Patient Education

Potassium

What is Potassium? It is a mineral and an electrolyte found in your body that is responsible for many of its functions. One of those functions is to work with the muscles in your body including your heart. Those suffering with kidney disease are at a higher risk for their potassium levels to be either too high or too low. The amount of potassium your body needs is based on how well your kidneys are working and what medications you are taking. This is why it is vital to monitor your potassium intake when living with kidney disease.

Because your body does not produce potassium naturally. It is important to consume the right balance of potassium rich foods and beverages to prevent Hyperkalemia (too high) and Hypokalemia (too low). While consuming fruits and vegetables are healthy choices, high-potassium foods can raise your blood potassium to a critical level, placing you at risk for sudden cardiac death. Following a high or low potassium diet is one way to maintain your goal levels.

What are some low potassium fruits?

Berries- blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries (cranberry juice)
Apples (1 medium) or apple juice
Cherries
Grapes or grape juice
Pineapple or pineapple juice
Mandarin oranges
Grapefruits (1/2)
Watermelon (1 cup)
Tangerine
Peaches (1 small)
Fruit cocktail (1/2 cup drained of liquid)

What are some low potassium vegetables?

Peas
Green beans
Alfalfa sprouts
Wax beans
Cabbage (green or red)
Kale
Lettuce
White mushrooms (raw)
Cucumbers
Onions
Parsley
Peppers
Rhubarb

What are high potassium fruits?

Bananas
Avocados
Cantaloup melon
Honeydew melon
Tomatoes
Guavas
Kiwi
Pomegranate
Apricots (fresh and dried)
Oranges
Mangoes
Papaya
Plums

What are some vegetables high in potassium?

Beet greens
Lima beans
Potatoes
Swiss chard
Acorn squash
Spinach
Bok choy
Sweet potatoes
Brussel sprouts
Zucchini
Broccoli
Artichokes
Asparagus

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
https://www.myfooddata.com/

Diabetes

What is Diabetes? It is a metabolic, long-lasting disorder that affects how your body turns food into energy. The body breaks down almost all the food you consume into glucose (sugar) which then gets released into the bloodstream. A rise in blood sugar signals your pancreas to release insulin which is like a key for letting blood sugar into your body’s cells to use in the form of energy. When someone is diabetic, their body doesn’t make enough insulin and too much sugar stays in the bloodstream. Longstanding elevated glucose levels cause serious health problems over time such as kidney disease, heart disease, and vision loss. To date, there is no cure for diabetes, but it is manageable with a healthy diet, losing weight, medications, and being physically active.

There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes (forms during pregnancy).

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body attacks itself by mistake, destroying your body’s ability to produce insulin. The body needs insulin to allow sugar (glucose) to enter the body’s cells to produce energy. Type 1 diabetes has no cure, so treatment is managing the amount of sugar in the blood using insulin and diet to prevent further complications.
Type 2 diabetes results from insufficient regulation and use of sugar as fuel. This chronic disease is a result of too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. This will eventually lead to other diseases involving the circulatory, nervous, and immune system.
Gestational diabetes develops for the first-time during pregnancy. Generally, after giving birth, your blood sugar returns to its usual level. It is important to note that if you have had gestational diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

It can be very overwhelming to know what you can and can’t eat as a diabetic. To keep it as simple as possible, your goal should always be managing your blood sugar levels. Your diet plays a major role in preventing and managing diabetes. See below for some healthy food options for those living with diabetes.

Healthy Options:

Fatty fish- salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies, and mackerel are superior sources of omega-3 fatty acids which also has heart health benefits.
Avocados – even though it is a fruit, it has less than 1 gram of sugar. Avocados are high in fiber, and healthy fats.
Leafy greens – spinach, kale and other leafy green are excellent source of minerals, vitamins, and are low in digestible carbs so they won’t significantly affect your blood sugar levels.
Eggs – may improve insulin sensitivity and may reduce heart disease risk.
Beans – rich in B vitamins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. They are also low on the glycemic index.
Chia seeds – low in digestible carbs, but extremely high in fiber which doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. They may help to control your weight because their high fiber content will reduce hunger and leaves you feeling full longer.
Greek yoghurt – contains high levels of calcium, protein and conjugated linoleic acid (a type of fat) which helps to keep you feeling satisfied for a longer period of time.
Nuts – researchers have found that consuming nuts may reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar levels. Nuts such a walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios are all great choices for lowering the risk of heart disease and death.
Broccoli- one of the most nutritious vegetables you can eat to manage your blood sugar levels.
Extra virgin olive oil – oleic acid contained in the oil, a type of monounsaturated fat, may improve glycemic management. Oleic acid may also stimulate the fullness hormone GLP-1.
Strawberries – are one of the fruits that are low in sugar and have robust anti-inflammatory properties that may improve insulin resistance.
Garlic – contains manganese, vitamin B6, selenium, and fiber. All which help to improve blood glucose management while regulating your cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Food to avoid:

