A balanced level of vitamins and micronutrients in our bodies is necessary for the normal functioning of all organs, the nervous system, etc. It is a known fact that a high level of deficiency of any substances in the body can lead to malfunctioning of organs or general poor health, which ultimately affects our daily lives. Since we all want to live a healthy lifestyle, play sports and control our health, we need to consult doctors regularly, as well as checking the balance of vitamins and minerals in the body.
However, it also happens that a person already has some kind of health problem, namely, a malfunction in the functioning of any particular organs. In this article, we will consider the case of kidney disease and the effect of a high level of potassium in the blood on the functions of the body, and also consider which foods should be excluded from the diet and which, on the contrary, should be added to the daily diet.
Potassium is necessary for nerve and muscle tissue, but too much potassium in the body indicates a serious health condition, namely, chronic kidney disease. Normal potassium levels range from 3.5 to 5.0 mg per liter. A higher level of potassium in the blood is a sign of an electrolyte imbalance and is known by the term “hyperkalemia.” Such a violation can cause serious consequences. You can lower your blood potassium levels naturally. To do this, you need to drink more water, less milk and fruit juice, and also adhere to a low potassium diet. But, quite possibly, you will need medical intervention.
If your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will prescribe a diet with a specific daily intake of protein, sodium, and potassium. Controlling these nutrients in your diet will help prevent deterioration.
Let’s look at micronutrients, which are necessary for our body.
Protein
Protein helps to build support for every cell of your body as the body extracts energy from protein. When the kidneys are disturbed, they cannot cope with the incoming proteins. The only source of energy is carbohydrates and fats, and the limited amount of protein you eat will be used to build and repair your cells. A diet for people with kidney problems is based on a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The main sources of protein are meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, beans and nuts, cereals – you need to limit the quantity of them.
Sodium
Consumption of sodium can lead to increased blood pressure and the accumulation of excess fluid in the body – this is especially dangerous for people whose kidneys cannot process all the accumulated fluid on time. Such a load, in turn, leads to tension in the vessels and heart. Diet for people with such diseases involves a limit on sodium. Interestingly, the greatest amount of sodium we get is not from salt at all, but from processed products: sausages, canned food, marinades, and seasonings – it contains monosodium glutamate, a food supplement that improves the taste of the product. The World Health Organization recommends consuming no more than 2 grams of glutamate per day, however, this number may vary depending on your type of diet.
Potassium
As we mentioned before, potassium in your body must remain balanced. Scientists from the Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, published the results of the study “Potassium and health”. According to the researches, if kidney function is impaired, potassium levels in the blood may rise. High potassium levels also affect heart rate. If balanced potassium consumption has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, then, on the contrary, excessive consumption provokes an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, your new diet needs to limit foods that contain potassium.
Low Potassium Food List:
- apples / apple juice;
- applesauce;
- blackberry;
- blueberrie;
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- corn.
Share your low-calorie diet experience in the comments.
