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Potassium
What is potassium and what does it do?
Potassium is a mineral found in the foods you eat. It’s also an
electrolyte. Electrolytes conduct electrical impulses throughout the
body.
They assist in a range of essential body functions, including:
- blood pressure
- normal water balance
- muscle contractions
- nerve impulses
- digestion
- heart rhythm
- pH balance (acidity and alkalinity)
Your body doesn’t produce potassium naturally. So, it’s important to
consume the right balance of potassium-rich
foods and beverages. The FDA has set the daily value (DV) for
potassium at 4700
mg Consuming too
little potassium can lead to serious health issues. However,
taking in too
much can cause temporary or long-term health problems. Healthy kidneys maintain normal potassium levels in the body because
they remove excess amounts through urine.
How much potassium do I need?
The amount of potassium you need each day depends on your age and sex.
Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in milligrams (mg).
Age |
RDA |
Birth to 6 months |
400 mg |
Infants 7–12 months |
860 mg |
Children 1–3 years |
2,000 mg |
Children 4–8 years |
2,300 mg |
Children 9–13 years (boys) |
2,500 mg |
Children 9–13 years (girls) |
2,300 mg |
Teens 14–18 years (boys) |
3,000 mg |
Teens 14–18 years (girls) |
2,300 mg |
Adults 19+ years (men) |
3,400 mg |
Adults 19+ years (women) |
2,600 mg |
Pregnant teens |
2,600 mg |
Pregnant women |
2,900 mg |
Breastfeeding teens |
2,500 mg |
Breastfeeding women |
2,800 mg |
It’s also important not to get too much potassium. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises adults get
no more than 4,700 mg daily.
Your kidneys play an important role in how much potassium
your body maintains. In people with normal kidney function,
excess potassium leaves the body when you urinate. But
chronic kidney disease and some other health conditions can
cause you to have too much or too little potassium — which
can cause discomfort and potentially be life-threatening.
What foods provide potassium?
The most common source
of potassium is from food.
Potassium-rich fruits include:
- durian (1059 mg per cup)
- guava (688 mg per cup)
- kiwi fruit (562 mg per cup)
- cantaloupe (473 mg per cup)
- bananas (451 mg in one medium banana)
- grapefruit (415 mg in one fruit)
- fresh apricots (401 mg per 1 cup)
Fruit juices that are rich in potassium (Note: these amounts are for
100% juice) include:
- prune juice (707 mg per cup)
- carrot juice (689 mg per cup)
- passion fruit juice (687 mg per cup)
- pomegranate juice (533 mg per cup)
- orange juice (496 mg per cup)
- tangerine juice (440 mg per cup)
Potassium-rich vegetables include:
- beet greens, cooked (1309 mg per cup)
- Swiss chard, cooked (962 mg per cup)
- potato, baked with skin (926 mg in one medium potato)
- acorn squash (896 mg per cup)
- spinach, cooked (839 mg per cup)
- avocado (728 mg per cup)
Beans and other legumes that are high in potassium include:
- adzuki beans, cooked (1224 mg per cup)
- white beans, cooked (1004 mg per cup)
- lima beans, cooked (939 mg per cup)
- lentils, cooked (731 mg per cup)
- kidney beans, canned (607 mg per cup)
Some high protein foods contain some
amounts of potassium, such as:
- chicken breast, grilled boneless (332 mg per 3 oz)
- Atlantic salmon, farmed, cooked (326 mg per 3 oz)
- beef, top sirloin, grilled (315 mg per 3 oz)
For low potassium levels, a doctor may prescribe the mineral in
supplement form. If you have a severe deficiency, you may need
intravenous (IV) treatment.
What forms of potassium are available?
Potassium is found in many
multiVitamin/mineral supplements and in supplements that
contain only potassium How to Convert 20 mEq Potassium to Mg
Converting 20 mEq Potassium to Mg is a straightforward
process. To convert, you can use the following formula:
(1 mEq Potassium = 39.1 mg
Potassium) By multiplying 20 Meq Potassium by 39.1 mg Potassium,
you can determine the equivalent dosage in milligrams.
20 mEq Potassium = 20 * 39.1 mg Potassium = 782 MG Potassium Potassium in prescription comes in many different
forms
-
Potassium Citrate:
is used to treat a kidney stone condition called
renal tubular acidosis.
- 5 mEq, 10 mEq, 15 mEq, extended-release oral tablets
-
Potassium Bicarbonate:
is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of
potassium (hypokalemia).
- 10 mEq, 20 mEq, 25 mEq, effervescent oral tablets
-
Potassium Chloride:
is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of
potassium (hypokalemia).
