Potassium is a mineral found in various foods, especially milk, fruits, nuts and vegetables. It controls nerve and muscle functions. The most important muscle?the heart?beats at a normal rhythm because of potassium. In addition to this potassium is necessary for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and pH level.

For potassium to perform these functions, blood level should be maintained between 3.5 and 5.5 mEq/L. Healthy kidneys keep the required amount of potassium in the blood to keep the heart beating at a steady pace. Potassium levels if too high or too low can be dangerous. It may even lead to death.

How to detect high potassium levels?

High potassium levels in blood are called hyperkalemia. This may occur in patients in advanced stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). When the kidneys fail, the excess potassium is no longer removed building up its level in the blood.

Some of the symptoms of high potassium are:

• nausea
• weakness
• slow pulse
• irregular heartbeat
• heart failure
• sudden death

For people suffering from last stage renal disease or ESRD, dialysis is necessary to help regulate potassium. Dialysis is effective at removing excess potassium from the blood. Between dialysis treatments, however, potassium levels tend to rise. Because of this, high potassium foods must be restricted so potassium levels do not get too high before the next treatment.

People with certain kidney problems and weak kidney are suggested a low potassium diet. These diets help to lower the amount of potassium in blood. They also maintain normal muscle and heart function. High potassium can lead to irregular heartbeats and even cause the heart to stop beating.

• Cook frozen fruits and vegetables in water; rinse and drain before serving.
• Liquid should also be drained from canned fruits and vegetables and rinsed before serving.
• Potatoes should be peeled, sliced thin, and soaked in water for at least 4 hours before rinsing and cooking. Leafy green vegetables like collards, spinach, and kale should also be soaked for at least 4 hours and rinsed well before cooking. This helps to lower the amount of potassium in these foods.
• You must be cautious to check labels for words that include potassium, such as potassium chloride, to avoid potassium hidden in foods.
• Try and avoid salt substitutes; most of them contain potassium.
• Limit foods with high potassium contents.
• Use only herbs and spices or seasoning mixes which contain little or no potassium.
• Limit milk intake to 1/2 cup a day. This intake should include all types of milk, buttermilk, yogurt and ice cream.

There are literally hundreds of different diets. Explore all of the different diets at:
http://www.allthedifferentdiets.com