COP30: Loss and Damage Fund opens for proposals
The first startup phase of the Fund for Loss and Damage was officially announced on Tuesday in Belem, marking a major milestone in operationalizing one of the most anticipated climate finance mechanisms. The Fund has now invited developing countries to submit proposals for support.
In Nepal, all accredited entities under the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Green Climate Fund (GCF) are eligible to apply. According to Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, efforts are underway to encourage both national and international organizations based in Nepal to apply and secure funding as soon as possible.
Among the eligible national entities are the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and NIMB Bank. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is a recognized regional entity, while international organizations such as the UN agencies, WWF, IUCN, ADB, and the World Bank can also apply.
Speaking at the event, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell expressed determination for COP30 to deliver another major step forward in global climate action. “Every year I’m asked how I feel about the COP. And the answer is that I am determined,” Stiell said. “We are not starting from nothing—the Paris Agreement is delivering real progress. For the first time, global emissions are bending downward.”
He highlighted that the latest Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) could reduce emissions by 12 percent by 2035, a development he described as “a big deal.” Stiell emphasized that every fraction of a degree avoided will save millions of lives and billions of dollars in climate damages.
He further noted that renewable energy has now overtaken fossil fuels in global investment and surpassed coal as the world’s leading energy source. “Policies once unthinkable are now rippling through markets, and change is becoming unstoppable,” he said, calling clean energy “the greatest economic opportunity of this century.”
However, Stiell warned that despite real progress, global heating is already inflicting devastating impacts worldwide—from typhoons in the Philippines to hurricanes in the Americas. He urged countries to “accelerate in the Amazon,” stressing that the COP process must remain focused on people and the tangible benefits of climate action. “We will only win the fight against the climate crisis if all people in all nations can get a fair piece of the epic benefits,” Stiell said. “Now it’s time to hit the accelerator—for people, prosperity, and the planet.”
Adaptation has grown more important as countries fail to rein in climate-warming emissions enough to prevent extreme warming linked to increasingly frequent weather disasters across the planet. A UN report last month said developing countries alone would need up to $310bn every year by 2035 to prepare.
Where that money will come from is unclear. Ten of the world’s development banks, under pressure to free more cash for climate action, said on Monday they would continue to support the need. “Lives, well-being and jobs cannot be sustained where homes, schools, farms and businesses are under threat from flooding, drought, or other climate extremes,” the banks said in a statement. Last year, they channeled more than $26bn to low- and middle-income economies for adaptation.
Also, in the latest development, Ethiopia said it would host the COP32 in 2027. The more immediate choice of host for next year’s COP31 remains unresolved. Both Australia and Turkey are vying for it.
Nepal’s struggle to reduce plastic waste continues
As air pollution continues to choke the Kathmandu Valley, concerns over another major environmental crisis—plastic waste are mounting. Despite a series of ambitious government pledges to eliminate single-use plastics, implementation remains ineffective, and the problem is only getting worse.
Nepal first announced a ban on plastic bags in 2015, aiming to reduce non-biodegradable waste and protect major rivers. According to the government’s official gazette published on 1 April 2015, the production, import, sale, and use of plastic bags smaller than 20 inches wide, 35 inches long, and thinner than 40 microns were prohibited within the valley. The decision came into force on 14 April 2015, with plans to extend it nationwide. For a brief moment, the effort seemed successful—many citizens began carrying reusable bags, and plastic use in city markets visibly declined.
However, the devastating earthquake in 2015 and the subsequent Indian blockade derailed the momentum. The government’s focus shifted toward disaster relief and survival logistics, and plastic bags once again flooded the market. Relief efforts relied heavily on plastic packaging, further entrenching its use. In the years that followed, plastic bags made a full comeback, undermining years of environmental advocacy.
