Nutrition & Dialysis

Keeping Potassium in Balance

Potassium is one of the electrolytes needed to regulate heartbeat, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions. It is also involved in maintaining fluid and acid-base balance.1 When kidney function is compromised, potassium can rise to dangerous levels (hyperkalemia), causing nausea, weakness, and a slow pulse.
Dialysis removes potassium from the blood—but having too little potassium (hypokalemia) can cause muscle weakness, cramping, and fatigue.1
Nepro with CARBSTEADY® is low in potassium (250 mg / 8 fl oz) and provides a portion of your recommended daily potassium intake (1950-2730 mg potassium per day for people on dialysis).2,3 Your healthcare professional can help you determine your potassium intake goals, which foods are good choices for you, and which foods should be avoided.

Poor potassium choices4

  • Bananas, prunes, raisins
  • Baked potatoes with skin, lima beans, acorn squash, cooked spinach, artichokes
  • Molasses

Good potassium choices5

  • Apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pineapples
  • Alfalfa sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, kale, peppers, yellow squash, zucchini squash
Potassium tips
  • Pay attention to serving sizes and potassium content in foods
  • Limit high-potassium foods5
  • Discard the liquid from canned fruits and vegetables, or the juices from cooked meat5
  • Remember that consuming a large amount of low-potassium food can add up to high-potassium intake5
References:

1. Lewis, JL. Overview of Potassium’s Role in the Body. Merck Manuals website. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/overview-of-potassium-s-role-in-the-body. Accessed May 14, 2018.

2. Cano N, et al. Clin Nutr. 2006;25(2):295-310.

3. Fouque D, et al. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2007;22(suppl 2):ii45-ii87.

4. Higdon, J. Potassium. Linus Pauling Institute website. http://lpi.oregon-state.edu/mic/minerals/potassium. Accessed May 14, 2018.

5. Potassium and Your CKD Diet. National Kidney Foundation website. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/potassium. Accessed May 14, 2018.

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