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Chronic Kidney DiseaseFAME-CKDNCT07759401

Food As Medicine to Reduce CKD Burden in Health Disparity Populations

A study testing Culinary Medicine Nutrition and Cooking Education in people with Chronic Kidney Disease, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at 2 sites in United States.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Healthy eating plays an important role in kidney and heart health, and programs that use food as medicine can help improve diet and overall health, but the best ways to support healthy eating in community settings are not well understood. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Kidney Disease
What is being tested?
Culinary Medicine Nutrition and Cooking Education
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
500 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
Oct 2026to Oct 2032
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • men and women of age ≥ 18 years and able to give consent;
  • willingness to participate in a 12-month study;
  • elevated albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) (≥ 30 mg/g) determined by point-of-care urine dipstick during health screen;
  • Reside in a low-income area or visit a food pantry due to food insecurity

Who cannot join

  • whose urine dipstick does not indicate micro- or macro-albuminuria (ACR <30 mg/g),
  • currently receiving dialysis or need dialysis,
  • have received or need a kidney transplant,
  • pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next 12 months,
  • baseline urine potassium > 60 mEq/g creatinine (baseline excretion below this level was not associated with hyperkalemia when fruit/vegetable were paired with kidney-protective drugs,
  • urine ACR values indicate nephrotic proteinuria, and
  • CKD stage 5 demonstrated by elevated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) obtained during baseline measures.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

United States2 sites
  • Brother Bill's Helping Hand

    Dallas, Texas, 75212

    Wes Keyes, 214-638-2196, wes.keyes@bbhh.org

  • University of Texas Southwestern

    Dallas, Texas, 75390

    Emilie Ruiz, BS, 469-285-6848, emilie.ruiz@utsouthwestern.edu

Other trials in United States

About this study

Healthy eating plays an important role in kidney and heart health, and programs that use food as medicine can help improve diet and overall health, but the best ways to support healthy eating in community settings are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to compare two study groups to see which is more effective at improving kidney health and related health outcomes in adults with chronic kidney disease. One group receives fruits and vegetables with cooking education, and the other receives fruits and vegetables alone. The results may help researchers develop community-based programs to improve kidney and heart health, especially in populations at higher risk for kidney disease.

If the participant joins the study, the participant will complete a baseline visit, a 6-month visit, and a 12-month visit. Visits include questionnaires about the participant's health, diet, and cooking habits; a urine sample; a blood sample; blood pressure, height, weight, and waist measurements; and a brief, painless Veggie Meter® scan to measure fruit and vegetable intake. Participants will pick up weekly fruits and vegetables for 12 months. Those in the cooking group will also attend 12 weekly cooking and nutrition classes and receive follow-up newsletters and optional monthly virtual sessions. Depending on the group to which the participants are assigned, the total time commitment for the participants in this study will range from approximately 3 to 15 hours.

Participation is voluntary, involves minimal risk, and all information will be kept private. Possible risks include brief pain or bruising from the blood draw, mild discomfort from urine collection, minor risk of cuts or burns during cooking, and some questions may feel personal; the participant may skip any question. There may be no direct benefit to the participant, but the participant's participation may help improve nutrition and kidney health programs in the community.

Read the detailed description

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts approximately 1/7 Americans, who experience asymptomatic progressive CKD leading to catastrophic complications, including kidney failure and death, and this R01 study will extend our previous R21 work to screen, identify , and intervene with culinary medicine philosophy within a community-based setting. The overall goals of the research study are to evaluate (1) urine albumin to creatinine ratio outcomes, (2) secondary endpoints including cardiovascular disease (CVD) measurements (i.e., systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, lipids), and (3) dietary adherence and change as well as nutrition knowledge and efficacy. This work will determine whether base-producing fruit and vegetables with or without culinary medicine improves CKD outcomes and associated CVD risk in lower socioeconomic community settings to inform future multi-site trials and population level implementation .

Being tested
Culinary Medicine Nutrition and Cooking Education
Keywords
Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD, Food is Medicine
Medical subject headings
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Culinary Medicine Nutrition and Cooking EducationBehavioural

    A 12-week group-based culinary medicine program integrating nutrition education, cooking instruction, and behavior change strategies to support healthy eating and meal preparation.

Study groups in NCT07759401
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Fruits and Vegetables (FV) Only (Control)No interventionThis group will receive a prescribed amount of free (at no charge) base-producing FV for 12 months through pick-up at one of two Brother Bills Helping Hand (BBHH) sites. BBHH clients pick up groceries weekly from either their main West Dallas campus or the South Dallas Community Market. This calculated FV amount averages 2-3 cups of base-producing FV daily. The FV Only group is considered standard care.
Fruits and Vegetables + Nutrition and Cooking educationExperimentalParticipants will receive the same free base-producing as the FV Only group plus 12 weekly group nutrition and cooking education classes delivered through the UTSW Culinary Medicine program. Classes include hands-on cooking instruction, nutrition education, goal setting, behavioral strategies, and skill-building activities designed to improve healthy eating behaviors, self-efficacy, and motivation.
Receives: Behavioral: Culinary Medicine Nutrition and Cooking Education

