en id id en en en en vi en pt fr id id en en en en vi en pt fr en en en fi en en en en en en en en de fr nl fr pl en sv en en en en en fr en en en id en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en ca en en en en en en en en en en en en en fa en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en pt en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en war en
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission.
Potassium, the most abundant intracellular cation, is an essential nutrient that is naturally present in many foods and available as a dietary supplement. Potassium is present in all body tissues and is required for normal cell function because of its role in maintaining intracellular fluid volume and transmembrane electrochemical gradients [1,2]. Potassium has a strong relationship with sodium, the main regulator of extracellular fluid volume, including plasma volume.
How much potassium do I need?
The amount of potassium you need each day depends on your age and sex. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in milligrams (mg).
Adults 19+ years (men)
Adults 19+ years (women)
What happens if I don’t get enough potassium?
Getting too little potassium can increase blood pressure, deplete calcium in bones, and increase the risk of kidney stones.
Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretic use, eating clay, heavy sweating, dialysis, or using certain medications can cause severe potassium deficiency. In this condition, called hypokalemia, blood levels of potassium are very low. Symptoms of hypokalemia include constipation, tiredness, muscle weakness, and not feeling well. More severe hypokalemia can cause increased urination, decreased brain function, high blood sugar levels, muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeat. Severe hypokalemia can be life threatening.
What are some effects of potassium on health?
Scientists are studying potassium to understand how it affects health. Here are some examples of what this research has shown.
Getting too little potassium can deplete calcium from bones and increase the amount of calcium in urine. This calcium can form hard deposits (stones) in your kidneys, which can be very painful. Increasing the amount of potassium in your diet might reduce your risk of developing kidney stones.
People who have high intakes of potassium from fruits and vegetables seem to have stronger bones. Eating more of these foods might improve your bone health by increasing bone mineral density (a measure of bone strength).
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. People with low intakes of potassium have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, especially if their diet is high in salt (sodium). Increasing the amount of potassium in your diet and decreasing the amount of sodium might help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of stroke.
and type 2 diabetes
Low intakes of potassium might increase blood sugar levels. Over time, this can increase the risk of developing insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes. But more research is needed to fully understand whether potassium intakes affect blood sugar levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Can potassium be harmful?
Potassium from food and beverages has not been shown to cause any harm in healthy people who have normal kidney function. Excess potassium is eliminated in the urine.
Where can I find out more about potassium?
• For general information about potassium:
o Office of Dietary Supplements Health Professional Fact Sheet on Potassium
• For more information on food sources of potassium:
o U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) FoodData Central
o Nutrient list for potassium (listed by potassium content), USDA
• For more advice on choosing dietary supplements:
o Office of Dietary Supplements Frequently Asked Questions: Which brand(s) of dietary supplements should I purchase?
• For information about building a healthy dietary pattern:
o Dietary Guidelines for Americans
1. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. Washington, DC; 2005.
2. Stone MS, Martyn L, Weaver CM. Potassium intake, bioavailability, hypertension, and glucose control. Nutrients 2016;8. [PubMed abstract]
3. Preuss HG, Clouatre DL. Sodium, chloride, and potassium. In: Erdman JW, Macdonald IA, Zeisel SH, eds. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 10th ed. Washington, DC: Wiley-Blackwell; 2012:475-92.
4. Hinderling PH. The pharmacokinetics of potassium in humans is unusual. J Clin Pharmacol 2016;56:1212-20. [PubMed abstract]
5. Bailey JL, Sands JM, Franch HA. Water, electrolytes, and acid-based metabolism. In: Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, Tucker KL, Ziegler TR, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 11th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014:102-32.
6. Levene DL. Potassium chloride: absorption and excretion. Can Med Assoc J 1973;108:853-5. [PubMed abstract]
7. Health information data from U.S. National Institutes of Health
Nine medical doctors used their research findings to develop Dr’s Grow UP in the biotech lab. The result is a product containing 22 ingredients mixed in the perfect proportions to maximize bone health and height development.
Carrying out extensive research and keeping up-to-date with the latest scientific findings is our key to develop superior formulations.
Best Growth Support for Kids & Teenagers
Our products contain essential ingredients for a healthy bone and height development of kids from 10 years and teenagers.
We are dedicated to create formulations that delay and restrict the extent of adult’s bone density decrease.
Only 100% natural ingredients that contain no soy, no gluten, no GMOs, no maltodextrin, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
All of our products are manufactured in the US in an FDA and NSF cGMP registered facility.
Subscribe for exclusive sales & previews
Be the first to know about VIP sales and get 10% off your next order.
Join our social channels
BoneScience does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. *The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
All Contents Copyright ©2020 BoneScience®. All rights reserved.
Website Map   Shipping Information   Terms of Use   Privacy Notice   Cookie Statement   FAQs   Media & PR   Contact Us