Potassium additives may make low-sodium meats unsafe for patients with kidney disease

(Press-News.org) Philadelphia, PA (November 15, 2014) -- Potassium additives are frequently added to sodium-reduced meat products in amounts that may be dangerous for patients with kidney disease, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11¬-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Sodium-reduced foods are becoming increasingly available to consumers; however food manufacturers may use phosphate and potassium additives to replace the functional and flavor properties of sodium. Because individuals with kidney dysfunction must maintain diets low in phosphorus and potassium, it's unclear if sodium-reduced foods are safe for patients with kidney disease.

Arti Sharma Parpia, RD (St. Michael's Hospital, in Toronto) and her colleagues analyzed 19 sodium-reduced meat and poultry products from the main grocery store chains in Canada, noting the products' protein, sodium, phosphorus, and potassium content compared with the original meat products that were not low in sodium.

Among the major findings: Sodium-reduced meat and poultry products contained 25% to 55% less sodium than their non-sodium-reduced counterparts. The potassium content of sodium-reduced products ranged from 210 to 1500 mg/100g and was significantly higher than non-sodium-reduced products by 195 mg/100g. Potassium-containing additives were found on the ingredient list in 63% of the sodium-reduced products and 25% of the non-sodium-reduced products. The amounts of phosphorus did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.

Parpia noted that on average, the higher amount of potassium contained in the sodium-reduced meat and poultry products was equivalent to an extra serving of a high-potassium food. "Patients with chronic kidney disease need to be aware of the potential for higher potassium content in sodium-reduced foods, as they are educated to follow a low sodium diet and may inadvertently choose sodium-reduced foods without realizing the risk of an increased potassium load from additives," she said. "This research supports the mandatory inclusion of potassium content on nutrition fact tables, especially on product labels that claim to be reduced in sodium."

INFORMATION:

Study: "Sodium Reduced Meat and Poultry Products Contain a Significant Amount of Potassium from Additives" (Abstract SA-PO219)

Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures. The study was funded by a research grant from the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research.

ASN Kidney Week 2014, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for more than 13,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2014 will take place November 11-16, 2014, in Philadelphia, PA.

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Founded in 1966, and with more than 15,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.