Important Warning from the Specialist: Attention to Salts Containing Potassium!

Stating that diabetes and hypertension developing due to nutrition and salt consumption can lead to kidney failure, Internal Diseases and Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı made important warnings. Drawing attention to salts containing potassium, Prof. Dr. Kantarcı explained that dialysis patients with kidney failure and organ transplant patients should definitely not use them.

Renal failure continues to be a major health problem both in Turkey and in the world today. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Internal Diseases and Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı pointed out that this number is increasing, especially among young people. Underlining that the most important factors in the emergence of the problem are the malnutrition and salt consumption, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı said that the wrong or excessive consumption of salt paves the way for many different problems from heart failure to hypertension as well as kidney failure.

'Not adding salt to food is not enough by itself'

Underlining that salt consumption is very important in kidney problems, especially on the road to kidney failure, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı also drew attention to some mistakes made in this regard. “In order not to be a candidate for kidney failure, first of all, we must eat right. At this point, salt consumption in the house is important. When I tell my patients 'don't consume salt', the patients say 'I don't add any salt to my food'. When I asked how the food was cooked; We conclude that a teaspoon or even a tablespoon of salt is added to a kilogram of vegetables. However, when using homemade or ready-made tomato paste, it is seen that the salt ratio is reached in high amounts. Therefore, adding salt to the food is not just the amount used at the table. However, it should not be forgotten that the most important additive in ready-made foods is salt. "

Control water consumption

Saying that it is necessary to pay attention to water consumption as well as salt in terms of kidney health, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı said that many people adopt a wrong behavior such as eating too salty to consume water. Prof. Dr. Kantarcı continued his words as follows: “Actually, consuming liquids is not just about consuming salty or increasing thirst. First of all, it is necessary to control drinking water. For example, a person weighing 60 kilograms should consume up to 30 liters of water per day, which is 2 milliliters per kilo. He warned, however, that people with heart failure, who are unable to urinate, or who have advanced kidney failure at the dialysis stage should be more controlled in their fluid consumption.

Watch out for potassium salts

Reminding that different uses such as rock salt and himalayan salt are used with the thought of being healthy, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı pointed out some points to be considered at this point: “The table salt we buy from the market is sodium salt. However, most of the salts bought from the pharmacy are potassium salt. Potassium salts, especially dialysis, organ transplant patients and people with advanced kidney failure should definitely not use. Because these can cause consequences that can lead to heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. For this reason, people with high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney failure should cook their meals without salt. Instead, he should use non-bitter spices such as mint, basil and rosemary, ”he said.

There are also exceptions

Reminding that some exceptions may occur with the drugs used, Prof. Dr. Kantarcı continued his words as follows: “An exception may be experienced if female patients at an advanced age, in menopause, are taking medication for depression along with them. Because in these cases, necessary controls should be made as salt loss may occur. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the amount of water and salt in communication with physicians. "