Correct levels of potassium are fundamental for our bloodstream. To ensure any undesirable side-effects are avoided, a diet low in potassium ought to be eaten when levels need to be regulated because they are too high. On the other hand, a diet rich in potassium ought to be consumed when potassium levels fall too low.
What is potassium?
Potassium is a mineral which is in our bloodstream in significant levels. This mineral enables the regulation of another mineral, sodium, which is exceedingly significant for hydration control in the body.
Potassium is important in cleansing undesirable toxins from the body’s cells. In addition, it is crucial for:
- Maintenance of the appropriate blood pH
- Stimulation of insulation production
- Maintenance of digestive enzyme efficiency
- Ensuring the optimal functioning of nerves and muscles
You cannot work out your potassium levels yourself, it can be done only by means of a blood test. Potassium imbalance is frequently found when individuals demonstrate non-specific symptoms which can be related to the functions listed above. Usually potassium imbalance is discovered accidentally during a routine investigation with regard to another problem.
Too little or too high a potassium level is sometimes a slight problem necessitating minimal intervention. For some others however, potassium imbalance can cause life-threatening difficulties requiring urgent intravenous treatment to monitor the balance.
Low-potassium diet vs. high-potassium diet
In cases where a potassium imbalance can be affected by simply changing the diet, it can be presumed that the blood potassium level only slightly deviated from the normal level.
To improve and increase the level of potassium a suggested group of foods should be followed and the dietary intake of potassium-rich foods increased. Similarly, in a situation whereby potassium is found to be too high the exact same foods should be removed from the diet. Too high or too low scenarios can be corrected very rapidly.
What to eat and what to avoid
Here are some common foods that contain potassium. Should blood levels be too high and a low-potassium diet is needed, leave them out of your diet. Should a high-potassium diet be needed, just increase the intake of these foods.
First you have vegetables:
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
The second group consists of fruit:
- Apricots (dried)
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe melon
- Grapefruit
- Kiwifruit
- Oranges
- Strawberries
The third group is rich in potassium:
- Cod
- Halibut
- Soy beans
- Pinto beans
- Kidney beans
- Natural yogurt
The majority of potassium-rich foods are fruit and vegetables.
