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

Kidney failure continues to be an important health problem both in Turkey and in the world today. According to statistics, 1 out of every 10 people in the world and 1 out of every 7 people in Turkey have kidney failure. Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital Internal Medicine 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 not eating right and consuming too much salt, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı remarked that salt to be consumed incorrectly or excessively paves the way for many different problems from heart failure to hypertension as well as kidney failure.

“Not Adding Salt to Meals Alone Is Not Enough”

Underlining that salt consumption is of great importance in kidney problems, especially in the path of renal 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, we must first eat right. At this point, salt consumption in the house is important. Adding salt to the meal is not only the amount used at the table. However, it should not be forgotten that salt is the most dangerous additive, especially in ready-made foods.”

Make Water Consumption Controlled

Stating 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 turning to an overly salty diet to consume water. Prof. Dr. Kantarcı continued as follows:  “In fact, consuming liquids is not only about consuming salty or increased thirst. First of all, you need to control the drinking of water. For example, a person who weighs 60 kilograms should consume up to 30 milliliters of water per kilogram, that is, up to 2 liters per day. However, people with heart failure who are unable to urinate or who have advanced renal failure at the dialysis stage should be more controlled in their fluid consumption.”

Beware of Potassium Salts!

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

Exceptional Circumstances

Reminding that there may be some exceptions with the drugs used, Prof. Dr. continued: “An exception can be made if female patients in menopause are using depression medications at an advanced age. Because in these cases, necessary controls should be made as the salt loss may occur. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to adjust the amount of water and salt in communication with physicians."

Press Coverage: cnnturk | milliyet | cumhuriyet | gazetevatan | aksam | sabah | mynet | msn | haberler | haber7