Since then, the government has made the same promise multiple times. In its annual budget speech for the fiscal year 2021/22, then Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel declared a complete ban on plastic bags thinner than 40 microns. This was the third such announcement by the federal government. “I have made arrangements to use cotton, jute or paper bags instead of plastic bags in all business houses including shopping malls and department stores,” Paudel stated, adding that companies replacing old plastic manufacturing machines would receive grants.
Yet, like previous declarations, the enforcement never materialized. Industrialists remained largely silent, with some expressing doubts about the feasibility of such a ban. Even the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) had pledged to make the city plastic-free within a year in its 2019/20 policy plan. That commitment, too, was abandoned without a single round of market monitoring.
Implementation efforts have been repeatedly hindered by external and internal factors. Apart from the 2015 disasters, protests by plastic industrialists and legal challenges have struck enforcement. In 2018, a writ petition filed at the Supreme Court by Explore Nepal Pvt. Ltd. temporarily halted the new ban. The court issued an interim order preventing the government from implementing its decision, leaving plastic production and use unchecked once again.
The Department of Environment’s monitoring drives have also been inconsistent. Local governments and district offices have often turned a blind eye to ongoing violations, making the ban little more than a paper directive. In 2023, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration once again announced a ban on plastic bags below 40 microns. The ministry’s secretary, Krishna Hari Pushkar, urged citizens to stop using thin plastic bags and called on all levels of government to enforce the rule.
According to a 2020 World Bank report, Nepal generates an estimated 4,900 tons of solid waste each day, with plastic waste accounting for about 13 percent of the total. According to the Waste Management Baseline Survey 2022, plastic accounted for 12 percent of household waste, 21 percent of institutional waste, and 22 percent of waste generated by commercial establishments. Yet, no tangible progress followed the 2023 announcement either.
According to a 2024 World Bank report, Nepal generates around 60,000 tons of plastic waste annually, with a significant portion—nearly one-third—ending up in rivers that eventually flow into India and Ocean. Globally, about 8bn tons of plastic have accumulated in oceans, making the water increasingly acidic and threatening aquatic life. This pollution also affects the planet’s oxygen cycle, as oceans produce nearly 50 percent of the Earth’s oxygen, which is now under threat.
Environmental expert Ujjwal Upadhaya explains that globally, around 360m tons of plastic are produced each year, of which about 1m metric tons end up producing daily. When a plastic is formed, 6.1kg carbon emission is produced.
Upadhaya further noted that studies in Brazil found microplastic particles in the brains of 33 deceased individuals, highlighting serious global health concerns. Similar research has yet to be conducted in Nepal. He added that the average person in Nepal carries an estimated 15 grams of microplastics in their body.
Moreover, the open burning of plastics releases dioxin gas, one of the most toxic pollutants, which remains concentrated at low altitudes, directly harming both humans and animals.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) also announced a ban on the open burning of waste and plastic materials to curb worsening air pollution during the winter months. According to the KMC Environment Department, the decision aims to reduce environmental and health risks linked to smoke and toxic emissions from burning plastics. Department Chief Sarita Rai emphasized that offenders will face a fine of Rs 10,000 per violation, noting that air pollution in the Valley spikes each winter due to widespread open burning. The ban prioritizes protecting vulnerable populations—especially children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. To ensure effective enforcement, KMC has launched awareness and monitoring campaigns under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Act, 2020, and the Fiscal Act, 2025.
Plastics pose significant threats not only to the environment but also to public health. There are seven main types of plastic, each with distinct uses, recyclability, and health impacts. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is commonly used in water and mineral bottles and can be recycled; however, once recycled, it should not be reused for drinking purposes as it may release harmful chemicals. Recent tests even found 75–85 units of microplastic particles in some water jars, raising serious health concerns.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), found in shampoo and detergent bottles, is recyclable and safer for reuse in non-food products. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), used in plastic wraps and carry bags, is also recyclable but often poorly managed in Nepal. PP (Polypropylene), used for grain sacks (bora), bottle caps, and food containers, can be recycled if proper facilities are available.
