General Description
Potassium is an electrolyte mineral that is essential in the human
diet. Among its numerous functions in the body, potassium helps
regulate blood pressure, water balance, acid balance, and muscle
and nerve cell function. Supplemental forms of potassium include
potassium salts (such as chloride and bicarbonate), chelates (aspartate,
citrate, gluconate, etc.), and food-based sources.
Food sources
Potassium is found in a wide variety of foods, with fresh fruits
and vegetables being the richest sources. Meat, fish, and dairy
products are also significant sources.
Health applications
Deficiency symptoms
Symptoms of potassium deficiency include muscle weakness, bloating,
weak breathing, and heart abnormalities. Because potassium is
abundant in various foods, overt potassium deficiencies are rare,
found mostly in people who have excessive potassium loss due to
diarrhea, vomiting, diuretic use, or profuse sweating. Potassium
supplements can be helpful for repleneshing depleted levels.1
Hypertension
The balance of potassium and sodium in the bloodstream plays an
important role in regulating blood pressure. Because high sodium-to-potassium
ratios can contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure), reduction
of sodium intake is commonly recommended for hypertensive patients
in order to improve sodium-potassium balance. Increasing potassium
intake can also improve the sodium-potassium ratios in people
with high blood pressure, and several studies have shown significant
reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive subjects who took
potassium supplements.2-7 Population studies
indicate that increasing daily potassium consumption may reduce
the risk of stroke by as much as 40 percent.8
Dosage/toxicity
The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for potassium is 3,500 mg per
day for adults and children over four. Intake of 5.6 grams per
day is considered safe. Excess potassium is normally excreted
in the urine, so toxic accumulations are rare. People with kidney
disease may need to limit potassium intake because of the kidneys'
inability to remove excess potassium from the system. Symptoms
of potassium toxicity include diarrhea, numbness, and weakened
heart and respiratory function. Potassium supplements may have
harmful interactions with some prescription drugs, including many
blood pressure-lowering drugs. If you are taking prescription
medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking potassium
supplements. |
