Plant-Focused Eating for Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Plant-Focused Nutrition in Patients with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease (PLAFOND Study): A Pilot/Feasibility Study

NIH-funded research Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11160524

This research explores if a plant-focused eating plan can help people with both diabetes and chronic kidney disease manage their health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Torrance, United States)
Project IDNIH-11160524 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many people with diabetes also have chronic kidney disease, and it's not always clear what the best diet is for them. While some diets recommend low-carbohydrate and low-fat for diabetes, others suggest low-protein, plant-based meals for kidney disease. This project aims to understand if a plant-focused diet can safely and effectively support kidney health without negatively impacting diabetes management. We want to see if this approach can slow down kidney disease progression and improve overall well-being.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who have both diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Not a fit: Patients without both diabetes and chronic kidney disease may not directly benefit from this specific dietary intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide clearer dietary guidance for patients with both diabetes and chronic kidney disease, potentially slowing disease progression.

How similar studies have performed: There is ongoing debate and conflicting guidelines regarding dietary protein intake in CKD/DM, making this a novel exploration of plant-based diets in this specific patient group.

Where this research is happening

Torrance, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.