The National Kidney Foundation explains that your kidneys control the levels of potassium in your blood. Regardless how much potassium you consume, these levels have to remain in a very narrow range because the concentrations of potassium inside and outside nerve cells are responsible for making nerves fire.
Potassium is found is almost every single food you eat. The National Institutes of Health report that because potassium is so ubiquitous, potassium deficiency is very rare. This makes it difficult for patients whose kidneys are unable to control potassium levels because their potassium levels can become dangerously high.
Potassium is found is almost every single food you eat. The National Institutes of Health report that because potassium is so ubiquitous, potassium deficiency is very rare. This makes it difficult for patients whose kidneys are unable to control potassium levels because their potassium levels can become dangerously high.
Potassium Levels
Serum potassium is measured in milliequivalents per liter, which is abbreviated meq/L. According to the National Kidney Foundation, serum potassium levels between 3.5 to 5.0 meq/L are normal.
Levels between 5.1 to 6.0 meq/L are slightly high and levels above 6.0 meq/L are dangerous because the patient is at high risk for irregular heart beats or even heart attack.
Levels between 5.1 to 6.0 meq/L are slightly high and levels above 6.0 meq/L are dangerous because the patient is at high risk for irregular heart beats or even heart attack.
High Potassium Foods
Patients with advanced kidney disease who have high serum potassium levels are advised to avoid high-potassium foods. The National Kidney Foundation warns that patients should indulge in high potassium foods very sparingly. These foods include apricots, bananas, acorn squash, bran products, avocado, chocolate, granola, dates, potatoes and butternut squash. Other high potassium foods that should be avoided include grapefruit juice, black beans, honeydew, broccoli, nuts, mangos, yogurt, oranges, dried beans and dried peas.
Low Potassium Foods
The National Kidney Foundation reports that the following qualify as low potassium foods: alfalfa sprouts, rice, noodles made from white flour, green beans, blackberries and cauliflower. The Foundation warns that coffee, apples and celery are also okay, but only in small quantities.
source: livestronge.com
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