One of the things that people in early stage of CKD can do to protect their kidney is lower consumption of potassium. In many cases of stage 3 and 4, the kidneys may not be able to remove potassium and other minerals sufficiently. Here is an article on high potassium or Hyperkalemia: kidney.org/atoz/content/hyp...
I have found it can be difficult to find out how much potassium a food might actually have. I use My Fitness Pal, and often the information is incomplete, especially for potassium. I use other websites to always check to see what the potassium level is in a food if I do not know. For example, I love zucchini noodles and found out that a zucchini has more potassium than a banana. I use these two websites the most to check: ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/ and eatthismuch.com/.
Written by
Bassetmommer
NKF Ambassador
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thanks for the info and links. I was diagnosed recently with chronic hyperkalemia and now potassium is restricted in my renal diet. Since on diet the symptoms have decreased.
I find it amazing to see what and where potassium lurks. I would love to know what foods you enjoy and what ones you found that you did not think had potassium in it but actually do. I struggle with this more so than sodium now.
As I responded to orangecity41, this is why I have tried very hard to limit both potassium and phosphorous, along with sodium and protein. If I can't find the potassium or phosphorous level of a food, I usually do a search using the words potassium in ... or phosphorous in ... and if I search long enough and hard enough, I do usually find it. Also, Matea Ford has a 9 page list of sodium, potassium, phosphorous, protein, carbs and calories along with the food name and the portion the levels are based on. I have found this very helpful.
Thanks for the info. I also do my research on foods.
Remember that while potassium, phosphorous, sodium, protein, and calcium may harm your kidneys they should not be completely eliminated from your diet. Absolutely reduce but not eliminate them. Check with your Renal Dietitian after having a chance to look at your lab values and as often as you get new labs have the RD reevaluate your minimums if there are significant changes.
Thanks Mr K for good response. I find the menu tracker on Davita to be very helpful as can see where you are and be sure am getting enough nutrients. I found was not getting enough calcium.
Since I was diagnosed with CKD, I I have reduced my animal protein consumption. However, I, like others posting here, have become concerned about potassium. Should I be trying to eliminate or be blanching high potassium veggies? This CKD study seems to have successfully incorporated a high vegetable diet without any problem with elevated potassium levels. cjasn.asnjournals.org/conte...
I've never leeched potassium from anything but potatoes, and then only sweet potatoes about once or twice a month. For high potassium veggies, I avoid them. Several years ago, before knew I had CKD I had a high potassium count and it landed me in the ER. It was almost 18 months later before I was told I had CKD.
I've since educated myself and I refrain from eating veggies with high potassium.
What study are you referring to in your above post? Potassium is a concern if your labs demonstrate your potassium is elevated. Some people do not get hyperkalemic. I watch mine, but I eat a LOT of greens. But I do not eat potatoes or tomatoes in any form.
It is confusing to say the least. One website said zucchini is good for CKD, the next said it had more potassium than chicken. One thing I do is leech broccoli. I love it. so I soak it in hot water for an hour, drain it and then boil it. And drain it. So far my potassium has stayed stable. I am hoping they will say someday that potassium is half the level in plant based like they say now about phosphorous.
HI and thank you. I am always looking for information on potassium. This is what your article said: "Baseline plasma [K+], 8h urine K+ excretion, and urine fractional K+ excretion (calculated using cystatin C–estimated GFR) were not different between groups (Table 1). At 1 year, plasma [K+] was lower than its respective baseline in the HCO3 group but was no different in the fruits and vegetables group. One-year 8-hour urine K+ excretion was higher than its respective baseline in both the fruits and vegetables and HCO3 groups and was higher in the fruits and vegetables group than the HCO3 group"
However it states at the end: " Added fruits and vegetables did not induce hyperkalemia and, unlike NaHCO3, was associated with reduced systolic BP. "
And then it said: "Second, the fruits and vegetables group had increased urine K+ excretion, consistent with increased dietary K+ that is associated with BP reduction in individuals with hypertension."
Their bottom line statement: "Despite the benefits ascribed to fruits and vegetables, the associated increase in dietary K+ warrants caution in considering fruits and vegetables for individuals with low eGFR."
To me, this was inconclusive to the impact of potassium (K+) load on the kidney. It does not indicate exactly the amount of certain vegetables that were offered. It did include potatoes in the list, but not how much. This really was a study on metabolic acidosis.
But thanks so for the information and keep it coming.
It was indeed a study in on metabolic acidosis, but also a study on the nephroprotective role that fruits and vegetables can play in CKD. No, they didn't specify the quantity of fruit and vegetables consumed, but it did replace animal protein. Not surprisingly the fruit and vegetable group had an increase in urine potassium. That the study design excluded patients with a high risk for hyperkalemia would certainly warrant caution in prescribing a high k+ diet to CKD patients, particularly patients with a more severe loss of kidney function. If the kidneys were so impaired that they were not filtering k+ from the blood, it follows that there would be an increase in serum k+. which could be disastrous to a person at high risk for hyperkalemia. I think the studies conclusion was succinct.
"In conclusion, individuals with stage 4 CKD undergoing 1 year of dietary acid reduction with base-producing fruits and vegetables or oral NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) had higher-than-baseline plasma TCO2 (total carbon dioxide) and lower-than-baseline urine indices of kidney injury, consistent with improved metabolic acidosis and reduced kidney injury, respectively. Although fruits and vegetables did not increase plasma [K+], study patients were selected to be at low risk for hyperkalemia and clinicians should exercise caution in prescribing fruits and vegetables in patients with very low eGFR. Nevertheless, treating metabolic acidosis in individuals with stage 4 CKD due to hypertensive nephropathy with fruits and vegetables or NaHCO3 appears to be an effective kidney-protective adjunct to BP control with regimens including ACE inhibition." (Parenthetical entries and emphasis are mine.) There is also danger in low potassium. The kidneys , when functioning properly, keep potassium within a narrow range. A remarkable organ. At what point does it lose it's ability to maintain homeostasis when receiving a regular supply of easily processed nutrients?
I think your metabolic acidosis was due to another cause than CKD, and I believe it is being treated with NaHCO3 by a nephrologist. If it is working for you then you probably should stay with it. (I'm tired and going from memory here which isn't what it was 50 years ago. Please correct me if I err.) In my case, I have neither metabolic acidosis nor am I at high risk for hyperkalemia, and I'm at stage 3 not stage 4 as were the subjects in this study. I'm new at this CKD business. I have learned a lot from you and others in the last few weeks, and I am moving forward cautiously.
For kidney friendly helpful recipes, and other diet tips through our new online dietary tool “My Food Coach” please visit myfoodcoach.kidney.org/signin.
I'm new to this site. I'm CKD4 with an eGFR of 27-30. At age 77, my R ureter and kidney were removed due to TCC. The year before that, my bladder and prostate were removed due to CIS (carcinoma in situ). About 8% of us diagnosed with CIS will develop TCC, leading to removal of one or both kidneys. I've taken DaVita's "Kidney Smart" seminar 3 times now. DaVita provides an amazing package of information. My diet is mostly fresh vegetables and fruits. The two web sites you have provided give me additional tools. I wish all prepared foods listed sodium, potassium and phosphorous ON THE LABEL. Perhaps that will eventually happen. Again, thanks!
I agree , the information on labels need to include more. Potassium is supposed to be mandated in 2018 to included on the labels, but I have not seen it on all products.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Stage 5 CKD but potassium levels dropping
Experience with Low potassium Anyone?
Stage 5 CKD - foods to avoid?
Kidney Friendly Foods
High Potassium Level
