Both potassium and phosphate are minerals found in most of the foods we eat. In the right amount, these minerals keep your nerves and muscles functioning well, and your bones healthy. However, too much of these minerals will wreak havoc in your body. When your kidneys are fine and dandy, they help keep these minerals in check. However, when you experience kidney failure, your kidneys won’t be able to filter them out, leading to a high build up of potassium and phosphate in your system.
High potassium levels in blood tends to lead to complications like body weakness, muscle cramps, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeats and worst of all, heart attacks.
High phosphate levels in the blood also increases the risk of you having weak and brittle bones, itching, as well as calcium deposits in blood vessels and organs in the body (which can lead to cancerous tumours and heart attacks).
When on dialysis
If you’re a dialysis patient, you should be extra aware of the types of foods which contain potassium and phosphate as your kidneys cannot do their job anymore. While everyone knows that bananas are rich in potassium, many are not aware that many other types of foods contain high levels of these minerals. Some foods are double dangers to a dialysis diet, containing high levels of both potassium and phosphate.
We’ve compiled a useful list of foods that are high in phosphate and potassium (and what you can substitute them with), so you can better self-manage your diet.
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Eating a renal diet will help you manage your chronic kidney disease well, and you’ll feel less tired, weak, and sick. Hopefully, this cheat sheet will help you on your way to a healthier, happier life. With that said, everyone’s needs are different, and kidney patients’ dietary needs may change depending on the stage of your kidney conditions. It’s always best to consult your renal dietitian before making changes to your dietary plan.
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