Potassium Supplements - its
benefits and side effects
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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.

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]

鉀（potassium）對腎，心藏和肌肉的功能是重要的。 人話鉀可降血
壓！鉀能在水果，蔬菜和豆植物中被找到。咖啡，甘草，酒精和caffeine
包含的草藥(和茶)透過排尿能導致鉀損失！

Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement. This article is
for your reference only. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008