Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that
helps the kidneys function normally. It also plays a role in cardiac,
skeletal, and smooth muscle contraction, making it an important nutrient
for normal heart function. Recent studies have suggested that potassium
helps lower blood pressure, and that it can help reduce the risk of
death from an acute heart attack when administered by a health care
provider along with insulin and glucose. If you take in too much
potassium in your diet, you run the risk of getting hyperkalemia (having
too much potassium in the blood). If you don't take in enough, you run
the risk of getting hypokalemia (not having enough potassium in the
blood).
For most people a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits is a
safe way to get the amount of potassium you need. The elderly are at a
high risk for hyperkalemia due to the decreased kidney function that
occurs naturally as you age. Older people should be careful when taking
any medication, because they can affect potassium levels in the body.
Talk with your health care provider before taking potassium or any
supplement.
Uses
The most important use of potassium is to treat the symptoms of
hypokalemia, which include weakness, lack of energy, stomach
disturbances, an irregular heartbeat, and an abnormal EKG
(electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart function).
Under a health care provider's supervision, potassium can also be
used to lower blood pressure, prevent stroke, treat muscle weakness and
diabetes mellitus, and help prevent death from an acute heart attack.
Dietary Sources
The best dietary sources of potassium are fresh unprocessed foods,
including meats, vegetables (especially potatoes), fruits (especially
avocados), and citrus juices (such as orange juice). Most of our
potassium needs can be met by eating a varied diet with adequate intake
of milk, meats, cereals, vegetables, and fruits.
Other Forms
There are several potassium supplements on the market, including
potassium acetate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate
effervescent, potassium chloride, and potassium gluconate. Potassium can
also be found in multivitamins.
How to Take It
You should not take a potassium supplement other than what's in a
multivitamin unless your health care provider instructs you to do so. As
with all medications and supplements, check with a health care provider
before giving potassium supplements to a child. The average potassium
intake estimated by the National Research Council is as follows. This
amount is most likely provided by your daily diet.
There is no recommended increased intake of potassium during
pregnancy and nursing.
Precautions
If you have kidney problems, you should not take potassium
supplements unless told to do so by your health care provider. If you
are elderly, take potassium supplements under the supervision of your
health care provider, because of decreased kidney function with age.
Possible Interactions
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) may raise
blood levels of potassium. ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, enalapril,
and lisinopril) can increase blood levels of potassium, particularly
when taken with salt substitutes or potassium-sparing diuretics (such as
spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride). Heparin, cyclosporine,
trimethoprim, pentamidine and beta-blockers (such as metoprolol and
propranolol that are used to treat high blood pressure) may also elevate
blood levels of potassium. Consult your health care provider before
supplementing with potassium if you are taking any of these medications.
Corticosteroids, amphotericin B, antacids, loop diuretics (such as
furosemide and bumetanide), and thiazide diuretics (such as
hydrochlorothiazide) lower potassium levels. Insulin also reduces the
level of potassium in the blood.
Lower blood levels of potassium increase the likelihood of toxic
effects from digoxin. Consult your health care provider to determine if
you should take potassium supplements while on this medication.
Supporting Research
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magnesium, calcium, and fiber and risk of stroke among U.S. men.
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Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications
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