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Potassium
 
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Potassium

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Health information provided by Aisle7

Related Topics

  1. How Do I Pick the Right Vitamins & Herbs?
  2. Vitamins & Minerals for Healthy People
  3. What Are Depletions & Interactions?

Potassium is an essential mineral needed to regulate water balance, levels of acidity, blood pressure, and neuromuscular function. This mineral also plays a critical role in the transmission of electrical impulses in the heart.

How to Use It

The best way to obtain extra potassium is to eat several pieces of fruit per day, as well as liberal amounts of vegetables. The amount of potassium found in the diet ranges from about 2.5 grams to about 5.8 grams per day. The amount allowed in supplements—99 mg per tablet or capsule—is very low, considering that one banana can contain 500 mg. Check with your physician before taking large amounts of potassium since it may irritate the stomach.

Where to Find It

Most fruits are excellent sources of potassium. Beans, milk, and vegetables contain significant amounts of potassium.

Possible Deficiencies

So-called primitive diets provided much greater levels of potassium than modern diets, which may provide too little. Gross deficiencies, however, are rare except in cases of prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or use of “potassium-depleting” diuretic drugs. People taking one of these drugs are often advised by their doctor to take supplemental potassium. Prescription amounts of potassium provide more than the amounts sold over the counter but not more than the amount found in several pieces of fruit.

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

Potassium and sodium work together in the body to maintain muscle tone, blood pressure, water balance, and other functions. Many researchers believe that part of the blood pressure problem caused by too much salt (which contains sodium) is made worse by too little dietary potassium.

People with kidney failure should not take potassium supplements, except under careful medical supervision.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

May Be Beneficial:Some medicines may increase the need for this supplement.
Avoid:Some medicines interact with this supplement, so they should not be taken together.
Check:Some interactions between this supplement and certain medicines require more explanation. Click the link to see details.

May Be Beneficial:Albuterol
May Be Beneficial:Bendroflumethiazide
May Be Beneficial:Bicalutamide
May Be Beneficial:Bisacodyl
May Be Beneficial:Bumetanide
May Be Beneficial:Busulfan
May Be Beneficial:Capecitabine
May Be Beneficial:Carboplatin
May Be Beneficial:Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Chlorambucil
May Be Beneficial:Chlorothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Chlorthalidone
May Be Beneficial:Cisplatin
May Be Beneficial:Cladribine
May Be Beneficial:Colchicine
May Be Beneficial:Cortisone
May Be Beneficial:Cytarabine
May Be Beneficial:Dexamethasone
May Be Beneficial:Docetaxel
May Be Beneficial:Docusate
May Be Beneficial:Erlotinib
May Be Beneficial:Etoposide
May Be Beneficial:Felodipine
May Be Beneficial:Floxuridine
May Be Beneficial:Fludarabine
May Be Beneficial:Furosemide
May Be Beneficial:Gentamicin
May Be Beneficial:Hydrochlorothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Hydroflumethiazide
May Be Beneficial:Hydroxyurea
May Be Beneficial:Ifosfamide
May Be Beneficial:Indapamide
May Be Beneficial:Ipecac
May Be Beneficial:Irinotecan
May Be Beneficial:Lomustine
May Be Beneficial:Mechlorethamine
May Be Beneficial:Melphalan
May Be Beneficial:Mercaptopurine
May Be Beneficial:Methyclothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Methyclothiazide
May Be Beneficial:Methylprednisolone
May Be Beneficial:Metolazone
May Be Beneficial:Mineral Oil
May Be Beneficial:Neomycin
May Be Beneficial:Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Polythiazide
May Be Beneficial:Prednisolone
May Be Beneficial:Prednisone
May Be Beneficial:Quinidine
May Be Beneficial:Salsalate
May Be Beneficial:Streptozocin
May Be Beneficial:Sulindac
May Be Beneficial:Tetracycline
May Be Beneficial:Theophylline
May Be Beneficial:Thioguanine
May Be Beneficial:Thioridazine
May Be Beneficial:Thiotepa
May Be Beneficial:Tobramycin
May Be Beneficial:Torsemide
May Be Beneficial:Trichlormethiazide
May Be Beneficial:Uracil Mustard
May Be Beneficial:Vinblastine
May Be Beneficial:Vincristine
Avoid:Acebutolol
Avoid:Amlodipine-Benazepril
Avoid:Atenolol
Avoid:Benazepril
Avoid:Betaxolol
Avoid:Bisoprolol
Avoid:Captopril
Avoid:Carteolol
Avoid:Cyclosporine
Avoid:Enalapril
Avoid:Esmolol
Avoid:Fosinopril
Avoid:Indomethacin
Avoid:Ketorolac
Avoid:Labetalol
Avoid:Levobunolol
Avoid:Nadolol
Avoid:Nebivolol
Avoid:Penbutolol
Avoid:Perindopril
Avoid:Pindolol
Avoid:Piroxicam
Avoid:Propranolol
Avoid:Quinapril
Avoid:Ramipril
Avoid:Sulfamethoxazole
Avoid:Timolol
Avoid:Timolol
Avoid:Trandolapril
Avoid:Trimethoprim
Avoid:Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole
Check:Amiloride
Check:Celecoxib
Check:Celecoxib
Check:Digoxin
Check:Epinephrine
Check:Etodolac
Check:Haloperidol
Check:Heparin
Check:Ibuprofen
Check:Lisinopril
Check:Lisinopril
Check:Losartan
Check:Magnesium Hydroxide
Check:Metoprolol
Check:Moexipril
Check:Nabumetone
Check:Naproxen
Check:Oxaprozin
Check:Senna
Check:Sotalol
Check:Spironolactone
Check:Triamterene

Side Effects

High potassium intake (several hundred milligrams at one time in tablet form) can produce stomach irritation. People using potassium-sparing drugs should avoid using potassium chloride-containing products, such as Morton Salt Substitute, No Salt, Lite Salt, and others and should not take potassium supplements, except under the supervision of a doctor. Even eating several pieces of fruit each day can sometimes cause problems for people taking potassium-sparing drugs, due to the high potassium content of fruit.

References

Copyright © 2012 Aisle7. All rights reserved. Aisle7.com

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

Learn more about the authors of Aisle7 products.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.

Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided in Healthy Living, is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.
 
 
 

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