The potassium and kidney disease connection
Potassium is a vital mineral essential for bodily function. For example, it helps to regulate blood pressure, supports the heart and nerves, and aids in developing muscles and bones.
However, if you suffer from chronic kidney disease, the potassium levels in your body can become imbalanced, leading to serious health complications.
Read on as we explore the relationship between kidney disease and potassium, why imbalanced potassium levels are a concern for people diagnosed with kidney disease, and how to manage potassium levels to promote better health, including high-potassium foods to avoid.
What is kidney disease?
Kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys become damaged, causing them to lose their ability to properly filter waste and excess fluids from the body. As a result, toxins and other harmful substances can build up in the bloodstream, causing a variety of symptoms and complications.
There are two types of kidney disease:
Acute kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease
Acute kidney disease is typically caused by an injury or illness that affects the kidneys. In contrast, chronic kidney disease develops slowly over time and is often caused by underlying conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
According to the American Kidney Fund, kidney disease continues to grow at alarming rates, affecting more than 1 in 7, or 15% of, American adults. In fact, based on the most recent data available, there were nearly 135,000 Americans newly diagnosed with kidney failure in 2019.
Why are imbalanced potassium levels a concern for people with kidney disease?
Potassium is one of the minerals the kidneys help regulate in the human body. However, when the kidneys are damaged or not functioning correctly, they may not be able to remove excess potassium from the body as effectively, leading to a condition known as hyperkalemia.
Hyperkalemia occurs when there is too much potassium in the bloodstream, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Symptoms of hyperkalemia can include the following:
weakness
numbness
tingling
irregular heartbeat
heart palpitations
On the other hand, low potassium levels, known as hypokalemia, can also be a concern for people suffering from kidney disease.
Hypokalemia can be caused by various factors, including medications used to treat high blood pressure or fluid retention and poor nutrition.
Symptoms of hypokalemia can include the following:
muscle weakness
cramping
constipation
How to manage potassium levels when you have kidney disease
If you have kidney disease, it is crucial to monitor your potassium levels regularly and take steps to keep them balanced.
Your doctor or nephrologist may recommend a low-potassium diet that limits high-potassium foods and avoids salt substitutes that contain potassium. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medications like potassium binders, which help to remove excess potassium from the body.
In addition to managing potassium levels with kidney disease, anyone with kidney disease should monitor their overall health and well-being. That may include maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, which can contribute to kidney disease and potassium imbalances.
High-potassium foods to avoid with kidney disease
Although healthy and nutritious, several common high-potassium foods should be limited or avoided if you have kidney disease.
Some of these high-potassium foods include the following:
milk
yogurt
lentils and beans
brussels sprouts
dried fruit
spinach
avocado
mushrooms
tomatoes
potatoes (plain and sweet)
cantaloupe
watermelon
oranges
bananas
nuts
Foods low in potassium
There are plenty of low-potassium foods for kidney patients, including vegetables low in potassium and low-potassium fruits, including the following:
berries
apples
pears
cabbage
cauliflower
eggplant
green beans
onion
green peas
peppers
radish
zucchini
rhubarb
okra
carrots
fish
chicken
turkey
rice
pasta
Kidney disease and potassium
Potassium is an essential mineral that is critical to proper bodily function.
However, for the millions of people who suffer from kidney disease, imbalanced potassium levels can be a serious concern.
Hyperkalemia, a condition caused by having too much potassium in the bloodstream, can lead to life-threatening complications. Although mild hyperkalemia is typically asymptomatic, meaning it has no symptoms, high potassium levels can cause muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and paralysis.
Hypokalemia, a condition caused by low potassium levels in the bloodstream, can cause a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms. However, when left untreated, severe hypokalemia can cause serious heart rhythm problems and life-threatening paralysis.
To manage potassium levels with kidney disease, working closely with your nephrologist to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and lifestyle is essential.
By making dietary and lifestyle changes and taking prescribed medications, you can help to maintain healthy potassium levels and improve your overall health and well-being.
If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and struggling to manage your potassium levels, let the team at Reset Kidney Health help. We know from experience that early kidney disease treatment, coupled with a healthy diet and lifestyle, saves lives. With Reset, you can easily schedule appointments with our world-class kidney specialists and nutritionists to manage your potassium intake for optimal kidney health. We are currently accepting new patients. Contact us today to speak with a member of our care team.
