Managing Hyperkalemia: Another Benefit of Exercise in People With Chronic Kidney Disease?

Hyperkalemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis: Its pathophysiology and management

“…Multiple ion channels and transporters are present in the eccrine sweat glands, and a few studies have suggested that the sweat electrolyte composition, including potassium concentration, can be altered in advanced CKD patients [ 43 , 44 ]. The potential benefit of exercised‐induced diaphoresis in ESKD patients as an adjunct treatment has also been discussed [ 45 , 46 ].…”

“…These studies suggest that hyperkalemia and intracellular potassium deficiency can coexist in a subpopulation of MHD patients. Factors that influence intracellular potassium storage, such as DM, acid/base disorders, and reduced muscle mass, may contribute to the disturbance [ 5 , 46 , 50 ].…”

Exercise and Cardiovascular Disease

“…Exercise also exerts an important ameliorating effect on major cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, 97 obesity, 98 diabetes mellitus, 99 hyperlipidemia, 100 metabolic syndrome, 101 alcohol abuse, 102 chronic kidney disease, 103 psychosomatic stress, 104 and depression. 105 Besides the significant benefits in CVD and CVD risk factors, physical exercise also plays a therapeutic role in several non-cardiovascular disorders, including chronic back pain, 106 osteoporosis, 107 several cancers, 108 constipation, 109 anxiety, 110 dementia, 111 inflammatory bowel disease, 112 gall bladder disease, 113 osteoarthritis, 114 rheumatoid arthritis, 115 Parkinson's disease, 116 and multiple sclerosis.…”

Precision Nutrition and Personalized Diet Plan for Kidney Health and Kidney Disease Management

“…14 Global kidney health approaches need to be more effectively realigned with the implementation of the principles of precision nutrition including individualized treatment goals across different patients with different phenotypic and genotypic constellations and linking diet and nutrition to the microbiome and environment, as opposed to the traditional onesize-fits-all approach of contemporary renal nutrition. 15,16 In this issue of the journal, Brennan et al 17 review the role of alterations in taste among persons with CKD and examine the extent and content of prior research around this important but underappreciated nutritional symptom in CKD. Considering Precision Nutrition-based approaches, correcting taste problems is an important goal in the nutritional management of patients with CKD because taste disturbances may interfere with targeted meal plans.…”

“…In another article of this issue of the journal, St-Jules et al. 18 discuss that regular exercise may affect potassium balance favorably in people with CKD. Hence, it is possible, although not yet proven, that exercise may provide additional management options for potassium burden, so that individuals with more physical activity can enjoy even higher intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be considered a personalized diet adjustment in alignment with the principles of Precision Nutrition.…”