Plant-based diets do not increase the risk of hyperkalemia -Shedir Pharma
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Millions of people all over the world suffer from hyperkalemia every year. Hyperkalemia is a medical issue that occurs when the level of potassium in your body is higher than normal. Although potassium is an important element in the body and it helps the nerves and muscle cells carry out their function properly, excess of it in the body can lead to Hyperkalemia. Moreover, other diseases such as chronic kidney diseases, a condition where the kidney is unable to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood also lead to hyperkalemia.
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Over the years, many people believe the plant-based diet leads to serious complications in patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases because of the high percentage of potassium present in it. However, research has proven that a plant-based low protein diet is safe for patients with hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease. The study also explains that the diet is not associated with high hyperkalemia common in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. In fact, there are different ways in which a plant-based diet can benefit patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperkalemia.
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The benefits include reduction of constipation, prevention of gut dysbiosis, metabolic acidosis, and many more. Although vegetables are high in potassium, however not all do. Therefore, all you have to do is to know the ones to eat and the ones you can incorporate into your diet.
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It prevents constipation Constipation occurs when there is an infrequent bowel movement in the body which makes stools difficult to pass and this often happens due to poor diet or underlying disease. For patients suffering from hyperkalemia, constipation is often rampant. Therefore, patients are advised to be on a low protein plant diet.
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It stops gut dysbiosis Gut dysbiosis is a microbial imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract. It often leads to diarrhea, digestive disturbance, and bloating. Severe gut dysbiosis causes abdominal cramping, constipation, and many more. People with hyperkalemia often suffer from gut dysbiosis and it’s often prevalent in chronic kidney disease.