Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods such as bananas and fish and helps to keep the heart beating regularly, maintain fluid balance, and allows the nerves and muscles to function properly.
The kidneys usually maintain the correct level of potassium in the blood. However there are people who take certain medicines or who have chronic kidney disease. This means they will have to reduce the level of potassium in their diet in order to maintain their potassium levels
Normally, the level of potassium in your body is balanced by eating certain foods that contain potassium and expelling excess potassium through urinating. Yet there are some people who suffer from chronic kidney disease and cannot get rid of enough potassium in their urine because the kidneys do not function as well. So it is essential that eating a low potassium diet can lower the risk of developing hyperkalemia.
Hyperkalemia does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until the potassium level reaches a very high level. If they do reach critical level then complications can develop, including an irregular heart rhythm or severe muscle weakness or paralysis.
Generally you need a diet that contains at least 4700 mg of potassium on a daily basis. Some of this can include one to three servings of low-potassium fruit per day, two to three servings of low-potassium vegetables per day or dairy and calcium rich foods equating to one to two servings of low-potassium choices per day
You will be able to reduce your potassium intake by choosing foods with a low potassium level, when possible. You will need to take into account the serving size when calculating the amount of potassium in a food; a large serving of a low potassium food may have more potassium than a small serving of a food with a high level of potassium. Other tips include draining canned vegetables, fruits, and meats before serving to regulate levels.
The kidneys usually maintain the correct level of potassium in the blood. However there are people who take certain medicines or who have chronic kidney disease. This means they will have to reduce the level of potassium in their diet in order to maintain their potassium levels
Normally, the level of potassium in your body is balanced by eating certain foods that contain potassium and expelling excess potassium through urinating. Yet there are some people who suffer from chronic kidney disease and cannot get rid of enough potassium in their urine because the kidneys do not function as well. So it is essential that eating a low potassium diet can lower the risk of developing hyperkalemia.
Hyperkalemia does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until the potassium level reaches a very high level. If they do reach critical level then complications can develop, including an irregular heart rhythm or severe muscle weakness or paralysis.
Generally you need a diet that contains at least 4700 mg of potassium on a daily basis. Some of this can include one to three servings of low-potassium fruit per day, two to three servings of low-potassium vegetables per day or dairy and calcium rich foods equating to one to two servings of low-potassium choices per day
You will be able to reduce your potassium intake by choosing foods with a low potassium level, when possible. You will need to take into account the serving size when calculating the amount of potassium in a food; a large serving of a low potassium food may have more potassium than a small serving of a food with a high level of potassium. Other tips include draining canned vegetables, fruits, and meats before serving to regulate levels.
