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Potassium is a mineral that plays many critical roles in the body. Food sources of potassium include fruits (especially dried fruits), cereals, beans, milk, and vegetables.
\nPotassium is used for treating and preventing low potassium levels. It is also used to treat high blood pressure and prevent stroke.
\nSome people use it to treat high levels of calcium, a type of dizziness called Meni\u00e8re’s disease, thallium poisoning, insulin resistance, symptoms of menopause, and infant colic. It is also used for allergies, headaches, acne, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, confusion, arthritis, blurred vision, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, an intestinal disorder called colitis, constipation, dermatitis, bloating, fever, gout, insomnia, irritability, mononucleosis, muscle weakness, muscular dystrophy, stress, and with medications as treatment for myasthenia gravis.
\nHealthcare providers give potassium intravenously (by IV) for treating and preventing low potassium levels, irregular heartbeats, and heart attack.<\/p>\n
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database<\/em> rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate<\/em>. Effective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n Possibly Effective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for…<\/strong><\/p>\n More evidence is needed to rate potassium for these uses.<\/p>\n Potassium plays a role in many body functions including transmission of nerve signals, muscle contractions, fluid balance, and various chemical reactions.<\/p>\n Potassium is LIKELY SAFE<\/strong> for most people when taken by mouth in amounts of up to 90 mEq of total potassium from the diet and supplements combined. Potassium can cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal gas, and other side effects. Pregnancy or breast-feeding<\/strong>: Potassium is LIKELY SAFE<\/strong> when obtained from the diet in amounts of 40-80 mEq per day. Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors)<\/strong> Some medications for high blood pressure can increase potassium levels in the blood. Taking potassium along with some medications for high blood pressure might cause too much potassium in the blood. Medications for high blood pressure (Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs))<\/strong> Some medications for high blood pressure can increase potassium levels in the blood. Taking potassium along with some medications for high blood pressure might cause too much potassium to be in the blood. Water pills (Potassium-sparing diuretics)<\/strong> Some “water pills” can increase potassium levels in the body. Taking some “water pills” along with potassium might cause too much potassium to be in the body. Vitamin B12<\/strong><\/p>\n Vitamin B12 can cause a temporary drop in the level of potassium in the blood. This is a concern for people who are receiving vitamin B12 as treatment for a condition called megaloblastic anemia. People who are getting extra vitamin B12 should be monitored to make sure their potassium levels aren’t going too low.<\/p>\n Foods that contain potassium<\/strong><\/p>\n Taking potassium and eating foods that contain potassium might increase the risk of unwanted side effects, especially in people with kidney disease, or in people who are being treated with ACE inhibitor drugs or potassium-sparing diuretics. Potassium-containing foods include fruits (especially dried fruits), cereals, beans, milk, and vegetables.<\/p>\n Salt substitutes that contain potassium<\/strong><\/p>\n Taking potassium and using salt substitutes that contain potassium might increase the risk of unwanted side effects, especially in people with kidney disease, or in people who are being treated with ACE inhibitor drugs or potassium-sparing diuretics.<\/p>\n The following doses have been studied in scientific research: Foods that contain at least 350 mg potassium can be labeled \u201cDiets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.\u201d<\/p>\n Atomic number 19, K, Potasio, Potassium Acetate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Glycerophosphate, Potassium Orotate, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Sulfate.<\/p>\n Also available & can be very convenient to use, are tablets of Potassium Gluconate 595mg (99mg Potassium = 2.53 meq K+). These are rather inexpensive, and I find more convenient to use for a Potassium supplementation. Especially when traveling.<\/p>\n
\nThe effectiveness ratings for POTASSIUM<\/strong> are as follows:<\/p>\n\n
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How does it work?<\/h2>\n
Are there safety concerns?<\/h2>\n
\nToo much potassium is UNSAFE<\/strong> and can cause feelings of burning or tingling, generalized weakness, paralysis, listlessness, dizziness, mental confusion, low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, and death.<\/p>\nSpecial Precautions & Warnings:<\/h6>\n
\nDisorders of the digestive tract that might alter the speed food and supplements pass through the body (GI motility conditions)<\/strong>: If you have one of these disorders, do not take potassium supplements. Potassium could build up to dangerous levels in your body.
\nAllergy to aspirin or tartrazine products<\/strong>: Avoid potassium supplements that contain tartrazine.<\/p>\nAre there any interactions with medications?<\/h2>\n
\nInteraction Rating = Moderate<\/strong> Be cautious with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\n
\nSome medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.<\/p>\n
\nInteraction Rating = Moderate<\/strong> Be cautious with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\n
\nSome medications for high blood pressure include losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), irbesartan (Avapro), candesartan (Atacand), telmisartan (Micardis), eprosartan (Teveten), and others.<\/p>\n
\nInteraction Rating = Moderate<\/strong> Be cautious with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\n
\nSome “water pills” that increase potassium in the body include amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium).<\/p>\nAre there any interactions with Herbs and Supplements?<\/h2>\n
Are there interactions with Foods?<\/h2>\n
What dose is used?<\/h2>\n
\nBY MOUTH<\/strong>:
\nPotassium supplementation must be tailored for each person and based on the person’s serum potassium level, which should be maintained between 3.5-5 mEq\/L.
\nThe normal adult daily requirement and usual dietary intake is 40-80 mEq daily.<\/p>\n\n
What other names is the product known by?<\/h2>\n
Resources:<\/span><\/h2>\n