Processed grains – pasta, white bread, and rice can all increase blood sugar levels.
Sugary drinks – soda, energy drinks, sweet tea should be avoided to prevent sugar levels from spiking.
Fried foods – as delicious as it is, fried foods contain a lot of trans fat. Increasing the risk of heart disease and weight gain. Neither of which are beneficial to a diabetic.
Alcohol – if consumed on an empty stomach alcohol may increase the risk of low blood sugar. These drinks should be enjoyed on a limited basis.
Fruit juice – you can enjoy a fruit beverage that contains 100 % real fruit juice, but do so in moderations. It is better to eat the fruit to reap the benefits of the fiber which are absent in the juice.
Processed meats- bacon, hot dogs, salami, and cold cuts are all high in sodium, preservatives and other ingredients that are not beneficial to your health. Consuming these may increase your risk of heart disease.
Candy – has a high glycemic index (high sugar) which are likely to increase the chance of sugar spikes and crashes after you eat it.

Sodium

What is Sodium? It is a mineral and electrolyte essential for life. It is naturally present in small amounts in many different foods including vegetables. Sodium is often mistaken for salt, which is a mixture of sodium and chloride. Like salt, too much sodium is your diet has been linked to health issues such as hypertension and heart disease.

What is a low sodium diet mean? It means that no more than 2,300 mg of sodium should be ingested. Ideally being less than 1,500 mg per for adults. It is important that patients suffering from diseases such as Hypertension, learn how to cut back on salt.

What are the health benefits of reducing salt consumption pertaining to kidney and hypertension? Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease should adhere to their physician’s recommendations regarding reducing salt intake. Sodium interferes with kidney function and affects fluid volume, proteinuria, and immunosuppressant therapy. A low sodium/salt diet can help to lower blood pressure over the long term. When too much sodium is in your system this causes water retention in the bloodstream. Over the course of time the extra volume of blood can stress and stiffen blood vessels. This causes the heart to work harder to maintain blood flow. Lowing sodium intake can reduce the risk of heart attend and stroke.

How can you manage your daily sodium intake?
Here are some methods to use:

Plan your meals- planning as many of your meals in advance so that you are not reaching for a fast food option containing high levels of sodium.
Eat Fruits and vegetables low in sodium. Fruit – Bananas, Melons, Grapes, Apples, Oranges/Citrus. Vegetables- All fresh and frozen no salt added vegetables, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, kale.
These are just a few of the many delicious and healthy options for you to choose from. For more information see the links listed.
Avoid high sodium foods like – Store bought canned soups, salty snacks, breads, salted nuts and seeds, salted butter.
Pay attention to your food labels for sodium content.
Avoid adding salt to your meal when dining out.
Do your research before consuming any foods when in doubt.
Discuss your low sodium diet with your physician.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common condition affecting the body’s arteries. It occurs when there is a consistently high pressure of blood pushing against the artery walls. This causing the heart to work harder pumping blood throughout the body. Untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart issues, stroke, and heart attack, and chronic kidney disease. Getting your blood pressure checked at your doctor visits can give you an idea of where your blood pressure is and should be. If your blood pressure is high, your may need to visit your doctor more frequently.

The positive takeaway is, that it is the most preventable risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and CKD. Following a heart-healthy diet, getting enough exercise, taking blood pressure medications, and eating heart healthy foods.

Best foods for Hypertension:

Citrus fruits – fruits such as grapefruits, oranges, limes, and lemons are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that may help to keep your heart healthy. Reducing the chance of heart disease and other risk factors like hypertension.
Fatty fish- salmon is the most known fatty fish containing omega-3 fats, which have major heart health benefits.
Swiss chard- packed with potassium and magnesium which are powerful blood-pressure-regulating nutrients.
Pumpkin seeds – these tiny seeds have a concentration of magnesium, potassium, and arginine (amino acid essential for blood pressure reduction). The oil from pumpkin seeds are reported to be a natural remedy for reducing high blood pressure.
Beans and lentils – legumes rich in fiber, magnesium, and potassium to lower blood pressure.
Pistachio nuts – consuming this highly nutritious nut has been shown to assist with the management of healthy blood pressure levels.
Carrots – eating carrots raw maybe more beneficial than consuming them cooked. Vital nutrients such as phenolic compounds, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, and caffeic acids can be lost or diminished during the cooking process.
Tomatoes and tomato products – have lycopene which has been linked to beneficial effects on heart health and improves blood pressure.

What to avoid?

High salt content foods.
Processed meats and foods – deli meats have high amounts of salt to preserve the meats.
Pickles and other preserved foods – preserving liquids are high in sodium and the longer the food stays in the liquid the more sodium it will absorb.
Canned soups and vegetables- contain extremely amounts of sodium which can elevate your blood pressure. Try to look for low sodium options.
Frozen pizza and dinners – the typical ingredients in a frozen pizza means that it is high in sugar, saturated fats, protein (cheese), and sodium. It would be advisable to making home made pizza, so that you can control the ingredients like salt and sugar.
Alcohol – if you have high blood pressure, it is advisable to speak with your physician to get an idea of the appropriate amount of alcohol to consume. Keep in mind that alcohol may hinder the effectiveness blood pressure medications. In addition, alcohol is extremely high in sugar which may cause weight gain leading to an increased risk of hypertension.