassium diets have been effective at attenuating a sodium-induced decline in endothelial function. However, potassium intake was increased using whole foods; thus, the vascular benefits cannot be attributed solely to potassium. Furthermore, whether potassium can reduce sodium-induced oxidative stress is unknown. The central hypothesis of this study is that endothelial function will be greater and BP reactivity and oxidative stress will be lower with a high potassium intake compared to a low potassium intake, in the context of a high sodium diet. The investigators will assess macrovascular function using flow-mediated dilation, BP reactivity using the cold pressor test and isometric handgrip grip test, and oxidative stress using electron paramagnetic resonance.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPotassium chloride supplement
Subjects will receive 64 mmol of KCl on the high potassium/high sodium condition.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
Subjects will receive a placebo capsule on the moderate potassium/low sodium diet and the moderate potassium/high sodium diet
Sponsors
University of Delaware
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Participants will be blinded to the diet they are on.
Intervention model description
All participants will complete all arms in a randomized, crossover design.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* men and women * 18-45 years of age * all races/ethnicities * BMI \< 30 kg/m2 * BP \< 130/80 mmHg
Exclusion criteria
* presence of hypertension * known heart disease * diabetes * kidney disease * cancer * inflammatory conditions * blood clotting disorders * pregnancy * adrenal gland disorder * history of stomach or intestinal bleeding * history of kidney stones * serum potassium outside of the normal range
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Conduit artery endothelial dependent dilation | on day 10 of each diet | The difference in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) between the 3 diets |
| Blood pressure reactivity | on day 10 of each diet | The change in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during handgrip exercise and cold pressor test from baseline |
| Superoxide levels | on day 10 of each diet | The difference in superoxide levels as measured by electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) between the 3 diets will be assessed |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed