Although it is an essential nutrient, consuming too much potassium or potassium can actually harm your body. In particular, potassium levels that are too high can trigger a disease called hyperkalemia. When you have the disease, that means you have more than 6 millimoles of potassium per liter (mmol/L) in your blood. The condition is common in people with kidney problems, and can cause symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and a rapid heart rate. If you experience one or more of them, immediately consult a doctor! If you receive a diagnosis of hyperkalemia, your doctor will most likely ask you to go on a low-potassium diet to normalize potassium levels in the body. Meanwhile, for more serious cases of hyperkalemia, the doctor may also prescribe the necessary medications. Basically, with proper medication and care, your health can truly recover over time.
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Method 1 of 3: Adopting a Low Potassium or Potassium Diet
Even if your doctor prescribes medicines to lower the potassium levels in your body, you will most likely be asked to follow a strict diet to prevent the potassium levels from rising again. Since almost all foods, especially fruits and vegetables, contain potassium, following a low-potassium diet is not as easy as you might think. Therefore, try to follow the tips summarized below and ask your doctor or dietitian for further guidance, if necessary.
Step 1. Eat less than 2,000 mg of potassium per day
Basically, the average potassium level that can be consumed by each person is 3,500-4,500 mg per day. However, this figure is actually too high for people with hyperkalemia! That is why, if you are asked to go on a low-potassium diet, do not consume more than 2,000 mg of potassium per day to normalize the levels of these substances in your body. Continue to monitor your diet and try not to exceed these limits.
Your doctor or dietitian may recommend a different daily potassium level. Follow those recommendations
Step 2. Check the nutritional information listed on the food packaging
Ideally, all packaged foods provide nutritional information on the back of the packaging. Check the label to calculate the amount of potassium that enters your body each day.
- If you buy fresh food or groceries that don't have nutritional information, try searching the internet for estimates of potassium content or specialized nutrition apps.
- Pay attention to the serving sizes listed when checking the nutritional information on food packaging, especially since most foods contain several, rather than one, servings.
Step 3. Eat foods that contain less than 150 mg of potassium per serving
In particular, these foods are classified as containing low potassium levels so that they can be consumed as much as possible, although you should still control the serving portion so that potassium levels in the body do not increase accidentally.
- Fruits and vegetables low in potassium include berries, apples, peaches, pears, pineapple, pumpkin, rhubarb, turnips, chili peppers, onions, lettuce, eggplant, celery, cabbage, beans, and cauliflower.
- Breads, cereals, lean meats, pasta, and rice are also low in potassium.
Step 4. Limit or avoid foods whose potassium levels per serving exceed 200 mg
In particular, these foods are classified as containing moderate levels of potassium that can be consumed, as long as the dose is limited, or high levels of potassium which should be completely avoided.
- Some examples of foods with moderate potassium levels are asparagus, carrots, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, corn, cherries, grapefruit, pears, and oranges.
- Some examples of high-potassium foods that you should avoid include avocados, bananas, dried fruit, artichokes, honeydew melon, potatoes, spinach, beetroot, wheat germ, chocolate, granules, milk, and peanut butter.
Step 5. Avoid all salt substitutes
Most salt substitute products are made from potassium chloride or potassium chloride. As a result, consuming it is also effective in making potassium levels in the body soar, so it should be avoided!
Some brands of salt substitute products on the market are Nu-Salt, No Salt, MySALT, and Also Salt. If you are not sure about the product claims, try checking the label on the packaging. If it says "salt substitute" or "sodium-free salt," don't use it
Step 6. Reduce energy drink intake
Did you know that energy drinks are actually intended to increase the body's production of electrolytes, including potassium? That's why, you need to stop consuming it, if possible, and increase the consumption of water or seltzer instead.
Step 7. Consult your dietitian or nutritionist, if necessary
Because potassium is contained in a variety of foods, following a low potassium diet is not as easy as turning your palms. That's why, if you have trouble starting or maintaining this diet, don't hesitate to consult an expert. Basically, a dietitian or nutritionist can help design a diet that best fits your goals.
Ask your doctor for recommendations from a trusted dietitian or nutritionist if you're having trouble finding one on your own
Method 2 of 3: Reducing Potassium or Potassium Levels in the Body
In addition to eating the right foods, there are actually several other ways that you can apply to reduce potassium intake in the body. In particular, avoid certain substances or change your cooking method to complement the diet that has been run so that the level of potassium that enters the body can be further suppressed.
Step 1. Drain the marinade on canned food and meat
In particular, the potassium content in the food will seep into the soaking liquid. As a result, draining the liquid is effective in reducing potassium levels in canned foods significantly.