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from Baseline in Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio at 6 months

    Diagnostic laboratory results for urinalysis will determine whether urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is reduced to a greater extent with the FV + Cook intervention as compared to FV Only at 6- months. High levels of urine albumin excretion predict increased risk for subsequent eGFR decline and its change during follow up is directly associated with risk for End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 months

  2. Change in Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio at 12 months

    Diagnostic laboratory results for urinalysis will determine whether urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is reduced to a greater extent with the FV + Cook intervention as compared to FV Only at 12-months. High levels of urine albumin excretion predict increased risk for subsequent eGFR decline and its change during follow up is directly associated with risk for ESKD.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Change from Baseline in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure at 6 months

    Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) will be measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) using a validated instrument according to standardized guidelines. Two to three consecutive readings will be obtained and averaged for analysis.

    The outcome will be expressed as the mean change from baseline in SBP and DBP at the specified timepoint.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 months

  2. Change from Baseline in Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure at 12 Months

    Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) will be measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) using a validated instrument according to standardized guidelines. Two to three consecutive readings will be obtained and averaged for analysis.

    The outcome will be expressed as the mean change from baseline in SBP and DBP at the specified timepoint.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

  3. Change from Baseline in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) at 6 months

    HbA1c will be measured as a percentage (%) from venous blood samples using a standardized laboratory method.

    The outcome will be expressed as the mean change from baseline in HbA1c at the specified timepoint.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 Months

  4. Change from Baseline in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) at 12 Months

    HbA1c will be measured as a percentage (%) from venous blood samples using a standardized laboratory method.

    The outcome will be expressed as the mean change from baseline in HbA1c at the specified timepoint.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

  5. Change from Baseline in Body Mass Index (BMI) at 6 Months

    Body mass index (BMI) will be calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Body weight and height will be measured using standardized procedures, with weight measured using a calibrated scale and height using a stadiometer.

    The outcome will be expressed as the mean change from baseline in BMI at the specified timepoint.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 Months

  6. Change from Baseline in Body Mass Index (BMI) at 12 Months

    Body mass index (BMI) will be calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Body weight and height will be measured using standardized procedures, with weight measured using a calibrated scale and height using a stadiometer.

    The outcome will be expressed as the mean change from baseline in BMI at the specified timepoint.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

  7. Change in LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) Level From Baseline to 6 months

    LDL cholesterol concentration measured in fasting blood samples using a validated clinical laboratory assay. The outcome is defined as the mean change in LDL-C (mg/dL or mmol/L) from baseline to 6 months. A reduction in LDL-C from baseline indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 Months

  8. Change in LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) Level From Baseline to 12 Months

    LDL cholesterol concentration measured in fasting blood samples using a validated clinical laboratory assay. The outcome is defined as the mean change in LDL-C (mg/dL or mmol/L) from baseline to 12 months. A reduction in LDL-C from baseline indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

  9. Change in HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C) Level From Baseline to 6 months

    HDL cholesterol concentration measured in fasting blood samples using a validated clinical laboratory assay. The outcome is defined as the mean change in HDL-C (mg/dL or mmol/L) from baseline to 6 months. An increase in HDL-C from baseline indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 Months

  10. Change in HDL Cholesterol (HDL-C) Level From Baseline to 12 Months

    HDL cholesterol concentration measured in fasting blood samples using a validated clinical laboratory assay. The outcome is defined as the mean change in HDL-C (mg/dL or mmol/L) from baseline to 12 months. An increase in HDL-C from baseline indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

  11. Change in Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] Level From Baseline to 6 months

    Serum lipoprotein(a) concentration measured using a validated laboratory assay. The outcome is defined as the mean change in Lp(a) level (nmol/L or mg/dL) from baseline to 6 months. A reduction in Lp(a) concentration from baseline indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 6 Months

  12. Change in Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] Level From Baseline to 12 Months

    Serum lipoprotein(a) concentration measured using a validated laboratory assay. The outcome is defined as the mean change in Lp(a) level (nmol/L or mg/dL) from baseline to 6 months. A reduction in Lp(a) concentration from baseline indicates improvement.

    Measured: Baseline (enrollment), 12 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Aug 2026
  2. Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionOct 2031 (estimated)
  4. Study completionOct 2032 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
500 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07759401
Sponsor's protocol ID
STU20260055
Other IDs
1R01DK143078-01A1
Acronym
FAME-CKD
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
20 Jul 2026
Last updated
12 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: IPD sharing will not be shared with other researchers. Only aggregated, de-identified data will be shared if needed.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Culinary Medicine Nutrition and Cooking Education in people with Chronic Kidney Disease, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Emilie Ruiz, BS (469-285-6848, emilie.ruiz@utsouthwestern.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from Baseline in Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio at 6 months (time frame: Baseline (enrollment), 6 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Aug 2026.

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