- 8 mEq, 10 mEq extended-release oral capsules
- 8 mEq, 10 mEq, 15 mEq, 20 mEq extended-release
oral tablets
Potassium in
OTC comes in many different
forms
-
Potassium Citrate:
is used to treat a kidney stone condition called
renal tubular acidosis.
-
Potassium
Phosphate: is used to treat or prevent hypophosphatemia (low blood levels of phosphorus).
-
Potassium Aspartate:
is a potassium supplement used to treat low blood
levels of potassium (hypokalemia)
or hyperammonemia
-
Potassium Bicarbonate:
is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of
potassium (hypokalemia).
-
Potassium Gluconate:
may be used to manage, prevent or treat low blood
levels of potassium (hypokalemia).
Research has not shown that any form of potassium is
better than the others. Most dietary
supplements provide only small amounts of potassium, no more
than 99 mg per serving.
Are you getting enough potassium?
The
diets of many people in the United States provide less than
recommended amounts of potassium. Even when food and dietary
supplements are combined, total potassium intakes for most people
are below recommended amounts.
Certain groups of people are more likely than others to have trouble
getting enough potassium:
- People with inflammatory
bowel disease (such as Crohn’s
disease or ulcerative
colitis)
- People who use certain
medications (such as laxatives or
some diuretics)
- People with pica (meaning
that they eat things that aren’t food, such as clay)
Potassium deficiency
Certain conditions can cause potassium deficiencies, or hypokalemia.
These include:
- kidney disease
- overuse of diuretics
- excessive sweating, diarrhea,
and vomiting
- magnesium deficiency
- use of antibiotics, such as carbenicillin and penicillin
The symptoms of hypokalemia are different depending on how
severe your deficiency is.
A temporary decrease in potassium may not cause any symptoms.
For example, if you sweat a lot from a hard workout, your
potassium levels may normalize after eating a meal or drinking
electrolytes before any damage is done.
However, severe deficiencies can be life-threatening. Symptoms
of a potassium deficiency include:
- extreme fatigue
- muscle spasms, weakness, or cramping
- irregular heartbeat
- constipation, nausea, or vomiting
Hypokalemia is usually diagnosed with a blood
test. Your doctor may also order an electrocardiogram of
your heart and an arterial blood gas test to measure pH levels
in your body.
Potassium overdose
Too much potassium can cause hyperkalemia.
This is rare in people who eat balanced diets.
Risk factors for
overdose include:
- taking too many potassium supplements
- kidney disease
- prolonged exercise
- cocaine use
- potassium-conserving diuretics
- chemotherapy
- diabetes
- severe burns
The most obvious symptom of too much potassium is an abnormal
heartbeat (arrhythmia). Severe cases can lead to death.
People with mild cases of high potassium rarely have noticeable
symptoms. Your doctor should order occasional blood work if you
have any risk factors.
What happens if I don’t get enough potassium?
Getting too little potassium can increase blood pressure, deplete calcium in
bones, and increase the risk of kidney
stones.
Prolonged diarrhea or
vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretic use, eating clay, heavy
sweating, dialysis,
or using certain medications can cause severe potassium deficiency.
In this condition, called hypokalemia, blood levels of potassium are
very low. Symptoms of
hypokalemia include constipation,
tiredness, muscle weakness, and not feeling well. More severe
hypokalemia can cause increased urination, decreased brain function,
high blood
sugar levels, muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and
irregular heartbeat. Severe hypokalemia can be life threatening.
What are some effects of potassium on health?
Scientists are studying potassium to understand how it affects
health. Here are some examples of what this research has shown.
High blood pressure and stroke
High blood pressure is a major risk
factor for coronary
heart disease and stroke.
People with low intakes of potassium have an increased risk of
developing high blood pressure, especially if their diet is high
in salt (sodium). Increasing the amount of potassium in your
diet and decreasing the amount of sodium might help lower your
blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke. Kidney stones
Getting too little potassium can deplete calcium from bones and
increase the amount of calcium in urine.
This calcium can form hard deposits (stones) in your kidneys,
which can be very painful. Increasing the amount of potassium in
your diet might reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. Bone health
People who have high intakes of potassium from fruits and
vegetables seem to have stronger bones. Eating more of these
foods might improve your bone health by increasing bone
mineral density (a measure of bone strength). Blood sugar control and type 2 diabetes
Low intakes of potassium might increase blood sugar levels. Over
time, this can increase the risk of developing insulin
resistance and lead to
type 2 diabetes.
However, more research is needed to fully understand whether
potassium intakes affect blood sugar levels and the risk of
type
2 diabetes.
Treating imbalanced potassium levels
There are different treatments for imbalanced
potassium levels that depend on if your levels are
too high or too low.
