Effects of a Whole-food, Plant-based Nutrition Program on BP and Potassium in Subjects With CKD

The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that educating hypertensive chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 and 4 patients on the benefit of a whole food plant based (WFPB) diet in the context of a 15-day educational program ("Jumpstart program") will lead to improved blood pressure control and will not increase rates of hyperkalemia. Other objectives: A) To test the effect of the Jumpstart program on degree of uptake on a WFPB diet via a 3 day food recall. B) To test the effect of the Jumpstart program on other important outcomes in CKD in the following domains: 1. Body composition such as weight and body mass index (BMI). 2. Quality of life. 3. Laboratory tests including- serum levels of sodium, bicarbonate, chloride, Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, albumin, parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor 23, lipids, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. C) To test the effect of the Jumpstart program on quality of life in hypertensive CKD patients.