New Delhi, July 3 (IANS). In case of kidney disease and dialysis, it is very important to take care of diet. When the kidneys do not function properly, many minerals that are normally excreted through urine are not able to be excreted from the body. The most important element among these is potassium. This is the reason why patients on dialysis are advised to consume every food item thoughtfully.
Dialysis is a life-saving process in which waste products and excess minerals are removed from the blood with the help of a machine. Under normal circumstances, the kidneys maintain the balance of potassium in the body, but when the kidneys fail or become severely weakened, this balance gets disturbed.
The condition of increased potassium in the body is called hyperkalemia in medical language, which can have a serious effect on the heartbeat. In many cases this condition can also be fatal. For this reason, doctors advise patients to take potassium controlled diet.
Capsicum is generally considered a mild and safe vegetable. According to medical nutrition data, about 170 to 180 mg of potassium is found in 100 grams of raw green capsicum. In red capsicum this quantity can be slightly higher, i.e. around 190 to 210 mg, whereas in yellow capsicum also this level remains almost the same. By comparison, this amount is considered lower than many other vegetables and fruits, so it is classified as a low-potassium food.
Along with this, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and many types of antioxidants are found in capsicum, which can help in protecting the body cells from damage and reducing inflammation.
If we talk about dialysis patients, then according to experts, it is advised to consume it in limited quantity only. It can be eaten in small quantities as a side vegetable, but it should not form a major part of the main meal. The condition of every patient is different, hence before adopting any diet, consultation of a doctor or dietitian is considered necessary.
If a patient also takes tomatoes, potatoes or other high-potassium vegetables along with capsicum, the total potassium in the body may increase. For this reason, dietitians often advise considering the balance of the entire diet.
–IANS
PK/ABM