Beware of potassium! What foods should people with kidney disease avoid?

Beware of potassium! What foods should people with kidney disease avoid?

Dec 17, 2024Ehotyshamull Joy

 

Potassium intake in patients with kidney disease

 

Salt is essential for our body, but in modern times, it is also the main cause of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. As modern people are increasingly urged to be wary of eating salty foods, "low-sodium salt" that reduces sodium and adds potassium is gaining popularity. But is low-sodium salt really healthy for everyone?

 

Potassium absorbed by the body is easily excreted through the bowel movement when the kidneys function normally. On the other hand, if you consume too much potassium while your kidneys are failing, hyperkalemia will appear. Hyperkalemia occurs when blood potassium levels are above 5.5 mmol/L, which can lead to muscle weakness, shortness of breath, heart attack, and arrhythmias.

 

A 2018 study in Journal Nutrients recommends that patients with chronic kidney disease should limit their daily intake of potassium to no more than 3 grams (3,000 mg) and caution against potassium in food additives and low-chlorine foods. This is because consuming as much potassium as the general population can cause hyperkalemia, which can have devastating effects on the nerves, electromyography, and heart muscle.

 

Foods to avoid for people with kidney disease

 

Nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables are known as representative healthy foods due to their fiber and antioxidant vitamins. However, there is a great risk of poison in patients with chronic kidney disease. This is because bananas contain 380 mg/100 g, melons 221 mg/100 g, and tomatoes 178 mg/100 g of potassium.

 

Even the side dishes we eat in our daily lives contain a lot of potassium. According to a survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Health and Environment, the potassium content of side dishes distributed in the Seoul area is 307.4 mg on average, 32.7 mg as low as possible, and 917.9 mg per 100 grams. Assuming you eat four side dishes in one meal, you're getting about 3,600 mg of potassium in three meals. This easily exceeds the recommended amount of potassium (3,000 mg) for people with chronic kidney disease.

 

How to manage the diet of patients with kidney disease

 

A paper in Journal Nutrients recommends that people with chronic kidney disease eat boiled or boiled food. This is because soaking or blanching food in water can reduce potassium by 30~50%.

 

Patients with chronic kidney disease should keep in mind that their ability to regulate electrolytes such as water, sodium, and potassium is reduced, and it is better to adjust their diet appropriately according to their body.



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