Most talk about reducing sodium in the diets, but now the shift is to increase potassium intake and change the potassium-to-sodium ratio, to be much healthier.

Plant-based diets contain sources of potassium, which has many benefits but can be fatal for people with kidney disease if the level of potassium in their blood spikes, a condition known as hyperkalemia.

In the United States, more than 3 million patients are living with hyperkalemia. People with conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) or heart failure are at highest risk for hyperkalemia.

Individuals, in whom the kidneys are not functioning properly and are not able to remove excess potassium, may not be able to maintain a plant-based diet because of the risk for hyperkalemia.

One should eat a diet that contains at least 4700 mg of potassium per day if you have normal, healthy functioning kidneys.

However, most people with moderate to severe CKD or acute kidney injury should eat less than 2000 mg of potassium per day.

New data support an individualized approach to potassium restrictions, indicating that some individuals may be able to tolerate more potassium in their diet despite CKD, especially when the source of the potassium is factored in.

Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables may be better tolerated and cause less risk for hyperkalemia than meats and processed foods.

With the new potassium binders, there may be opportunities to consume more fresh fruits and vegetables, even in people with CKD.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA