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Suggest Diet To Keep Sodium And Potassium Levels In Body Under Control

Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2015

Question: My mother's sodium level is low (130) while potassium is high (5.3).Please advise what foods she can take to balance these salts level?

Answered by Dr. Raju A.T (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Maintain good hydration

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Addition of extra salt to the foods would help here. This will take care of both low sodium and also high potassium. Once the sodium levels reach to normal the potassium levels too come down.

You can also take Potassium binders like Sodium polystyrene sulfonate e.g. Kayexalat which bring down the potassium and improve sodium levels. Do consult your treating doctor for the prescription.

Very important of all this is to maintain good hydration. This will remove excess of potassium and bring up sodium.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Raju A.T (6 hours later)

Thanks for your response. Are there any specific foods which are rich in potassium that we can avoid?

Answered by Dr. Raju A.T (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Banana and tender cocnut

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

There is no strict restriction as intestines do not absorb potassium when there is more in the blood.

Anyway its better to avoid banana and tender coconut which are very rich in potassium.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar