Serum potassium changes with initiating low-carbohydrate compared to a low-fat weight loss diet in type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the change in potassium after initiating a low-carbohydrate or low-fat weight loss diet.


METHODS
Participants randomized to a low-carbohydrate (low-CHO) or a low-fat diet had serum potassium measured at baseline, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after dietary initiation. Paired t tests and repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared changes within each subject and between groups.


RESULTS
Mean potassium (4.29 mmol/L + 0.41) was similar in both groups at baseline. The low-CHO arm (n = 48) had a mean decrease of 0.16 mmol/L +/- 0.49 (P = 0.03) over one month, and the low-fat arm (n = 47) had a reduction of 0.19 +/- 0.45 (P = 0.006). Serum potassium decreased within 3 days of diet initiation in the low-CHO arm, and at one week in the low-fat arm. Five participants (3 in low-CHO arm) required potassium supplementation for serum potassium <3.5 mmol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
Minor decreases in potassium occurred after initiating both diets, and was more rapid after the low-CHO diet. These decreases may be clinically meaningful in some patients.
Davis
Nichola J
NJ
Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. ndavis@montefiore.org
Cohen
Hillel W
HW
Wylie-Rosett
Judith
J
Stein
Daniel
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D015431:Weight Loss
D011188:Potassium