However, MLP (Multi-Layered Plastic)—commonly seen in chips and instant noodle packets—is known as “ugly plastic” because it is non-recyclable and harmful to both human health and the environment. Chemicals from such packaging can leach into food, posing risks especially to children, and Nepal currently lacks a system to monitor food packaging quality. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), used in pipes and wires, is difficult to recycle and releases toxic gases when burned. Finally, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), found in toys and electronic products, is one of the most hazardous plastics, as it is non-biodegradable and can release toxic substances that endanger both humans and animals.
Upadhaya said, “Burning of these plastics releases microplastics into the air, which we inhale. Some particles can enter the olfactory bulb—the part of the brain responsible for smell—potentially increasing the risk of brain strokes. Microplastics also travel down to the lungs, affecting vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart.” He also said that when the body tries to cope with such damage, it can trigger the development of cancer, which ultimately harms our health.
According to a report by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, plastic does not biodegrade but breaks down into microplastics—particles less than 5 millimeters in size. These have been found everywhere, from the depths of the oceans to Antarctic snow, and even inside human lungs and bloodstreams.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has confirmed microplastic traces in human organs such as the liver, kidneys, and placenta, raising alarm over potential health consequences. Similarly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that carcinogenic chemicals from plastics can leach into tap water, posing severe risks to human and ecological health.
Upadhaya said, “At present, Nepal mainly consumes salt imported from the ocean, which contains around five grams of microplastics per kilogram. People who regularly eat seafood tend to have even higher amounts of microplastics in their bodies.” He also noted that plastic pollution contributes to urban flooding by blocking drainage systems. According to him, “We cannot live without plastic, as it has become part of every aspect of our lives. However, the key is to reduce the use of the most harmful types, such as ABS plastic, and ensure that any plastic produced is properly recycled and responsibly disposed of.”
Recycling has often been promoted as a solution, but the challenges are alarming. Contamination from food residue, high processing costs, and limited infrastructure make large-scale recycling inefficient in Nepal. It reduces landfill waste, conserves natural resources like petroleum, prevents environmental contamination, and decreases marine pollution. Recycling also mitigates microplastic formation and promotes public health by reducing exposure to toxic substances.
Experts argue that government policy alone cannot solve the plastic crisis. Consumers must adopt more sustainable habits—using reusable shopping bags, avoiding over-packaged goods, and participating in recycling programs. Supporting eco-friendly businesses and community-led recycling initiatives can also foster long-term change. Sangita Tamang, a grocery shopkeeper said she is compelled to use plastic bags despite knowing their environmental impact. “Clothes bags are expensive, and customers don’t want to pay extra for them,” she explained. “People are willing to pay for reusable bags in big malls, but when small shopkeepers like us charge for them, they accuse us of trying to make more money. So, we are forced to keep using plastic bags,” she added with a note of frustration.
The number of animals consuming plastic waste is also on the rise, as many ingest it unknowingly and die as a result. Upadhaya cited an example from the National park, where wild animals died after choking on plastic. He explained that plastic pollution not only harms land animals but also affects aquatic life, leading to a decline in fish populations. This, in turn, impacts the livelihoods of people who depend on fishing. Species such as the gharial and dolphin are also declining as their food sources diminish due to increasing plastic contamination in rivers and water bodies.
Globally, plastic production has skyrocketed—from 1.5m metric tons in 1950 to 359m metric tons in 2018—with between 4.8 and 12.7m tons ending up in oceans annually, according to PlasticsEurope.
Several organizations in Nepal including Doko Recyclers, Khalisisi, Upcycle Nepal, and Eco Sathi Nepal are actively promoting recycling and sustainability. Through their initiatives, they aim to reduce waste and encourage environmentally responsible habits. However, their efforts alone are not enough. True change requires collective action—every citizen must understand the importance of sustainability, adopt eco-friendly practices, and help raise awareness to protect the environment for future generations.
