Why Should Kidney Patients Restrict Coconut? | Coconut For Kidney Patient

Today in this video, Doctor Puru Dhawan will explain, why Kidney failure patients should restrict coconut in their diet.

The kidney plays a very important role in our body. Kidneys excrete all metabolic waste and keep the body clean. But when the kidney’s function gets affected by diabetes or high blood pressure, waste materials like creatinine, urea, and potassium start accumulating in our blood. These increased levels of waste material, especially creatinine, give an idea of how much your kidney is working, and that’s why high levels of creatinine are considered harmful. But only a few patients know that potassium is much more harmful than creatinine.

What happens when creatinine and potassium increase in the body?
When creatinine increases, the patient only suffers from muscle cramps, fatigue, and weakness like problems, but no significant damage happens. But when potassium rises, it can cause a heart attack.

What are the functions of potassium in our body?
When potassium is in the normal range, it gives muscles the power to move, expand and contract. But when potassium rises beyond the normal range, it causes muscle fatigue through contraction and expansion of the heart muscle. When potassium builds up, this tired heart can go into cardiac arrest if potassium levels go above seven.

Why should kidney failure patients avoid coconut water?
If a kidney failure patient consumes coconut water then potassium levels in the blood may increase because coconut water is rich in potassium. When the kidneys are not functioning well, they are not able to balance electrolytes in the blood. This increased potassium level makes the heart muscles fatigue and may cause death in kidney failure patients.

How can a patient control potassium intake?
Potassium is present in each and every food item, in some food items it is low and in some, it is plenty. So, a patient has to take only those food items that contain potassium either in a low amount or moderate.

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