Potassium

Potassium, sodium, and chloride are intricately related electrolytes—mineral salts that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. Electrolytes are always found in pairs. A positively charged molecule like potassium or sodium is always accompanied by a negatively charged molecule like chloride. This is why they are intricately related. Every cell has a sodium-potassium pump which actually pumps sodium out and potassium into the cell. If sodium is not pumped out, water accumulates in the cell and causes it to burst. The pump also helps maintain the electrical charge within the cell. This is very important to muscle and nerve cells, and explains why a potassium deficiency affects muscles and nerves first.

Potassium is the most important of the three because it is also essential for converting blood sugar into glycogen, the storage form of blood sugar in the muscles and liver. A shortage of potassium results in lower levels of stored glycogen, which can hinder exercise due to the rapid depletion of energy. A potassium deficiency produces great fatigue and muscle weakness, the first signs of potassium deficiency.

Excessive fluid loss through sweating, diarrhea or urination is a common cause of potassium deficiency. Athletes, people who regularly exercise, or those working in warm environments can lose up to three grams of potassium a day through perspiration. Diuretic medicines, which are designed to rid the kidneys of excess fluid and help sodium, can also cause potassium deficiencies. Where sodium goes, potassium does too, and so potassium needs to be replenished.

The proper potassium and sodium balance in food is important, as is the proper balance of potassium and sodium consumption. One of the most common problems is too much sodium in the diet, thus disrupting the balance. A great many studies demonstrate that a low-potassium, high-sodium diet plays a major role in the development of cancer and cardiovascular disease. A diet low in sodium and high in potassium, not surprisingly, protects against these diseases.

Though low potassium levels are associated with high blood pressure, it is not clear if higher potassium levels regulate it.¹ Sodium restriction alone will not improve blood pressure control in most people. It should be accompanied by a high potassium intake. Most Americans ingest twice as much sodium as potassium mostly through prepared foods. Researchers recommend a dietary potassium-to-sodium intake of greater than 5 to 1 to maintain health, a level that is ten times higher than the average intake. To insure that enough potassium is being received, a natural diet rich in fruits and vegetables high in potassium is strongly recommended.

1 Supplemental dietary potassium reduced the need for antihypertensive drug therapy. Nutr Rev 1992;50:144-145; and Langford H: Sodium-potassium interaction in hypertension and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Hypertension 1991;17(Suppl I):I155-I157.

• Avocados
• Bananas
• Chard
• Citrus fruits
• Juices grapefruit, tomato, orange
• Lentils, dried
• Milk
• Molasses
• Nuts almonds, Brazil, cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts
• Parsnips
• Peaches, dried
• Potatoes
• Raisins
• Sardines, canned
• Spinach, fresh
• Whole-grain cereals

Available as:

• Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• Potassium is not recommended for children.
• Some forms are available by generic name.
• Found in various forms: Potassium Acetate/ Bicarbonate/Citrate (This combination is also called trikates), Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate/Chloride, Potassium Bicarbonate/Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Chloride/ Bicarbonate/Citrate, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Gluconate/Chloride, Potassium Gluconate/Citrate, Potassium Gluconate/Citrate/Ammonium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, and Potassium/Sodium Phosphate.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

PROVEN BENEFITS:

• Promotes regular heartbeat.
• Promotes normal muscle contraction.
• Regulates transfer of nutrients to cells.
• Maintains water balance in body tissues and cells.
• Preserves or restores normal function of nerve cells, heart cells, skeletal-muscle cells, kidneys, stomach juice secretion.
• Treats potassium deficiency from illness or taking diuretics (water pills), cortisone drugs or digitalis preparations.

What this mineral does:

• Potassium is the predominant positive electrolyte in body cells. An enzyme (adenosinetriphosphatase) controls flow of potassium and sodium into and out of cells to maintain normal function of heart, brain, skeletal muscles, normal kidney function, acid-base balance.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS:

• Cures alcoholism.
• Cures acne.
• Cures allergies.
• Cures heart disease.
• Helps heal burns.
• Prevents high blood pressure.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• People who take diuretics, cortisone drugs or digitalis preparations.
• Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements.
• Older people (over 55 years).
• Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
• Women taking oral contraceptives.
• People who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
• Tobacco smokers.
• People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
• Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical activities, especially when endurance is an important aspect of the activity.
• Those with part of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed.
• People with malabsorption illnesses .
• Those with recent severe burns or injuries.
• Vegetarians.

Miscellaneous information:

• Normal potassium content is reduced when foods are canned or frozen.
• Avoid peeling food.
• Avoid cooking food in large amounts of water.
• Keep meat drippings and use as gravies.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

• Hypokalemia
• Weakness, paralysis
• Low blood pressure
• Life-threatening, irregular or rapid heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest and death¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

• Acne
• Allergies
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

• Serum-potassium determinations (may be unreliable unless levels are very low)
• Serum creatinine
• Electrocardiograms
• Serum-pH determinations
• Whole blood, sublingual cell smears
• Red-blood-cell potassium level determinations¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

Optimal Levels

• 1875-5625 mg.

Minimum Dosage

No RDA has been established. Nutritionists recommend a decrease in sodium (table salt) intake and an increase in foods high in potassium for a total daily intake of 40 to 150 milliequivalents per day

Don't take if you:

• Take potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone, triamterene or amiloride.
• Are allergic to any potassium supplement.
• Have kidney disease.

Consult your doctor if you have:

• Addison's disease.
• Heart disease.
• Intestinal blockage.
• A stomach ulcer.
• To use diuretics.
• To use heart medicine.
• To use laxatives or if you have chronic diarrhea.
• To use salt substitutes or low-salt milk.

Over age 55:

• Observe dose schedule strictly. Potassium balance is critical. Deviation above or below normal can have serious results.

Pregnancy:

• No problems expected, except with megadoses.

Breast feeding:

• Studies inconclusive on harm to infant. Consult doctor about supplements.
• Don't take megadoses.

Effect on lab tests:

• ECG and kidney function studies can be affected by too much or too little potassium.
• None expected on blood studies, except serum-potassium levels.

Storage:

• Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of the mineral.

Others:

• Take with meals or with food.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

Signs and symptoms:

Irregular or fast heartbeat, paralysis of arms and legs, blood pressure drop, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest.

What to do:

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS.
• For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Call emergency services, the telephone operator or your nearest Poison Control Center. If person's heart has stopped beating, render CPR until trained help arrives.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

• Tobacco decreases absorption. Smokers may require supplemental potassium.
• Alcohol intensifies gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Cocaine may cause irregular heartbeat.
• Marijuana may cause irregular heartbeat.
• Salty drinks, such as tomato juice and commercial thirst quenchers, cause increased fluid retention.
• Coffee decreases potassium absorption and intensifies gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Low-salt milk increases fluid retention.
• Salty foods increase fluid retention.
• Sugar decreases potassium absorption.¹

1 From Griffith HW, Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements.

©2009 65InAmerica.com