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Potassium
Potassium is a chemical element in the
periodic table that has the symbol K (L. kalium) and atomic number 19.
The name potassium comes from potash the source it was first isolated
from.
Potassium nutrition
and physiology around the concept that the low potassium always present
in arthritis and usually in heart disease should be relieved.
Potassium is found in several different forms, including Potassium
Chloride—the most common form. It has many functions in the body such as
playing a role in protein synthesis and for the conversion of blood
sugar in to glycogen (sugar). It triggers a number of enzymes, namely
those concerned with energy production. Potassium also stimulates normal
movements of the intestinal tract. The average human body contains about
140 g of potassium.
How it Works in Your Body:
- 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
- Potassium is the predominant positive electrolyte in body cells. An
enzyme (adenosine triphosphatase) controls the flow of potassium and
sodium into and out of cells to maintain normal function of the heart,
brain, skeletal muscles and kidney, and to maintain acid-base balance.
- May treat
alcoholism
- May treat
acne
- Possible allergy remedy
- Possible heart disease cure
- May help heal burns
- May prevent
high blood pressure
- May be beneficial in preventing kidney stone formation
- May combat
fatigue and mood swings in early menopause
- People who use diuretics, cortisone drugs or digitalis preparations
- Anyone without an adequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or with
increased nutritional requirements
- People over 55 years old
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Women taking oral contraceptives
- People who abuse
alcohol, tobacco or other substances
- People with a chronic wasting illness
- Those under excess stress for long periods
- Anyone who has 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 disorders
- Those with recent severe burns or injuries
- Vegetarians
Where it is Found:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Asparagus
- Molasses
- Avocados
- Nuts
- Bananas
- Parsnips
- Beans
- Peas (fresh)
- Cantaloupe
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Raisins
- Chard
- Salt substitute
- Citrus fruit
- Sardines, canned
- Juices (grapefruit, tomato, orange)
- Spinach, fresh and boiled
- Milk
- Snapper, grilled
- Prunes
- Pistachios
- Peanuts
- Ham
- Melon
- Green peas, boiled
- Barely
- Beef
How to Use:
Dilute in at least Ѕ glass of water or another liquid. Take with meals
or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless otherwise advised by your
physician.
Available as:
Oral solution
Recommended Daily Intakes:
Suggested Intake: 2000-5000 mg
Men: 2000 mg
Women: 2000 mg
Cautions:
Do not take if you:
Take potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone, triamterene.
or amiloride
Have allergies to any potassium supplement
Have kidney disease or are taking drugs which cause the kidney to retain
potassium
Are dehydrated
Have heat cramps, ulcers
Consult your doctor if you have:
- Addison’s disease
-
Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Intestinal blockage
- A
stomach ulcer
- Take diuretics
- Take heart medicine
- Take laxatives or if you have chronic
diarrhea
- Use salt substitutes or low-salt milk
Over 55:
Carefully watch your dosage schedule; it is critical to maintain balance
of potassium levels in the body. Deviation above or below normal levels
can have serious implications.
There is a greater risk of hyperglycemia.
Pregnancy:
There are no problems expected, however consult your physician before
use.
Breastfeeding:
Studies on risks to infants is inconclusive. Consult your physician
about taking supplements
Storage:
Keep in a cool and dry location and away from direct light, but do not
freeze.
Keep safely away from children
Do not keep in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and dampness may alter
the action of the mineral.
Others:
Take with food.
Symptoms of Deficiency:
Hypoglycemia
Weakness, paralysis
Low blood pressure
Irregular or rapid heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest and death
Overdose:
Signs and symptoms : What to do?
Irregular or fast heartbeat, paralysis of arms and legs, blood-pressure
drop, convulsions, coma, cardiac arrest : Discontinue use of mineral.
Call your physician immediately.
Accidental
Overdose:
Dial emergency or call your closest Poison Control
Center for immediate attention. In the event the person’s heart stops
beating, render CPR until trained help arrives
Lab tests
for deficiency detection:
Serum-potassium determinations
Serum creatinine
Electrocardiograms
Serum-pH determinations
Effect on
lab tests:
ECG and kidney function studies can be affected by too much or too
little potassium.
No effect is expected on blood studies, except serum-potassium levels.
Side Effects:
Signs and symptoms : What to do?
Black, tarry stool : Seek emergency treatment.
Bloody stool : Seek emergency treatment.
Breathing difficulty : Seek emergency treatment
Confusion : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician immediately.
Diarrhea : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician immediately.
Extreme fatigue : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician when
convenient.
Heaviness in legs : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician when
convenient
Irregular heartbeat : Seek emergency treatment.
