Diet gun

Hypokalemia is a low concentration of Potassium (K+) in the blood, below 3.5 mEq/L or mmol/L. (Normal values ​​4 to 4.5 mEq/L).

If the concentration of Potassium in the blood is less than 2.5 mEq/L then Hypokalemia is life-threatening.

Hypokalemia is the most common electrolyte disorder and is common in those who are hospitalized or institutionalized and in those who take diuretics for hypertension or heart failure.

Potassium in the human body is needed for the creation and propagation of electricity in the muscle cells of the heart, in the nerve cells, in the skeletal muscle cells, for the metabolism of cells (insulin secretion), for the reduction of blood pressure, participates in the acid-base balance, for the motility of the intestine, in the proper functioning of the brain, affecting memory and learning, participates in enzymatic activities (e.g. in the metabolism of carbohydrates), in the division of cells.

Hypokalemia affects the heart, muscles, the nervous system and the gastrointestinal system and causes exhaustion, muscle weakness, cramps, tremors, malaise, numbness, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, mental symptoms (e.g. confusion).

Chronic Hypokalemia increases blood pressure, strokes, reduces bone density, increases nephrolithiasis, causes hyperglycemia because it reduces insulin secretion.

The causes of hypokalemia are mainly increased loss from the kidneys (e.g. due to taking diuretics, cortisone, Cushing’s syndrome, kidney diseases, excessive caffeine intake, etc.), from the gastrointestinal tract (continuous vomiting or diarrhea, from using laxatives, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), from its movement into the cells (insulin administration in diabetic ketoacidosis, in alkalosis) and rarely from excessive sweating or reduced intake through the diet (e.g. in dementia, in anorexia nervosa, in a ketogenic diet because many foods containing potassium are excluded from the diet, such as potatoes and bananas, and potassium excretion from the kidneys increases due to decreased insulin levels).

The treatment of Hypokalemia is the correction of the cause that causes it, mainly by administering medication.

We can help with food but it should not be the sole treatment for hypokalemia, since the causes of hypokalemia are different from its reduced intake from the diet.

Foods that contain Potassium and may help reduce hypokalemia

Potassium is mainly found in the following foods:

Dairy products

milk, yogurt

Meat

beef, pork

Fish and seafood

salmon, herring, mackerel, snapper, mussels

Legumes

lentils, beans

Vegetables

zucchini, spinach, tomatoes, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Portobello mushrooms

Fruits

avocado, banana, orange, dried apricots, dried figs, raisins

Nuts

walnuts, almonds, peanuts

Carbohydrates

potatoes, sweet potatoes