Affecting approximately 14% of adults in the United States, chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when progressive kidney damage impairs the organ’s ability to filter waste from the blood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Subsequently, this can increase the patient’s risk for hypertension, heart disease, and premature death.
While potassium is essential in supporting the health of our kidneys, CKD inhibits our kidneys’ ability to flush excess potassium from the body. When we accumulate too much potassium in our blood, this is known as hyperkalemia, explains Medical News Today. Those with the condition may experience an irregular heartbeat, muscle paralysis or weakness, or heart palpitations. To minimize these risks, people with kidney disease are often advised to stick to a low-potassium diet. The same is true for phosphorus, another mineral the kidneys struggle to filter out in cases of CKD. According to the National Kidney Foundation, an excess of phosphorus in the blood may progressively weaken bones and/or further impair kidney function.