By minimizing plastic use and promoting recycling, communities can move toward a cleaner and healthier environment. Moreover, a cleaner environment free from plastic waste greatly enhances overall quality of life. Upadhaya said that by minimizing the production of toxic plastics, we can slowly reduce the risk of the plastic. Recycling also plays a vital role in reducing environmental contaminants and fostering sustainable, healthy communities where people can live and thrive in harmony with nature. Nepal’s repeated failures to enforce its plastic bans reveal deep systemic weaknesses—from political will and industrial pressure to inadequate alternatives and public awareness. Strict enforcement, providing viable alternatives, and mobilizing citizens toward behavioral change. Without such collective effort, Kathmandu’s rivers, air, and soil may continue to bear the brunt of plastic pollution for generations to come.
Dhole, lioness and a polity on the brink
Nature, in its raw complexity, offers more than ecological insight; it serves as a diagnostic mirror for human governance. In this piece, I, a field researcher at the University of Basel on governance and sustainability sciences, aim to draw parallels between the behavioral patterns of Dhole (the Asiatic wild dog, locally known as Bwanso) at Nepal’s Dhorpatan hunting reserve, predatory behavior of Nepal’s political institutions and a polity on the brink.
Based on my field research at the reserve, I can say that the Dhole’s surplus aggression, killing beyond necessity, barking without cause and obsessively marking territory reflects a drive for dominance untethered from survival.
Oversexed during the mating season (mating occurs up to 40 times a day), the lioness shows erratic shifts in her behavior. She growls and signals a breakdown in cooperative dynamics with her lion. These instinctual cycles of excess, fatigue and territorial assertion are not merely biological curiosities; they metaphorically shed light on the behavioral pathology of Nepal’s political institutions in chaos for over three decades.
A vicious cycle
Since Nepal’s political shift in 1990, governance has been under the domination of the Nepali Congress, UML/its factions and later the Maoists, each contributing to institutional decay. The Maoist insurgency, launched in the 90s with the promise of inclusion and anti-corruption, brought immense human, private properties and infrastructural losses but failed to deliver stated reforms. Successive governments engaged in corruption, enabled capture of public properties and weakened state institutions.
Leaders such as Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai, Jhalanath Khanal, and late Girija Prasad Koirala presided over regimes marked by impunity and performative politics. Oli, now UML chairman and a multi-term Prime Minister, increasingly defies institutional norms, positioning himself as a national savior while his party cadre applaud his witty lines.
The bureaucracy has become a pawn for political groups, and public trust in this institution has eroded. Nepal’s political culture driven by dominance, exhaustion and erratic behavior mirrors the chaotic aggression of the lioness and the dhole. Lavish attention has led political figures to mistake flattery for stature, much like the donkey who, after receiving undue praise, believed itself to be a lion.
Economic paradoxes
The Ministry of Finance reveals that in 2023-24, Nepal’s total public debt (domestic and external combined) stood at Rs 2,434.57bn, rising to Rs 2,664.42bn in 2024-25, a 9.4 percent annual increase. Public revenue in 2024-25 totaled Rs 1,196.19bn, against a national budget of Rs 1,860.3bn.
Expenditures reached Rs 1,512.98bn, achieving an execution rate of 81.33 percent. Of this, current expenditures consumed most of the budget, while capital spending (18 percent) lagged far behind, reflecting a chronic inability to implement developmental projects effectively. On the trade front, imports reached Rs 1,841.20bn, dwarfing exports of only Rs 277bn.
Remittance increased 19.2 percent and the total amount reached by Rs 1723.27bn in 2024-25, constituting 28.22 percent of the GDP. The GDP increased modestly from Rs 5,705.10bn in 2023-24 to Rs 6,107.22bn in 2024-25, with agriculture contributing 25.6 percent, industry 12.4 percent, and services 62.2 percent. The overall economic growth rate of 4.61 percent is insufficient to absorb the expanding labor force or sustain developmental ambitions.
