Normally, kidneys can filter as much as 120 to 150 quarts of blood every day and produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine. They help to prevent water matter from collecting in the body and also maintain the level of electrolytes inside, such as phosphate, sodium, and potassium.
Kidney problems commonly affect the normal renal function in the patients. It also results in an inability to control potassium levels in the body. This causes abnormally high potassium in the blood which is extremely harmful and results in nausea and vomiting. In addition, there are several medications that are meant to treat kidney problems but these also increase the production of potassium in the body.
When potassium levels in the body rise to abnormally high levels, it can lead to various types of discomforts, including chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and heart palpitations. In case you notice any of these signs, it is highly advisable to visit the best Nephrologist in Secunderabad and get effective advice and treatment.
How to prevent abnormal levels of potassium in the body?
Dietary change is one of the best solutions to prevent abnormal levels of potassium in the body for kidney patients. To create an effective diet, you will need to identify foods that are high and low in potassium. You can easily check the level of potassium in any food product by reading the ingredient information on the packaging label or doing a quick Google search.
However, it is important to remember that simply eating low-potassium food is not the aim of the diet but the amount of food you eat also matters. Control the portion of every low-potassium meal as excess food can also boost potassium levels in the body.
Which are low potassium foods?
Any food which contains 200 mg (milligrams) or less potassium per serving is considered to be a low potassium product.
Some of the most commonly used low-potassium foods are:
- Apple
- Berries (strawberries and blueberries)
- Pineapple
- Grapefruit
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries and cranberry juice
- Eggplant
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- White bread
- White pasta
- White rice
- Egg whites
- Canned tuna
Kidney patients are encouraged to include the above-listed foods into their daily diet to prevent excess build-up of potassium in their bodies by top-ranked kidney doctors in Secunderabad.
Which are high-potassium foods?
Some of the most common foods that contain over 200 mg of potassium and considered to be high-potassium food products are:
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Raisins
- Oranges/orange juice
- Prunes/prune juice
- Spinach
- Tomatoes/tomato juice/tomato sauce
- Brussels sprouts
- Lentils
- Split peas
- Pumpkins
- Potatoes / sweet potatoes
- Milk
- Dried apricots
- Low-sodium cheese
- Bran products
- Nuts
- Chicken
- Beef
Kidney patient is advised to avoid the above-given food items in their diet to prevent abnormally high levels of potassium build up in their bloodstream.
How to get potassium from fruits and vegetables?
Fresh fruits and vegetables are always preferred as compared to frozen or canned ones. This is because when food products are canned, the potassium leaks out and mixes with the water or juice inside the can. So, when this juice mixes with your meal or drink, it can boost the potassium levels in the body.
The canned juice is also high in salt content, which also results in the body retaining water and cause undue work for your kidney. A safe way to have canned food or vegetable is to drain out the water or juice within the can completely before using the food in your meal.
How to check safe potassium levels for the body?
According to the best Nephrologists in Secunderabad, the normal daily potassium intake for healthy adult men should be around 3,400 mg while for healthy adult women the ideal daily potassium intake should be around 2,600 mg.
In contrast, kidney patients who are following a low-potassium diet should avoid consuming potassium over 2,000 mg per day.
A simple blood test can help kidney patients to determine the level of potassium in their bodies. The level of potassium is classified into three categories, according to the increased risk, which are:
- Safe zone – 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L
- Caution zone – 5.1 to 6.0 mmol/L
- Danger zone – 6.0 mmol/L or above
It is strongly recommended to consult with the best kidney doctor in Secunderabad to ensure that you follow the best low-potassium diet and keep your renal problems at bay.
