7/27/2019 The Importance of Potassium.docx

1/3

Potassium

Overview

Potassium is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs inthe human body. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body, along

with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays

a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive

and muscular function. Many foods contain potassium, including all meats, some types of fish(such as salmon, cod, and flounder), and many fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Dairy products

are also good sources of potassium.

Having too much potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia; having too little is known as

hypokalemia. Keeping the right potassium balance in the body depends on the amount of sodium

and magnesium in the blood. Too much sodium -- common in Western diets that use a lot of salt

-- may increase the need for potassium. Diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, malnutrition,malabsorption syndromes (such as Crohn's disease) can also cause potassium deficiency, as well

as use of a kind of heart medicine called loop diuretics.

Most people get all of the potassium they need from a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

Older people have a greater risk of hyperkalemia because their kidneys are less efficient at

eliminating potassium as they age. Older people should be careful when taking medication thatmay affect potassium levels, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ACE

inhibitors (see section on Interactions).

Whatever your age, talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements.

Bone Health

Studies show a positive link between a diet rich in potassium and bone health, particularlyamong elderly women, suggesting that increasing consumption of foods rich in potassium may

play a role in osteoporosis prevention. More research is needed to determine whether a diet high

in potassium can reduce bone turnover in people.

Hypokalemia

The most important use of potassium is to treat the symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium),

which include weakness, lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, an irregularheartbeat, and an abnormal EKG (electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart function).Hypokalemia is usually caused by the body losing too much potassium in the urine or intestines;

it's rarely caused by a lack of potassium in the diet. Hypokalemia can be life threatening and

should always be treated by a doctor.

High Blood Pressure

7/27/2019 The Importance of Potassium.docx

2/3

Some studies have linked low levels of potassium in the diet with high blood pressure. And there

is some evidence that potassium supplements might cause a slight drop in blood pressure. Other

studies show that increasing potassium intake reduces the risk of dying from cardiovasculardisease. Researchers suspect this is largely due to potassium's blood pressure lowering effects.

But not all studies agree -- 2 large studies found no effect on blood pressure. It may be that

taking potassium helps lower blood pressure only if you're not getting enough of this mineral tostart with. Before taking potassium or any supplement for high blood pressure, talk to yourdoctor.

Stroke

People who get a lot of potassium in their diet have a lower risk of stroke. However, potassiumsupplements don't seem to produce the same benefit.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

People with IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) often have trouble absorbing nutrientsfrom their intestine, and may have low levels of potassium and other important nutrients. If youhave IBD, your doctor may check your potassium levels and recommend a supplement.

Dietary Sources

Good sources of potassium include bananas, citrus juices (such as orange juice), avocados,

cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, flounder, salmon, cod, chicken, and other meats.

Available Forms

Several potassium supplements are on the market, including potassium acetate, potassiumbicarbonate, potassium citrate, potassium chloride, and potassium gluconate. Supplements are

available in tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets, powders, and liquids.

Potassium can also be found in multivitamins.

How to Take It

Potassium supplements, other than the small amount included in a multivitamin, should be taken

only under your doctor's supervision. Do not give potassium supplements to a child unless your

doctor prescribes it.

Adequate intake of potassium from dietary sources are listed below:

Pediatric

Infants birth - 6 months: 400 mg/day Infants 7 months - 12 months: 700 mg/day

7/27/2019 The Importance of Potassium.docx

3/3

Children 1 -3 years: 3 grams (3,000 mg)/day Children 4 - 8 years: 3.8 grams (3,800 mg)/day Children 9 - 13 years: 4.5 grams (4,500 mg)/day

Adult

Adults 19 years and older: 4.7 grams (4,700 mg)/day Pregnant women: 4.7 grams (4,700 mg)/day Breastfeeding women: 5.1 grams (5,100 mg)/day

Source:Potassium | University of Maryland Medical Center

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9

University of Maryland Medical CenterFollow us:@UMMC on Twitter|MedCenter on Facebook

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9http://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=UMMChttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=UMMChttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=UMMChttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=MedCenterhttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=MedCenterhttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=MedCenterhttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=MedCenterhttp://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=cAFxnsppar35PradbiUt4I&u=UMMChttp://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/potassium#ixzz2gaBiRix9