Despite modest growth, Nepal’s structural economy remains severely distorted. Infrastructure across economic, social and environmental sectors is deteriorating. The tourism industry continues to suffer from unreliable and costly connectivity systems. Domestic airfares remain disproportionately expensive, discouraging travel. Agricultural stagnation persists due to poor input supply, inadequate processing facilities, technologies and weak market linkages, despite heavy public spending. Each year, approximately half a million Nepalis enter the labor market, yet the domestic economy generates very few viable jobs.
Consequently, labor migration remains the default escape, with an additional 250,000 renewing their work permits annually. The economy, therefore, is sustained not by innovation or productivity but by remittances. This condition stands in stark contrast to the insights of the 2025 Nobel Laureates in Economic Sciences: Prof Peter Howitt, Prof Joel Mokyr, and Prof Philippe Aghion, who emphasises innovation-driven growth and institutional dynamism as the foundation of sustained prosperity that Nepal has already missed.
Myth of a directly elected chief
Nepal’s political economy is deeply compromised by state capture, corruption and impunity conditions that have galvanized the GenZ movement. The electricity billing crisis exemplifies systemic injustice: while industrial elites evade payment through litigation, ordinary citizens face disconnection after brief delays. Illicit invoicing and bribery further erode the tax base and institutional capacity.
GenZ activists have exposed the stark contrast between the opulence of political leaders with private gyms, swimming pools, stock of imported liquors, hoarded cash and the deprivation in rural communities lacking basic social/economic infrastructure, health, education and maternal care. Their call to bring the “Lion/Lioness and the Dhole to justice” reflects a broader demand for governance reform.
Among their proposals, the push for a directly elected executive has sparked debate. While the appeal for decisive leadership is understandable, Nepal’s fragile state institutions, uneven education and diverse social fabric and wrongful political fragility make a directly elected executive risky. Without strong institutional checks and balances, the state could slide into totalitarian and authoritarianism. The crisis is not merely government structural but rooted in moral hazard, as political actors manipulate democratic processes for personal and political group gains.
Nepal must first restore institutional integrity with strong checks and balances before mulling over a directly elected executive. The immediate priority is doing away with corruption, which is thriving due to the involvement of political groups and their leaders, and rebuilding public trust.
A moral and institutional renewal
Nepal’s salvation does not lie in adopting a new executive model but in undertaking a rigorous, impartial legal reckoning against widespread and unchecked corruption. The nation must confront the rooted networks of political and bureaucratic corruption that have hollowed out governance and state institutions. Only through the prosecution and removal of corrupt political leaders and officials, and the restoration of ethical governance can Nepal build a sustainable path toward peace, justice, inclusive development and prosperity.
Until then, the nation’s political stage will continue to resemble the wild drama of the lion/lioness and Dhole marked by instinct, exhaustion and unrestrained appetite, rather than by reason, discipline and the pursuit of common goods.
How vital is Potassium to your body?
Potassium? You may have heard of it, but you cannot put your finger on it. Physicians advise taking 3,500 to 4,700 mg of potassium daily. The World Health Organization (WHO), too, recommends an intake of 3,510 mg per day. Hang on, this does not mean you pop a potassium pill into your mouth every day! Plenty of foods are rich in this mineral compound to help you meet your daily requirements.
For our bodies to function correctly, we need a diverse range of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water. They are essential for the growth of our bones, flesh, and organs, and for maintaining body metabolism. Moreover, we need them to keep diseases at bay and maintain overall good health. Potassium, as a macro-mineral, fulfills one of those essential nutrients.
Mineral electrolyte
Electrolytes are essential minerals found in blood, sweat, and urine. Minerals such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium form the electrolytes our body needs.
An electrolyte imbalance in the body occurs when we lose fluids due to persistent vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or fever. Other causes include: Medications such as steroids, diuretics, and laxatives.
Surprisingly, the fluids in your body—such as blood, sweat, and plasma—account for nearly 80 percent of your body's potassium requirement, while your bones and liver store the rest.
