The mineral potassium aids in regulating the nerve and muscle functions of your heart, skeletal and digestive systems. Potassium also serves as an electrolyte that conducts electricity to regulate cellular functions. Your kidneys regulate potassium levels and any excess or unused potassium gets filtered out and removed from the body in your urine. If you have kidney disease, however, too much potassium in your body can become life-threatening.
Safe Potassium Intake
Healthy adults are advised to consume 4,700 mg of potassium per day. The Institute of Medicine sets no tolerable upper intake level for potassium because adverse effects from high dietary intake have not been reported in healthy individuals. Excess consumption of potassium supplements exceeding 18 g in one dose may increase the risk of toxicity, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. Additionally, if you have kidney disease exceeding the daily adequate intake for potassium increases the risk of insufficient elimination and the accumulation of toxic levels of potassium in the blood, or hyperkalemia.
Safe Potassium Levels and CKD
Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to filter toxins and waste from the blood. Contributing factors in the development of chronic kidney disease includes complications with diabetes, high blood pressure and autoimmune disease. Patients with CKD get monthly blood potassium levels to ensure safe levels. According to the National Kidney Foundation, if your potassium measures 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, you are in a safe range. A measure of 5.1 to 6 mEq/L is the caution zone and a measure of 6 mEq/L or above is toxic and dangerous.
Dietary Potassium For Healthy Individuals
Fruits and vegetables are amongst the foods highest in potassium but depending on serving size it is also rich in dairy, nuts and meat. Foods with 200 mg or more of potassium per serving include bananas, raisins, plums and grapefruit, potatoes with skin, beets, beans and broccoli, or yogurt, tuna and salmon. Sunflower seeds, almonds, soy milk and ground beef also contain high levels of potassium per serving. A well-balanced diet including a variety of fruits and vegetables can supply you with safe daily intake of potassium.
Leaching to Reduce Potassium
The National Kidney Foundation recommends leaching the potassium out of your favorite vegetables to reduce your potassium intake. Leaching is the process of pulling potassium out of the item by soaking it in water for two hours before cooking the vegetable. Take the raw vegetable and if applicable peel the skin off. If you prefer, slice the vegetable to 1/8-inch thickness, rinse, then soak the vegetable in warm water for two hours. Use 10 times the amount of water to the amount of vegetable during soaking. Remove the vegetable from the soak, rinse it under warm water, then cook it in five times the amount of water to the amount of vegetable.
References
- American Association of Kidney Patients; Managing Your Potassium Intake; How Much is Too Much?; Sharon Turban, MD; 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute: Potassium; Jane Higdon, PhD; 2004
- Ohio State University Medical Center; Foods High in Potassium; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium
- National Kidney Foundation: Potassium and Your CKD Diet
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