LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Potassium: Potassium Supplement
built 615 days ago
Potassium is the main mineral found inside cells (an intracellular electrolyte) at a concentration that is 30 times greater than the concentration of potassium found outside cells. It is involved in water balance, nerve impulse transmission, and muscular contractions. Dietary deficiency is rare and typically occurs only with chronic diarrhea and vomiting or laxative abuse. Individuals taking medications for high blood pressure force the loss of sodium, and in this process potassium is ... lost. These individuals are encouraged to replace this lost potassium through the intake of potassium supplements or foods high in potassium (fruits, vegetables, and meats). Typical intakes of potassium range from 1,000 to 11,000 milligrams per day (1 to 11 grams per day); people consuming large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables have the highest intakes.
Source:
Potassium is a necessary mineral in daily nutrition; it assists in muscle contraction and in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in body cells. Potassium is ... important in sending nerve impulses as well as releasing energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism. A shortage of potassium can cause a potentially fatal condition known as hypokalemia. Deficiency symptoms include dry skin, acne, chills, diarrhea, impaired cognitive function, muscle spasms, arrhythmia, decreased reflex response, thirst, glucose intolerence, growth retardation, insomnia, elevated cholesterol, and decreased blood pressure. Eating a variety of foods that contain potassium is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements.
Source:
Potassium supplements come in either tablet or liquid form, and anything over 390 mg needs a prescription in the United States. Enteric coated tablets have been known to cause ulcers, as they do not dissolve until they reach the intestines and may prove too concentrated for the undefended intestinal wall. To be on the safe side, supplements should be taken with a glass of juice. Slow-release enteric-coated supplements are now available, which decrease the danger of ulcers. Potassium gluconate is the ideal supplement, as it more closely resembles the potassium found in plants. Small divided doses should be taken, as opposed to one large dose, when treating a potassium deficiency.
Source:
Blood Pressure Lowered by Potassium Supplement: 6 week DB PC 59 healthy adults took 24 mmol slow-release KCl per day. Systolic decreased 7 mmHg and diastolic 6 mmHg, similar to the impact of a blood pressure medicine. Epidemiological and clinical trials suggest an inverse relationship between dietary K intake and blood pressure (BP). Author says 24 mmol (1000mg/d)= 5 servings of fruits or vegetables in potassium content. King’s College London. The effect of low-dose potassium supplementation on blood pressure in apparently healthy volunteers.
Source:
Potassium may be detected by taste because it triggers three of the five types of tastebuds, according to concentration. Dilute solutions of potassium ion taste sweet (allowing moderate concentrations in milk and juices), while higher concentrations become increasingly bitter/alkaline, and finally ... salty to the taste. The combined bitterness and saltiness of high potassium content solutions makes high-dose potassium supplementation by liquid drinks a palatability challenge.
Source:
Potassium should come from food sources, not supplements. The best sources are fresh foods with limited processing, especially leafy green vegetables, root vegetables, legumes and fruits. Although meat, milk, and cereal products contain potassium, the form of potassium in these foods is not as readily available for absorption by the body. The following table contains fruits, vegetables, and legumes (dry beans) that are very good sources of potassium:
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Potassium Supplement