Nausea : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician when convenient.
Numbness in hands or feet : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician
when convenient.
Stomach discomfort : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician when
convenient
Tingling in hands or feet : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician
when convenient.
Vomiting : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician immediately.
Weakness : Discontinue use of mineral. Call physician immediately.
Interactions:
Interacts with : Combined effect
- Amiloride : Causes dangerous rise in blood potassium.
- Atropine : Increases possibility of intestinal ulcers, which may occur
with oral potassium.
- Belladonna : Increases possibility of intestinal ulcers, which may occur
with oral potassium.
- Calcium : Increases possibility of heartbeat irregularities.
- Captopril : Increases chance of excessive amounts of potassium.
- Cortisone : Impedes on effect of potassium.
- Digitalis preparations : Can possibly cause irregular heartbeat.
- Enalapril
: Increases chance of excessive amounts of potassium.
- Laxatives : Can possibly decrease potassium effect.
- Spironolactone : Elevates blood potassium.
- Triamterene : Elevates blood potassium.
- Vitamin B-12 : Extended-release tablets may decrease vitamin B-12
absorption and increase vitamin B-12
requirements.
- Diuretic drugs (thiazide variety) : Increase the output of sodium and
water from kidneys, while increasing
potassium excretion
- Antibiotics : Can deplete potassium if taken on a long-term basis
- Tobacco : Decreases absorption.
- Alcohol : Strengthens gastrointestinal symptoms
- Cocaine : Can cause an irregular heartbeat.
- Marijuana : Can cause an irregular heartbeat.
- Salty drinks
: such as tomato juice and commercial thirst quenchers :
Causes increased fluid retention
- Coffee
: Decreases the uptake of potassium and strengthens
gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Low-salt milk : Increases fluid retention.
- Salty foods : Increases fluid retention.
- Sugar : Decreases the body’s uptake of potassium
Acidophilus (Lactobacillus)
Blue-Green Algae (Spirulina,
Spirulina Maxima) Spirulina Platensis
Calcium (Calcium citrate) Calcium
Gluconate)
Choline
Chondroitin Sulfate
Coenzyme Q (CoQ, Ubiquinoe, Coenzyme
Q10)
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Creatine
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Desiccated Liver (Dessicated Liver)
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) Evening
Primrose Oil)
Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgoaceae)
Ginseng (Asian, American, Korean,
Chinese, Panax, Quinquefolius)
Inositol (Myoinositol)
Iron (Ferrous Sulfate)
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Jojoba (Goatnut, Simmondsia Chinensis)
L-Carnitine
Lecithin (Phosphatidylcholine)
Magnesium
Melatonin
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)
Potassium (Potassium Chloride,
Trikates)
Pregnenolone
Royal Jelly
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
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Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine, pyridoxal
phosphate)
Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid) Folate,
Pteroyiglutamic Acid) Folacin)
Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol, sunshine
vitamin)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin H (Biotin)
Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
Vitamin P (Bioflavonoids,
Phytochemicals) |
Low Vegetable
Intake May Lead to Stroke
In a study of nearly 6000 men and women over age 65, those with the
lowest intake of potassium were 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke
over the next 4 to 8 years than those with higher intakes of potassium.
And among those taking diuretics to lower their blood pressure, the risk
of stroke was 2.5 times higher if their potassium intake was low.
Diuretics can lower the levels of potassium in the blood.
High potassium intake was defined as more than 4 grams a day, while low
potassium intake was defined as less than 2.4 grams a day. The average
daily intake of potassium was 3.3 grams. The study does not recommend
the ideal daily intake.
But the researchers do recommend people become more aware of their
potassium intake - particularly those taking diuretics -- as they can
likely benefit from higher potassium levels.
Neurology
2002;59:302-303, 314-320
Nutrients In Fruits
And Vegetables Linked To Bone Health
It's not just calcium
anymore: Researchers say substances found in fruit and vegetables, such
as zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber and vitamin C, can keep middle-aged
women's bones strong and fracture free. The authors point out that most
studies on nutrition and bone health have focused on calcium intake and
paid less attention to the role of other micronutrients.
According to the
researchers, intakes of nutrients found in abundance in fruits and
vegetables - namely, potassium, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and magnesium
- were positively associated with bone health. Potassium appears to slow
the excretion of calcium from the body while increasing rates of bone
formation. Vitamin C appears to aid in bone formation, as well, while
magnesium is extremely important in skeletal metabolism. In fact, recent
studies suggest that magnesium deficiency may contribute to
osteoporosis.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
January 2000;71:142-151 (Free Full Text Article)
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