If you want to eat vegetables packaged in cans, such as canned kidney beans, don't forget to drain the soaking liquid and rinse the beans to reduce the potassium levels in them
Step 2. Soak the vegetables in warm water before cooking to lower the potassium levels in them
In particular, the method is known as "leaching", which is the process of dissolving potassium levels in high-potassium foods, especially vegetables, in liquid. To do this, you only need to wash and peel the food to be processed. Then, slice the food into 0.3 cm thickness and rinse with warm water. After that, soak the food in warm water which is 10 times more than the amount of food, and let it rest for 2 hours before re-rinsing and processing into various types of dishes.
- Basically, this method cannot eliminate all the potassium content in food. Therefore, keep control of your serving portions, yes!
- This method is suitable for reducing potassium levels in potatoes, beetroot, rutabaga, carrots, and pumpkin.
Step 3. Avoid dietary supplements unless otherwise recommended by your doctor
Basically, most dietary supplements and herbs may contain potassium as an added ingredient. That's why it's best to avoid taking dietary supplements or herbs unless your doctor tells you to.
Step 4. Stop taking any medications containing potassium if your doctor tells you to
Some types of pills or tablets that contain potassium can also increase potassium levels in your body if taken continuously. Therefore, if you must continue to take these medications while on a low-potassium diet, try asking your doctor for alternative options. Chances are, your doctor can prescribe different medications with similar benefits.
- Do not stop taking the drug without a doctor's advice!
- If you want to buy over-the-counter medicines at pharmacies, don't forget to ask the pharmacist whether or not there is potassium in the brand of medicine you choose.
Method 3 of 3: Doing Medical Treatment
Although potassium levels in the body can be lowered by changing diet, the condition is still dangerous and requires emergency medical treatment. However, never try to treat it without a doctor's supervision, OK! In particular, your doctor may prescribe several types of medications and other treatment methods to re-balance your potassium levels. Whatever method of medical treatment you choose, make sure you only do it with the knowledge of your doctor.
Step 1. See a doctor immediately if you feel you are experiencing symptoms of hyperkalemia
In general, the most common symptoms that accompany hyperkalemia are weakness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate. If you experience one or more of them, immediately consult a doctor!
Because these symptoms can indicate another disease, see your doctor immediately for an examination, even if your potassium level is normal
Step 2. Remove potassium from your system using diuretics
For minor cases of hyperkalemia, taking diuretics or urine-producing drugs can help flush potassium out of your system and lower its levels significantly. If you receive a prescription from a doctor, don't forget to take it as directed.
- Usually, your doctor will ask you to drink more water while taking diuretics so that your kidneys can excrete more potassium.
- Your doctor may also give you a diuretic through an IV line.
Step 3. Take a potassium-binding medication to reduce its levels in your body, if prescribed by your doctor
If your hyperkalemia is acute enough, your doctor may prescribe medications to flush excess potassium from your system, such as potassium-binding drugs. If you receive the prescription, do not forget to take it according to the advice given by the doctor.
- Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate and patiromer are 2 types of drugs commonly used to bind potassium in the body.
- Generally, these drugs are produced in powder form. To take it, you need to first dissolve one dose of the drug in a glass of water, then take the drug solution according to the instructions.
Step 4. Use an IV line to get calcium, glucose, or insulin into your body
In more severe cases, doctors may need to pump one of the three substances, or a combination of the three, into the patient's blood through an IV tube to wash away excess potassium levels in them. In particular, your doctor may recommend this option if you need to quickly remove potassium from your body, such as if your symptoms of hyperkalemia are severe enough. Supposedly, this method is effective in normalizing your potassium levels.
- Most likely, you will have to go to the hospital for the treatment.
- After the treatment is complete, the doctor may still ask you to eat low-potassium foods to keep your health under control
Medical Overview
Excess potassium levels in the body are a medical problem that requires immediate medical attention. Therefore, immediately contact a doctor if you experience symptoms of hyperkalemia! After the examination, the doctor will most likely prescribe medication and ask you to eat a low-potassium diet. Follow the doctor's recommendations along with the treatment recommendations given by him so that the body's recovery process can take place optimally.
Warning
- Remember, serving size is a factor you really have to control. Even if you eat low-potassium foods, the levels in your body will still exceed the limit if you eat 3 servings of these foods, right?
- Since a reasonable amount of potassium is still needed to maximize your body's functions, don't completely eliminate it from your daily diet. Most likely, the doctor will also carry out periodic checks to make sure the potassium levels in your body remain adequate.
