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Low Potassium Food Tips

Potassium is one of the most important minerals in the body. Potassium is not produced naturally in the body, so most of what you have comes from your diet. It is found in most of the foods you eat and can help improve many body processes, such as digestion, heart rhythm, blood pressure regulation, water and pH balance, and normal muscle and nerve function.

Despite the many great benefits of this electrolyte, consuming too much of it can cause serious health problems. These problems may be long-term or short-term. High potassium content in the blood can serious problems in the heart and other body organs. Kidney problems, for example, can be worsened by having too much potassium in the body. Doctors often recommend diets that are low in potassium to help with the management of kidney problems and to prevent other health complications.

One of the best reasons for planning your low potassium diet with a nutritionist is that they don’t only tell you what to eat, they tell you how much to eat.

How much potassium should you take on a low potassium diet?

According to the National Kidney Foundation [1], a potassium content of about 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L of blood is generally considered safe. Concentrations between 5.1 and 6.0 mmol/L are considered elevated, but concentrations beyond 6.0 mmol/L are high and dangerous.

The amount of potassium in a healthy American diet is usually between 3,500 to 4,000 mg daily. Most healthy men and women need around 3,400 mg and 2,600 mg of potassium daily, respectively. To achieve a low potassium diet, especially if you have kidney problems, you need to reduce this number to about 2,000 mg per day. A dietician or doctor will often recommend specific dietary amounts to match your health requirements. But if you’re looking for ideas on how to maintain a low potassium diet, this article will guide you.