A program to improve kidney health through better eating habits

"Kidney Health: Eat Well, Live Well": A Program to Reduce Kidney Injury and Early CKD Progression Through Nutrition & Empathetic Support From a Health Partner

Not applicable Interventional University of Texas at Austin · NCT05970341

This study is testing a program that helps low-income adults with early kidney disease improve their eating habits and overall health by providing healthy food, recipes, and support for six months.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment330 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Texas at Austin Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsimmunotherapy
Locations3 sites (Houston, Texas and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05970341 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates a community-based program designed to help low-income adults with early chronic kidney disease improve their diet and reduce the risk of kidney injury and cardiovascular issues. Participants will receive a variety of kidney-friendly produce delivered to their homes, along with recipes, grocery store gift cards, and personalized support from a dedicated health partner. The program aims to enhance dietary habits, mental health, and overall well-being over a 6-month period. The effectiveness of this intervention will be compared to standard educational materials and usual care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are low-income adults aged 18 and older with early-stage chronic kidney disease who have access to the participating clinics.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease or those currently on kidney replacement therapies may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve kidney health and quality of life for patients with early chronic kidney disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with community-based dietary interventions for chronic diseases, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (18 years of age or older)
* Primary care visit at either one of the three partner clinics from Harris Health \[Smith Clinic, Harris Health Outpatient Center (located on the LBJ campus), or Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center (MLK)\] and a primary care patient within Harris Health System
* Have had at least 1 visit in the past 18 months with prior history in the clinic (i.e., not first visit)
* Diagnosis of CKD (Stage 2, 3a, and 3b) as defined by estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) ≥ 30 and \<90 mL/min/1.73 m2 OR CDK 1 or undiagnosed with urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio ≥ 30 mg/g
* Within the past 12 months, the most current serum K+ ≤ 4.6 mEq/L
* English or Spanish speaking
* Ability to participate in the program at least 6 months
* Ability to clean, prepare, refrigerate/freeze food products that are given to them
* Have access to receive SMS text messages
* Location of preferred produce bag delivery within an available delivery zone

Exclusion Criteria:

* CKD 4, ESRD or on dialysis.
* Taking certain medications chronically (more than twice a week for 90 days) that may interfere with K+ metabolism (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as self-reported during enrollment screening
* Taking mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists
* Taking Warfarin
* Diagnosis of any specific kidney conditions (such as polycystic kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, Lupus associated with Nephritis, Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV)) that would contraindicate study participation as determined by physician
* Medical history of organ transplant that would contraindicate study participation as determined by physician
* Received immunotherapy for primary or secondary kidney disease within 6 months prior to enrolment
* Diagnostic of heart failure conditions Class IV in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification
* Had myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within 12 weeks prior to enrolment
* Had coronary revascularization (PCI, CABG) or valvular repair within 12 weeks prior to enrolment
* On active hospice care as self-reported during enrollment screening
* Diagnosis of active malignancy requiring treatment that would contraindicate study participation as determined by physician
* Has decompensated cirrhosis as determined by physician
* Cognitive impairment that would contraindicate study participation as self-reported during enrollment screening

Where this trial is running

Houston, Texas and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Kidney Diseasesphone callsTelehealthFruits and vegetablesProduceHome deliverygrocery vouchersgift cards
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.