Dietary Acid Load and Metabolic Responses in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Interventional Study

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 3 | 02 | Page :
By

Abrar Ali Rather,

Ibtisam Nazir Khan,

,

Saqlain Mushtaq,

  1. Student, Department of Dialysis Technology, USAHS, RBU, Mohali, Punjab, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Dialysis Technology, USAHS, RBU, Mohali, punjab, India
  3. Head, Department of Dialysis Unit, Lords Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Kulgam, Jammu and kashmir, India

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with metabolic disturbances, including metabolic acidosis, which may contribute to disease progression and nutritional deterioration. Dietary acid load is influenced by the composition of the diet and may affect systemic acid–base balance in patients with impaired renal function. The present study evaluated the effect of a low dietary acid load on biochemical and nutritional outcomes among patients with CKD. A prospective interventional study was conducted among patients with CKD stages 2–4 attending a tertiary care setting. Participants were assessed for demographic characteristics, dietary intake, nutritional status, and biochemical parameters. Dietary assessment was performed using dietary recall and food-frequency information, with dietary acid load estimated using the potential renal acid load (PRAL) approach. Participants receiving dietary counselling were followed to evaluate changes in metabolic and biochemical parameters and compared with a non-intervention group. The study population predominantly included patients aged 40–59 years, with hypertension and diabetes being common co-morbidities. Baseline dietary assessment indicated inadequate energy intake, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and suboptimal intake of several nutrients. Following the dietary intervention, serum bicarbonate levels in the intervention group increased significantly from 20.20 ± 2.90 mmol/L to 22.20 ± 3.45 mmol/L (p<0.001), indicating improvement in metabolic acid–base status. Serum calcium showed a slight improvement, while uric acid demonstrated a mild reduction that was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that modification of dietary acid load through structured nutritional counselling may positively influence metabolic status in patients with CKD. Low-acid dietary intervention may therefore represent a practical nutritional strategy for supporting acid–base balance and improving metabolic outcomes in CKD. Further studies with larger populations and longer follow-up are warranted to establish its long-term clinical benefits

Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, Dietary Acid Load, Metabolic Acidosis, Metabolic Response, Acid–Base Homeostasis, Serum Bicarbonate, Nutritional Intervention, Biochemical Parameters, Potential Renal Acid Load.

How to cite this article: Abrar Ali Rather, Ibtisam Nazir Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq. Dietary Acid Load and Metabolic Responses in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Interventional Study. Emerging Trends in Metabolites. 2026; 03(02):-.
How to cite this URL: Abrar Ali Rather, Ibtisam Nazir Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq. Dietary Acid Load and Metabolic Responses in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Interventional Study. Emerging Trends in Metabolites. 2026; 03(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/etm/article=2026/view=260893

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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 03
02
Received 30/09/2026
Accepted 17/10/2026
Published 19/10/2026
Publication Time 19 Days

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