(17-12-06) Testing for potassium and diet quality

By Alex Cukan

A urine test that monitors potassium may enable physicians to help improve their patients' overall diet quality, find U.S. researchers.
Andrew Mentem of Prosserman Center for Health Research in Toronto recently examined the use of urinary potassium as an alternative, clinically valid marker because foods promoted by current dietary guidelines are good sources of potassium.
Evidence indicates a diet high in potassium reduces the risk of developing a broad range of health problems, according to Mentem.
The researchers found that as urinary potassium increased, there was a steady and significant increase in diet quality score and the consumption of foods recommended by current dietary guidelines, as well as a steady decrease in body mass index, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate.
"These findings suggest, for the first time, that the amount of potassium in the urine is a valid, objective indicator of diet quality," says Mentem. "This urinary marker is a simple, objective, universally available measure of diet quality that may aid physicians in providing effective dietary counseling."
The findings were presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 39th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego.

Source: AJCN

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