Potassium and kidney health -
Blood potassium must be well regulated to prevent serious complications. Hyperkalemia does not usually cause noticeable symptoms, even at very high levels.
At this level, dangerous complications can develop, including an irregular heart rhythm, severe muscle weakness, paralysis, or even sudden death. Plant-based nutrition generally has higher potassium levels, yet it is so helpful to overall health that a dramatic reduction in plant-based foods with the purpose of lowering dietary potassium should be limited.
In cases of advanced kidney disease, there are newer potassium-binding medicines that can be used to prevent potassium absorption but allow the individual to continue eating plant-based foods. HOW MUCH POTASSIUM DO I NEED?
In general, experts recommend eating a diet that contains at least mg of potassium per day [ 2 ]. Further restrictions should be made based on labs and the advice of your clinician.
A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help to create a low-potassium meal plan. Your height and weight dictate the range of servings you need. An example of one such plan includes table 1 and table 2 :.
A sample diet plan is provided in the table table 1. HOW DO I CUT DOWN ON POTASSIUM? Almost all foods contain some potassium, so the key is to choose foods with a lower potassium level, when possible.
Online or smartphone calculators for potassium can be useful in keeping track. Foods with higher levels of potassium — Foods that have the highest concentrations of potassium include cantaloupe, watermelons, grapefruit, all dried fruit and fruit juices, avocadoes, tomatoes, potatoes plain and sweet , Brussels sprouts, milk, yogurt, lentils, and most nuts except peanuts.
The foods in the table have greater than mg of potassium per serving and should be avoided or eaten in very small portions table 3. Yes, these are healthy foods, but if your kidneys cannot handle the potassium, they are not healthy for you.
A process of "leaching" can reduce the amount of potassium in some vegetables. See 'Reducing potassium levels in vegetables' below. Foods with lower levels of potassium — The foods in this table have a low level of potassium less than mg potassium per serving on average table 2.
You can eat low-potassium foods regularly but limit your portion size since potassium can quickly add up if you eat a large portion. Reducing potassium levels in vegetables — It is possible to remove some of the potassium in certain vegetables with high potassium levels.
Leaching is a process of soaking raw or frozen vegetables in water for at least two hours before cooking to "pull" some of the potassium out of the food and into the water.
You should not eat these vegetables frequently because there is still a lot of potassium in the food after leaching. Vegetables with a skin eg, potatoes, carrots, beets, rutabagas should be peeled before slicing. Use a large amount of unsalted warm water approximately 10 parts water to 1 part vegetables.
If possible, change the water every four hours. Drain the soaking water. Drain the cooking water. Your health care providers are the best source of information for questions and concerns related to your medical problem. This article will be updated as needed on our web site www.
Related topics for patients, as well as selected articles written for health care professionals, are also available. Some of the most relevant are listed below. Patient level information — UpToDate offers two types of patient education materials.
The Basics — The Basics patient education pieces answer the four or five key questions a patient might have about a given condition. These articles are best for patients who want a general overview and who prefer short, easy-to-read materials.
Patient education: Low-potassium diet The Basics Patient education: Dialysis and diet The Basics Patient education: Chronic kidney disease The Basics Patient education: Hemodialysis The Basics Patient education: Preparing for hemodialysis The Basics Patient education: Peritoneal dialysis The Basics Patient education: Hyperkalemia The Basics Patient education: Periodic paralysis syndrome The Basics.
Beyond the Basics — Beyond the Basics patient education pieces are longer, more sophisticated, and more detailed. These articles are best for patients who want in-depth information and are comfortable with some medical jargon.
What is hyperkalaemia? Causes of hyperkalaemia. If you have kidney disease, other factors can also help to raise potassium levels: Taking certain drugs, for example: Tablets often prescribed to control blood pressure or for heart failure e.
Hyperkalaemia symptoms. Hyperkalaemia can alter the function of your nerves and muscles and can cause: muscle weakness a slow heart beat, and, in severe hyperkalaemia, the heart stopping altogether.
Hyperkalaemia diagnosis. Hyperkalaemia treatment. Treatments for hyperkalaemia will differ, depending on the severity of the condition. If you have severe hyperkalaemia you will usually be admitted to hospital as an in-patient and given treatments including: Nebulised salbutamol via a face mask or T piece tube in your nostrils this is a treatment usually given for asthma, but it helps to push down the potassium level as well Intravenous glucose and insulin this also helps to push down the potassium level Dialysis to remove potassium from the body If your hyperkalaemia is less severe your treatments may include: Changing the drugs you take to ensure you avoid taking any that could raise your potassium level Taking additional drugs such as diuretics to increase your production of urine, potassium binders to prevent absorption of potassium through the gut and sodium bicarbonate to regulate blood acid levels Changing your diet to control the intake of foods and drinks containing potassium.
But you should only restrict your diet if advised to do so by a kidney healthcare professional. Help for you. You can also find lots of helpful tips, advice and information about exercise, diet, mental wellbeing and peer support in our our How can I help myself?
Reviewed April Find a different condition or symptom. Worried about your kidneys? Take our free online kidney health check today. Join our research network Join our Kidney Voices for Research network and get involved in the latest research into the causes and treatments of kidney disease.
More about Kidney Voices. Most people with kidney disease should not use them. Add a medication to help your body avoid holding on to extra potassium. This medication may come from one or both of the following medication categories: Water pills diuretics — these help your body get rid of extra potassium.
They work by increasing the amount of potassium your body removes in the urine. Potassium binders — these help lower the amount of potassium your body absorbs from food. These often come in the form of a powder. They need to be mixed with a small amount of water and taken with food. You must follow the instructions carefully when taking potassium binders.
For example, potassium binders may interfere with how other drugs work if you take them at the same time. Potassium binders have not yet been approved for use in children.
Adjust or remove any medications that may be contributing to your high potassium levels. Depending on what that medication is being used for and how high it raised your potassium level.
This could either be a temporary change or you may be advised to avoid that medication permanently. Adjust your dialysis settings to help remove some of the extra potassium during a session. This approach is only beneficial if you are already on dialysis, especially hemodialysis.
Low Potassium Hypokalemia. Eat more foods that are high in potassium or more servings of low-potassium foods. This is usually in the form of tablets to be taken by mouth. However, if your potassium needs to be increased quickly, potassium may be given through your vein Intravenous or IV.
Adjust or remove any medications that may be contributing to your low potassium levels. Depending on what that medication is being used for and how low your potassium level is, this could either be a temporary change or you may be advised to avoid that medication permanently.
Adjust your dialysis settings to help remove less potassium during a session. Questions to Ask. What was my most recent potassium level? What is my goal potassium level? Do any of my medications, supplements, or herbal remedies increase my risk for high or low potassium levels?
Which of my favorite foods are high in potassium? Which ones are low in potassium? Save this content:.
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