Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention.
Potassium is one of the body's most important minerals. It is present in every cell of the human body. In solution as it is in the body potassium carries a positive electrical charge and is one of the body's four main electrolytes along with sodium, chloride and bicarbonate. As an electrolyte, potassium plays a crucial role in water balance and the maintenance of blood pressure. Potassium is also important for normal muscle and nerve function as well as conduction of the electrical impulses that control the heart. Potassium deficiency hypokalemia can produce an array of symptoms, which vary in severity depending on the degree of deficiency.
Muscle Weakness, Spasms, Cramps and Tetany:
In order for muscle cells to contract, a marked difference in intracellular and extracellular potassium concentrations must exist. As potassium levels drop, this concentration difference decreases and the muscles are unable to function normally. This causes generalized fatigue and a variety of muscular symptoms including weakness, spasms, twitching and cramps. In cases of extreme hypokalemia, the muscles can go into a sustained involuntary state of contraction called tetany.
Why do people take potassium?
Most people who eat a healthy diet should get enough potassium naturally. However, many Americans don't eat a healthy diet and may be deficient in potassium. Low potassium is associated with a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility. For people with low potassium, doctors sometimes recommend improved diets or potassium supplements to prevent or treat some of these conditions.
Potassium deficiencies are more common in people who:
*Use certain medicines, such as diuretics and certain birth control pills
*Have physically demanding jobs
Are athletes
*Have health conditions that affect their digestive absorption, such as Crohn's disease
*Have an eating disorder
*Smoke
*Abuse alcohol or drugs
How much potassium should you take?
The Institute of Medicine has set an adequate intake for potassium. Getting this amount of potassium from diet, with or without supplements, should be enough to keep you healthy. The FDA has determined that foods that contain at least 350 milligrams of potassium can bear the following label: "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke."
Always take potassium supplements with a full glass of water or juice.
There is no set upper limit for potassium. So it's not clear exactly how much potassium you can take safely. However, very high doses of potassium can be deadly.
Can you get potassium naturally from foods?
Good natural food sources of potassium include:
Bananas
Avocados
Nuts, like almonds and peanuts
Citrus fruits
Leafy, green vegetables
Milk
Potatoes
Keep in mind that some types of cooking, such as boiling, can destroy the potassium in some foods.
Causes:
Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription water or fluid pills (diuretics). Vomiting or diarrhea or both can result in excessive potassium loss from the digestive tract. Only rarely is low potassium caused by not getting enough potassium in your diet.
Causes of potassium loss leading to low potassium include:
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diarrhea
Excessive alcohol use
Excessive laxative use
Excessive sweating
Folic acid deficiency
Prescription water or fluid pills (diuretics) use
Primary aldosteronism
Vomiting
Some antibiotic use
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the risks of taking potassium?
Side effects.
At normal doses, potassium is fairly safe. It may cause an upset stomach. Some people have allergies to potassium supplements.
Interactions.
Potassium supplements may not be safe if you take certain medicines for diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. Check with your doctor first if you take any medications before you take potassium supplements.
Warnings.
People with kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, Addison's disease, stomach ulcers, or other health problems should never take potassium supplements without talking to a doctor first.
Overdose. Signs of a potassium overdose include confusion, tingling sensation in the limbs, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and coma. Get emergency medical help immediately.
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