Leena Watts
High levels of potassium in the blood, known as hyperkalemia, can cause severe health issues. While mild cases may not show any symptoms, severe cases can cause muscle weakness and heart problems. The best way to prevent hyperkalemia is to be aware of your kidney health and limit your potassium intake. A low-potassium diet can help protect your health, and a healthcare professional can advise on the right amount of potassium for your body. This often involves working with a dietitian to create a meal plan that ensures you get the right amount of potassium while managing your condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to see change in potassium levels | A blood test will determine if your potassium levels are too high or too low. |
| How to lower potassium levels | A low-potassium diet, medications, and in severe cases, dialysis. |
| Foods to eat on a low-potassium diet | Fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources. |
| Foods to avoid on a low-potassium diet | Potassium-rich foods. |
| Other ways to lower potassium levels | Intravenous insulin, glucose, albuterol, and sodium bicarbonate. |
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What You'll Learn
Low-potassium foods
A low-potassium diet is usually recommended for people with hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood, which can be caused by kidney disease. If you have any health conditions, it's important to consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet. They can advise you on the specific level of restriction you need based on your individual health.
To keep your potassium levels low, it is recommended to limit your intake of high-potassium foods and be mindful of your serving sizes. A large serving of even a low-potassium food can turn into a high-potassium meal. On a low-potassium diet, the recommended daily intake is 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams of potassium.
- Fruits: apples and grapes (1-3 servings per day)
- Vegetables: carrots and corn (2-3 servings per day)
- Dairy/calcium-rich foods: cottage cheese (1-2 servings per day)
- Meat/plant-based meat: turkey or shrimp (3-7 servings per day)
- Grains: rice or noodles (4-7 servings per day)
Cooking methods can also help lower the potassium levels in foods. For example, boiling, pressure cooking, and cooking in the microwave can reduce potassium levels in cereals, fruits, meats, legumes, and vegetables. Soaking is another effective method, particularly for white and sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, and leafy and cruciferous vegetables.
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High-potassium foods to avoid
People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may need to limit their intake of foods that are high in potassium. This is because CKD can decrease the kidneys' ability to remove excess potassium from the body, which can lead to a buildup of potassium in the blood, known as hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can cause serious symptoms, including irregular heart function and muscle cramping, and increase the risk of a heart attack.
It is important to note that the right amount of potassium in the diet will depend on an individual's unique situation, and a healthcare professional or dietitian is in the best position to advise on this. However, some general guidelines can be provided on high-potassium foods that may need to be limited or avoided.
Canned fruits and vegetables should be swapped for fresh or frozen produce. This is because canned foods can leach potassium into the water or juice in the can, and consuming this liquid can spike potassium levels. Boiling starchy foods, such as potatoes and pasta, before consumption can also help to lower their potassium content.
Some specific high-potassium foods that may need to be limited or avoided include nuts, potatoes, and bananas. In terms of portion sizes, it is recommended to have a half-cup serving of high-potassium foods. Additionally, be mindful of portion sizes even for low-potassium foods, as consuming large amounts can still lead to elevated potassium levels.
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Potassium-restricted diets
A low-potassium diet is usually recommended for individuals with hyperkalemia, or high levels of potassium in the blood, to prevent potential damage to the heart and muscles. It is also suggested for those with kidney disease, as their kidneys may not be able to effectively remove excess potassium from the body.
A low-potassium diet involves restricting your daily potassium intake to around 2,000–3,000 milligrams, which is significantly lower than the recommended intake for those without health issues, which is about 4,700 milligrams. The exact amount of potassium you should aim for depends on your height, weight, and individual health, so it's important to consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice.
On a potassium-restricted diet, a typical daily meal plan might include:
- 1-3 servings of low-potassium fruit, such as apples or grapes
- 2-3 servings of low-potassium vegetables, like carrots or corn
- 1-2 servings of dairy or calcium-rich foods, such as cottage cheese
- 3-7 servings of meat or plant-based protein, including options like turkey or shrimp
- 4-7 servings of grains, such as rice or noodles
It's important to note that serving sizes matter, and even low-potassium foods can turn into high-potassium foods if consumed in large quantities. Cooking methods can also impact potassium levels in foods, with cooking in water, pressure cooking, and microwaving being effective ways to reduce potassium content in certain food groups, such as cereals, fruits, meats, and vegetables.
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The effect of sodium on potassium levels
Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that help the body maintain fluid and blood volume. Consuming too much sodium and too little potassium can raise your blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Most people consume too much sodium and not enough potassium. The average sodium intake is 3,400 milligrams per day, which is well above the recommended amount of less than 2,300 milligrams for teens and adults.
Sodium is added to processed foods, and most of the sodium in our diets comes from packaged and restaurant food. Foods with moderate amounts of sodium, such as bread, can be major sources because they are eaten frequently. On the other hand, potassium is found naturally in vegetables, fruits, seafood, and dairy products. Good sources of potassium include bananas, oranges, melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and cooked spinach and broccoli.
It is important to note that while sodium intake should be limited, it is still a required nutrient for the body. The key is to maintain a healthy balance between sodium and potassium intake. The ideal ratio of sodium to potassium intake is still being studied, but it is generally recommended to reduce sodium intake and increase potassium intake, especially for those at risk of hypertension.
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Dialysis and medication
Dialysis is a treatment for high potassium levels in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can be dangerous, potentially leading to a heart attack or death. It is a particular risk for those with kidney disease, as the kidneys are responsible for maintaining the right amount of potassium in the body. Dialysis helps the kidneys to remove excess potassium from the blood.
If you are on dialysis, it is important to attend all your treatments and not to shorten treatment times. It is also crucial to monitor your potassium levels between treatments, as they can rise during this time. This may mean limiting your potassium intake in your diet. Your doctor or renal dietitian can help you to understand which foods contain potassium and how much you can eat.
Medications can also be used to lower potassium levels. These include potassium binders, which work by sticking to the potassium in your body and preventing it from entering your bloodstream. This allows you to eat a wider variety of foods without worrying about your potassium levels. The medicine is a powder that you mix with water. Asthma medication, such as albuterol, can also be used to lower potassium levels.
It is important to note that some medications can raise potassium levels. These include some blood pressure medications, such as RAAS inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs. If you are taking any medications, supplements, or herbal remedies, you should ask your healthcare provider if they could be affecting your potassium levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Hyperkalemia is a condition in which you have high potassium levels in your blood.
Hyperkalemia rarely causes symptoms, but severe cases can damage your heart and cause muscle weakness.
You can lower your potassium levels with dietary changes, medications like diuretics and potassium binders, and dialysis in severe cases.
Examples of low-potassium foods include fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources.
A simple blood test and your kidney disease stage will determine whether your potassium levels are too high.
