Potassium Supplements - its benefits and side effects, deficiency, overdose...
ZHION.COM July 11, 2011 email comment to zhion@zhion.com
ZHION.COM July 11, 2011 email comment to zhion@zhion.com
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INTRODUCTION
Potassium, a mineral, is important to the proper functions of kidney, heart and muscles. Potassium
can be found in fruits, vegetables and legumes. Usually, a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits
provides the amount of potassium needed. In a study of 12,000 Americans, men consumed an
average of 4,323 mg of sodium daily, while women took in 2,918 mg. The group with the highest
sodium-to- potassium ratio had a mortality risk about 50% higher than the group with the lowest.
[CNN.COM July 11, 2011]
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH POTASSIUM?
Inadequate amounts of magnesium, excessive intake of sodium, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive
sweating, malnutrition, and use of diuretics will lead to hypokalemia, i.e. potassium deficiency.
Coffee, licorice, alcohol and caffeine-containing herbs (such as cola nut, guarana and tea) can
lead to loss of potassium, for example through urination. Overdose of potassium leads to a
condition called hyperkalemia. The elderly are at high risk for developing hyperkalemia due to
decreased kidney function that often occurs at aging. Intake of certain diuretics such as
hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide and bumetanide, corticosteroids, amphotericin B, antacids,
insulin, laxatives and theophylline may lower your potassium level. While, use of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory durgs (such as ibuprofen, piroxicam an dsulindac), ACE inhibitors ( such as
captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril), heparin, beta-blockers (such as metoprolol and propranolol),
cyclosporine and trimethoprim is likely to increase your potassium level the body. Taking
potassium or other supplements should only be done under the guidance of a medical doctor. [7]
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAKING POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS
In general, potassium supplements such as potassium citrate, gluconate, acetate, are used for
hypokalemia. However, potassium supplements may benefit people suffered from high blood
pressure. Braschi A and Naismith DJ. from King's College London supplied potassium chloride or
citrate to young healthy subjects for 6 weeks, they noticed a decrease in both systolic and diastolic
blood pressures of the subjects by about 4-6 mm Hg. The researchers noticed a larger effect in
those with higher systolic blood pressure. [1] Intake of potassium supplements may have a
preventive measurement on osteoporosis, asthma, ulcerative colitis or even possibly glomerular
lesion, ischemic damage, and stroke-associated death. [4,7]
While, Fang Y and coworkers from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, recruited 60 healthy subjects
aged 20-60 in a study to determine if salt modulates asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA). The
researchers allowed the subjects to take low-salt diets for 7 days (3 g/day, NaCl), then high-salt
diets for 7 days (18 g/day), and then high-salt diets with potassium supplementation for another 7
days (4.5 g/day, KCl). After the subjects took the high-salt diets, they found the plasma ADMA and
blood pressure shot up while plasma NOx levels reduced considerably. When the researchers
supplemented the subjects with dietary potassium, ADMA, NOx and the mean blood pressure
returned back to the normal levels. [2] They also reported that supplementation of potassium could
improve endothelial function in healthy and moderate hypertensive subjects in a separate report. [3]
Jin L and co-workers at Medical University of South Carolina found that expression of recombinant
kallikrein by somatic gene delivery reduced high blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and renal
injury in hypertensive animal models. Later on, they further related the blood pressure-lowering and
diuretic effects of high potassium intake to the upregulation of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system. [4]
However, researchers from Norway found that moderate reduction in sodium intake, with or without
addition of potassium, is not sufficient to induce significant long-term intraarterial or 24-h
ambulatory blood pressure changes in essential hypertension. [5]
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS
People with hyperkalemia should not use potassium. Common side effects of excessive intake of
potassium supplements include diarrhea and nausea. Other side effects are muscle weakness,
slowed heart rate, and abnormal heart rhythm. [7] High potassium levels can cause irregular and
dangerous heartbeats, and sometimes death. [6]
Reference:
[1] Braschi A, Naismith DJ. The effect of a dietary supplement of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure
in predominantly normotensive volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2008 Jun;99(6):1284-92. Epub 2007 Dec 6. [2] Fang Y, Mu JJ, He LC,
Wang SC, Liu ZQ Salt loading on plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine and the protective role of potassium supplement in
normotensive salt-sensitive Asians. Hypertension. 2006 Oct;48(4):724-9. Epub 2006 Sep 11. [3] Shi DC et al, Endothelial
function evaluation in salt-sensitive normaltensive and mild hypertensive subjects and effects of potassium supplement
Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi. 2006 Jan;34(1):38-41. [4] Jin L, Chao L, Chao J. Potassium supplement upregulates
the expression of renal kallikrein and bradykinin B2 receptor in SHR. Am J Physiol. 1999 Mar;276(3 Pt 2):F476-84. [5] Omvik
P, Myking OL. Unchanged central hemodynamics after six months of moderate sodium restriction with or without potassium
supplement in essential hypertension. Blood Press. 1995 Jan;4(1):32-41. [6] FDA website
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/inspra.HTM University of Maryland Center Website, 07/24/08 [7]
Potassium, a mineral, is important to the proper functions of kidney, heart and muscles. Potassium
can be found in fruits, vegetables and legumes. Usually, a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits
provides the amount of potassium needed. In a study of 12,000 Americans, men consumed an
average of 4,323 mg of sodium daily, while women took in 2,918 mg. The group with the highest
sodium-to- potassium ratio had a mortality risk about 50% higher than the group with the lowest.
