Potassium intake, fibroblast growth factor 23 and clinical outcomes

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Characteristic of some patients with CKD is, among other things, a tendence to develop high levels of phosphate and fibroblast growth factor (FGF23) in the blood, which is linked to deterioration of health. Dietary interventions can provide significant health benefits and can aid in the management of CKD. Potassium in particular, which is rich in fruit and vegetable products and which has a blood pressure lowering effect, could be a good option. Furthermore, there are indications that potassium also has beneficial effects on phosphate metabolism.

In the first part of his thesis, Yeung investigated the relationship between 24-hour urinary potassium excretion, an indirect measure of potassium intake, and FGF23 with cardiovascular disease, hypertension and premature death in healthy individuals, and different groups of patients. For example, it was found that a low potassium intake or elevated FGF23 blood levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and premature death. What was striking was that people with a high potassium intake also have low FGF23 blood levels.

Therefore, in the second part, it was investigated whether potassium supplementation leads to a decrease in FGF23 blood levels. In studies with healthy individuals and patients with CKD, potassium supplementation led to a small but significant decrease in FGF23 blood levels. With this result, further investigation should follow to observe whether lowering FGF23 blood levels through increased potassium intake can improve long-term health outcomes.