Hypokalemia
(low)
Potassium supplements are usually the first course of action for
levels that are too low. Supplements are mostly effective if
your kidneys are in good shape.
Severe
hypokalemia may require IV treatment, especially if
you’re experiencing an abnormal heartbeat.
Potassium-sparing diuretics can rid the body of excess sodium.
This will help normalize electrolyte levels. But, some diuretics
and potassium supplements can be harsh on the digestive tract.
Ask a doctor for wax-coated pills to help prevent digestive
issues. Only people with normal kidney function can use
potassium-sparing diuretics. Learn more about
hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia (high)
Mild cases of hyperkalemia can be treated with prescription
medications that increase potassium excretion. Other methods
include diuretics or an enema.
Severe cases may require more complex treatments. Kidney
dialysis can remove potassium. This treatment is the preferred
for cases of kidney
failure.
For people with healthy kidneys, a doctor might recommend
insulin and glucose. These help to transport potassium from the
blood to cells for removal.
An albuterol inhaler can also lower dangerously high levels.
Calcium gluconate may be used temporarily to stabilize the heart
and reduce the risk of serious heart complications from
hyperkalemia.
What’s the outlook for imbalanced potassium levels?
Changes in body potassium may not be a concern if you don’t have
risk factors. Healthy kidneys are often enough to regulate body
potassium.
Learn more about hyperkalemia Medical conditions that affect levels should be monitored
regularly. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual
symptoms.
Can potassium be harmful?
Potassium from food and beverages has not been shown to cause any
harm in healthy people who have normal kidney function. Excess
potassium is eliminated in the urine.
However, people who have chronic kidney
disease and those who use certain medications can develop abnormally
high levels of potassium in their blood (a condition called
hyperkalemia). Examples of these medications are angiotensin
converting enzyme inhibitors,
also known as ACE
inhibitors, and potassium-sparing diuretics. Hyperkalemia can
occur in these people even when they consume typical
amounts of potassium from food.
Hyperkalemia can also develop in people with
type 1 diabetes, congestive
heart failure, liver disease,
or adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in
which the adrenal glands,
located just above the kidneys, don’t produce enough of certain hormones.
Even
in healthy people, getting too much potassium from supplements or
salt substitutes can cause hyperkalemia if they consume so much
potassium that their bodies can’t eliminate the excess.
People at risk of hyperkalemia should talk to their health care
providers about how much potassium they can safely get from food,
beverages, and supplements. The National
Kidney Disease Education Program has information about food
choices that can help lower potassium levels.
Potassium interactions?
Yes,
some medications may interact with
potassium. Here are a few examples.
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor
blockers
ACE inhibitors, such as benazepril (Lotensin), and angiotensin
receptor blockers, such as losartan (Cozaar), are used to treat high
blood pressure, heart disease, and
kidney disease. They decrease
the amount of potassium lost in the urine and can make potassium
levels too high, especially in people who have kidney problems. Potassium-sparing diuretics
Potassium-sparing diuretics, such as amiloride (Midamor) and
spironolactone (Aldactone), are used to treat
high blood
pressure and congestive heart failure. These medications
decrease the amount of potassium lost in the urine and can make
potassium levels too high, especially in people who have kidney
problems. Loop and thiazide diuretics
Loop diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide (Bumex),
and thiazide
diuretics, such as chlorothiazide (Diuril) and metolazone (Zaroxolyn),
are used to treat high blood pressure and edema.
These medications increase the amount of potassium lost in the
urine and can cause abnormally low levels of potassium.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist,
and other health care providers about any dietary supplements
and prescription or
over-the-counter medicines you take. They can tell you if the
dietary supplements might interact with your medicines or if the
medicines might interfere with how your body absorbs,
uses, or breaks down nutrients,
such as potassium.
Potassium and healthful eating
People should get most of their nutrients from food and beverages,
according to the federal government’s Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. Foods contain Vitamins,
minerals, dietary
fiber, and other components that benefit health. In some cases, fortified foods
and dietary supplements are useful when it is not possible to meet
needs for one or more nutrients (for example, during specific life
stages such as pregnancy).
What’s the outlook for imbalanced potassium levels?
Changes in body potassium may not be a concern if you don’t
have risk factors. Healthy kidneys are often enough to
regulate body potassium.
Medical conditions that affect levels should be monitored
regularly. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual
symptoms.
One Final Note..
Potassium is important for your body, as it helps your
heart, kidneys, and other organs work right. Usually, if you
eat well, you'll get all the potassium you need, but some
people might need more through supplements. Good natural
sources of potassium include bananas, avocados, nuts, citrus
fruits, veggies, milk, and potatoes.
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