Biomedical scientists explain that Potassium, as an agent, regulates fluid balance in our bodies and controls the electrical activity of the heart and body muscles. In short, it helps the cellular and electrical functions of our body. Potassium helps our nerves function, our muscles contract, maintain a regular heartbeat, and pump nutrients into our body cells while removing waste products.
As a mineral electrolyte, this wonderful compound helps reduce the high sodium content in our bodies. It is said to minimize the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and the formation of kidney stones. It supports cardiovascular health, safeguards muscle mass, and preserves bone mineral density.
Potassium deficiency
Surprisingly, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USA), in a survey called NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), revealed a mind-boggling fact: in the United States alone, a whopping 98 percent of people fail to meet the daily requirement of 3,500 to 4,700 mg of Potassium.
Catherine Collins, a dietician at St George's Hospital, Tooting, London, sheds light on Potassium by saying, “We use it to help generate an electrical charge which helps the cell function properly. It helps keep your heart rate steady, it helps trigger insulin release from the pancreas to help control blood sugars, and more importantly, keeps blood pressure in check.”
When the potassium level in our blood is low, it's called hypokalemia. The common symptoms of hypokalemia are fatigue, malaise, muscle aches/cramps, digestive disorders, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular palpitation, numbness of body parts, and breathing problems, among others.
Severe potassium deficiency occurs when an adult's potassium level falls below 3.6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). In such cases, apart from the symptoms mentioned above, other symptoms may include low blood pressure, paralysis (resulting from muscle weakness), and respiratory failure. A simple blood test can give you your exact potassium level.
Lima beans
The role of the kidneys. Rabin Nepali: While researching this write-up, I met Dr Rabin Nepali, who kindly explained the role of the kidneys in potassium regulation. To quote Dr Rabin: “The dietary intake of potassium ranges from less than 35 to more than 110 mmol/day in US adults.” “Despite this widespread variation in intake, homeostatic mechanisms serve to maintain plasma potassium precisely between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L. In a healthy individual at steady state, the entire daily intake of Potassium is excreted, approximately 90 percent in the urine and 10 percent in the stool.”
“More than 98 percent of total body potassium is intracellular, chiefly in muscle. The rapid exchange of intracellular Potassium with extracellular Potassium plays a crucial role in maintaining plasma potassium within such a narrow range; this is accomplished by overlapping and synergistic regulation of a number of renal and extra-renal transport pathways.”
“So, kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining a steady state in potassium metabolism, by excreting excess potassium or reabsorbing it as required by the body.” (Dr Rabin Nepali, DM Nephrology, Asst. Professor, Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu).
Food and not supplements
Yes, do not get taken in by supplements, even when they sound tempting. There are one too many that you can buy over the counter. Go for dietary sources instead. There is an abundance of food rich in Potassium. Not processed food, though, as they are high in sodium.
Doctors of medicine argue that natural diets rich in Potassium are key to a lower risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney stones, and osteoporosis. Our daily foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, fruits, nuts, and vegetables, not only provide various nutrients but also serve as excellent sources of Potassium.
Avocado
Beverages such as milk, coffee, and other nonalcoholic drinks also contain a liberal amount of Potassium. Let’s take a look at the following chart:
Among the foods highest in Potassium are beet greens, white beans, soybeans, and Lima beans. The benefits of Potassium include:
Blood pressure and cardiovascular health
Today, hypertension or high blood pressure has become a commonplace health problem among old and young alike. If not addressed on time, it can lead to grave complications like stroke and heart disease.
Sodium, also known as salt, is closely linked to high blood pressure, and doctors recommend reducing salt intake. Now, Potassium is said to neutralize to a great extent the adverse effects of sodium. Our kidneys play a crucial role in regulating our blood pressure. They regulate the amount of fluid stored in our bodies to maintain a steady state. High blood pressure is associated with increased fluid volume in our bodies. Eating a potassium-rich diet helps counteract the effects of sodium and enables the kidneys to restore balance, ultimately lowering blood pressure to a healthy level.