[CNN.COM July 11, 2011]
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH POTASSIUM?
Inadequate amounts of magnesium, excessive intake of sodium, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive
sweating, malnutrition, and use of diuretics will lead to hypokalemia, i.e. potassium deficiency.
Coffee, licorice, alcohol and caffeine-containing herbs (such as cola nut, guarana and tea) can
lead to loss of potassium, for example through urination. Overdose of potassium leads to a
condition called hyperkalemia. The elderly are at high risk for developing hyperkalemia due to
decreased kidney function that often occurs at aging. Intake of certain diuretics such as
hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide and bumetanide, corticosteroids, amphotericin B, antacids,
insulin, laxatives and theophylline may lower your potassium level. While, use of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory durgs (such as ibuprofen, piroxicam an dsulindac), ACE inhibitors ( such as
captopril, enalapril, and lisinopril), heparin, beta-blockers (such as metoprolol and propranolol),
cyclosporine and trimethoprim is likely to increase your potassium level the body. Taking
potassium or other supplements should only be done under the guidance of a medical doctor. [7]
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAKING POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS
In general, potassium supplements such as potassium citrate, gluconate, acetate, are used for
hypokalemia. However, potassium supplements may benefit people suffered from high blood
pressure. Braschi A and Naismith DJ. from King's College London supplied potassium chloride or
citrate to young healthy subjects for 6 weeks, they noticed a decrease in both systolic and diastolic
blood pressures of the subjects by about 4-6 mm Hg. The researchers noticed a larger effect in
those with higher systolic blood pressure. [1] Intake of potassium supplements may have a
preventive measurement on osteoporosis, asthma, ulcerative colitis or even possibly glomerular
lesion, ischemic damage, and stroke-associated death. [4,7]
While, Fang Y and coworkers from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, recruited 60 healthy subjects
aged 20-60 in a study to determine if salt modulates asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA). The
researchers allowed the subjects to take low-salt diets for 7 days (3 g/day, NaCl), then high-salt
diets for 7 days (18 g/day), and then high-salt diets with potassium supplementation for another 7
days (4.5 g/day, KCl). After the subjects took the high-salt diets, they found the plasma ADMA and
blood pressure shot up while plasma NOx levels reduced considerably. When the researchers
supplemented the subjects with dietary potassium, ADMA, NOx and the mean blood pressure
returned back to the normal levels. [2] They also reported that supplementation of potassium could
improve endothelial function in healthy and moderate hypertensive subjects in a separate report. [3]
Jin L and co-workers at Medical University of South Carolina found that expression of recombinant
kallikrein by somatic gene delivery reduced high blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and renal
injury in hypertensive animal models. Later on, they further related the blood pressure-lowering and
diuretic effects of high potassium intake to the upregulation of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system. [4]
However, researchers from Norway found that moderate reduction in sodium intake, with or without
addition of potassium, is not sufficient to induce significant long-term intraarterial or 24-h
ambulatory blood pressure changes in essential hypertension. [5]
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS
People with hyperkalemia should not use potassium. Common side effects of excessive intake of
potassium supplements include diarrhea and nausea. Other side effects are muscle weakness,
slowed heart rate, and abnormal heart rhythm. [7] High potassium levels can cause irregular and
dangerous heartbeats, and sometimes death. [6]
Reference:
[1] Braschi A, Naismith DJ. The effect of a dietary supplement of potassium chloride or potassium citrate on blood pressure
in predominantly normotensive volunteers. Br J Nutr. 2008 Jun;99(6):1284-92. Epub 2007 Dec 6. [2] Fang Y, Mu JJ, He LC,
Wang SC, Liu ZQ Salt loading on plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine and the protective role of potassium supplement in
normotensive salt-sensitive Asians. Hypertension. 2006 Oct;48(4):724-9. Epub 2006 Sep 11. [3] Shi DC et al, Endothelial
function evaluation in salt-sensitive normaltensive and mild hypertensive subjects and effects of potassium supplement
Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi. 2006 Jan;34(1):38-41. [4] Jin L, Chao L, Chao J. Potassium supplement upregulates
the expression of renal kallikrein and bradykinin B2 receptor in SHR. Am J Physiol. 1999 Mar;276(3 Pt 2):F476-84. [5] Omvik
P, Myking OL. Unchanged central hemodynamics after six months of moderate sodium restriction with or without potassium
supplement in essential hypertension. Blood Press. 1995 Jan;4(1):32-41. [6] FDA website
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/inspra.HTM University of Maryland Center Website, 07/24/08 [7]
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
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other website or blog.
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