Clinicians believe a diet high in Potassium can help cut systolic blood pressure by more than 10 points in people with high blood pressure. Talking about heart health, according to the WHO, 17.9m people worldwide die of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and others. Four out of five CVD deaths fall under heart attacks and strokes.
WHO recommends increasing potassium intake from foods (not refined foods) to reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and coronary heart disease. Potassium helps reduce vascular calcification, which is the formation of mineral deposits on the walls of our arteries and veins. These mineral deposits form plaques, thereby increasing the risk of stroke and blood clots.
A scientific study carried out by medical experts found that “those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49 percent lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared with those who consumed about 1,000 mg per day.”
Diabetes
Diabetes has turned into a global problem. The soaring prevalence of diabetes has burgeoned as “the epidemic of the century.” Once considered most common among older people, it now affects younger adults as well, owing to sedentary lifestyles and poor diets. According to the IDF (International Diabetes Federation), in 2017, the global number of adults with diabetes remained approximately 425m (20-79 years). IDF further stated that by 2045, the figure could reach a staggering 629m.
Studies made by health care professionals have come to new findings that lower levels of Potassium in the body are also associated with a higher risk of diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at a high risk of ESRD (kidney failure or end-stage renal disease) and CVD (cardiovascular disease), both of which can result in life-threatening complications.
A study by Dr Shin-ichi Araki and several of his co-researchers in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that diets rich in Potassium may help protect heart and kidney health in patients with type 2 diabetes. The experiment included 623 Japanese people with type 2 diabetes. The trial ran from 1996 to 2003 with a median follow-up period of 11 years. The results showed that higher levels of Potassium in participants' urine were associated with a lower risk of renal dysfunction and cardiovascular problems.
Bone and muscle maintenance
A diet high in Potassium is closely related to bone health. Potassium-rich foods generate alkali in the body to maintain acid-base balance. A high intake of protein-rich or acidifying foods, such as meat, dairy products, and processed cereals, can lead to acidosis, which can have adverse effects on our bones and muscles.
Metabolic acidosis leads to increased nitrogen excretion, resulting in loss of bone mineral density and muscle wasting. On the other hand, potassium-rich foods like vegetables and fruits help neutralize the adverse effects of acidosis buildup in our bodies. Older people, too, benefit from eating potassium-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, which preserve their muscle mass and enhance bone density as well.
Caveat
The intake of Potassium, as prescribed by a health care professional, is very beneficial to our overall health. Care should be taken, however, not to exceed the recommended daily dose of 4,700mg. Individuals with no health problems can easily eliminate excess amounts through their urine with no adverse effects. Food-related potassium toxicity is considered a rarity, but excessive consumption can lead to a complication called hyperkalemia. Our body cannot do without Potassium. However, it does not need to be in excess. The kidneys come to the rescue and reject the unwanted Potassium from the blood.
In kidney disease, excess Potassium can be dangerous because the kidneys fail to remove it, leaving it in the blood. Following this can have grave results, even life-threatening ones, and the condition is called hyperkalemia. All health care providers always advise against a high intake of Potassium, especially in patients who have dysfunctional kidney problems and are on supplements. Potassium levels between 5.1 and 6.0 mmol/L are considered high and need immediate consultation. Levels higher than 6.0 mmol/L are dangerous.
Beetroots
Bottom line
Diet, not supplements, is the best source of Potassium to meet your body’s requirements. “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.” Those words were said by the ancient Greek founder of Western medicine, Hippocrates of Kos, during the Classical Greek period in the 5th century BC. No further words sound true right to this day. Eat right, stay healthy!
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the above text are solely research-based, and the dietary information cited does not constitute any medical advice. The author solicits the reader’s discretion and cross-references or consultations with a healthcare practitioner for further substantiation.
