You never want to run low on potassium. If you do, you could develop problems all over your body, especially in your muscles and nerves. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to experience a shortfall of this important mineral, especially if you have diarrhea or if you get mugged by a drug. Potassium deficiency can come on slowly, either from taking drug muggers or from poor nutrition, chronic illness, or pain. Symptoms usually include muscle weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, poor reflexes, muscle spasms, leg cramps, heart arrhythmias, and nerve excitability. Potassium deficiency can come on very quickly in certain cases, and result in all of the above symptoms as well as severe irregular or rapid heartbeat, confusion, high or low blood pressure, vomiting, abdominal distension, paralysis, sensations of pins and needles, and fainting.
Many scientific studies have been done on this important mineral. It’s now well established that low potassium can cause increased risk of high blood pressure and death from heart attack and stroke. It’s ironic that many blood pressure medications make the potassium drug mugger list, because potassium is needed for healthy blood pressure! Other signs and symptoms of too little potassium include constipation, osteoporosis, constant thirst, and heart disease.
Potassium is very important to your heart and blood pressure. It ensures a regular heartbeat. This mineral is called an electrolyte because it helps with water balance and electrical circuitry in the body. It helps fire nerve impulses, aiding in muscle contraction. Without that electrolyte assist from potassium, muscles couldn’t work properly.
Some people claim that potassium supplementation can help cure alcoholism, but this is simply not true. People who are withdrawing from alcohol may become deficient in potassium during this debilitating stage, so adequate supplementation may be necessary under the care of a physician. But potassium supplements do not stop the craving for alcohol, nor do they ease symptoms of withdrawal.
In addition to blood pressure medications, the long list of drug muggers of potassium includes medications that improve breathing, reduce pain, and promote regularity.
Most adults get enough potassium in their diets. If, for some reason, you do need to take a potassium supplement, be careful not to overdo a good thing, because this mineral affects the heart and interacts with many prescribed drugs. For example, potassium may cause a dangerous rise in the level of amiloride, a drug used to treat water retention and fluid buildup. In OTC dosages, problems like this are extremely rare. It’s most likely to occur with prescribed potassium because the dosages are exponentially higher.
Doctors sometimes prescribe fairly high dosages of potassium and then carefully monitor their patients’ blood levels every few months. Certain patients, like those with chronic kidney disease, will more than likely require higher dosages.
Potassium is irritating to the delicate mucosal lining of the digestive tract and so could increase the risk of ulcers if taken along with other medications that are hard on the stomach, like atropine, belladonna, or the bone-building drugs used for osteoporosis. If you take digoxin, make sure that your potassium level is measured routinely and that you don’t run low on it, a condition called hypokalemia. Developing low potassium while taking digoxin can be fatal. Having too little potassium is much worse for you than having too much because hypokalemia causes dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Did you catch that? Low potassium is far more dangerous than a high level. It’s usually the other way around.
People who sweat a lot or exercise vigorously have an increased need for potassium. This is the basis of those sports drinks on the market (like Gatorade) that replenish lost potassium. Potassium is also available at the pharmacy in prescribed strengths of up to 20 mEq (milliequivalents), which is about 1,500 mg. Potassium is often measured in milliequivalents in laboratory tests, although the supplements are converted to milligrams. Most supplements sold at health food stores come in dosages of 99 mg. Why not a hundred? Go figure.
Various types of potassium drugs are sold by prescription. The brand names include Micro-K Extencaps, Klor-Con, Slow-K, and K-Dur. These forms should be taken with a meal and a full glass of water. But whether you take high dosages or low dosages of potassium, the mineral is very hard on the stomach and often creates stomach upset when taken orally. It can seriously increase the risk of gastric and esophageal irritation. There’s even a possibility that it may poke microscopic holes in the delicate mucosal lining of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. This seems to occur more often if the potassium is taken in liquid form without enough water to chase it down. Extended-release formulations, usually taken by prescription, have been associated with ulcers, too.
One way to get around the gastric issue caused by oral potassium is to buy the OTC form in powder and put a little in your bathwater. Potassium goes right through your skin exactly the same way magnesium does. But be careful and use only small dosages as directed on the label. Potassium powder is not dosed like Epsom salts, which you can dump plenty of into the bathtub and just relax. You only need a teaspoon or capful of potassium, depending on what your product’s label directions say. Consult your doctor to find out what dosage is right for you.
Acid Blockers
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Esomeprazole (Nexium) Famotidine (Pepcid and Pepcid Complete)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid 24HR)
Nizatidine (Axid)
Omeprazole (Prilosec OTC)
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
Rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Analgesics
Aspirin (Bayer, Ecotrin, St. Joseph)
Butalbital compound and aspirin (Fiorinal)
Carisoprodal and aspirin (Soma Compound)
Ketoprofen (Orudis)
Oxycodone and aspirin (Percodan)
Salicylate drugs or herbs
Antibiotics (just a few examples)
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin)
Azithromycin (Z-Pak)
Cefaclor (Ceclor)
Cefdinir (Omnicef)
Cephalexin (Keflex)
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Doxycycline (Doryx)
Erythromycin (E.E.S.)
Isoniazid (INH)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
Minocycline (Minocin)
Moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox)
Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim Septra)
Tetracycline (Sumycin)
Anticonvulsants
Pregabalin (Lyrica) (not a drug mugger, this boosts potassium levels)
Antacids
Aluminum and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Mylanta)
Aluminum carbonate gel (Basaljel)
Aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel, AlternaGEL)
Calcium carbonate (Tums, Titralac, Rolaids)
Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia)
Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer, baking soda)
Antigout
Colchicine (Colcrys)
Antivirals
Delavirdine (Rescriptor)
Foscarnet (Foscavir)
Lamivudine (Epivir)
Nevirapine (Viramune)
Zidovudine, AZT (Retrovir)
Zidovudine and Lamivudine (Combivir)
Blood Pressure Drugs
Hydralazine (Apresoline)
ACE inhibitors:
Enalapril and HCTZ (Vaseretic)
Ramipril (Altace)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers:
Telmisartan and HCTZ (Micardis HCT)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Valsartan and HCTZ (Diovan HCT)
Calcium-channel blockers:
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
Diuretics, loop:
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Torsemide (Demadex)
Diuretics, thiazide:
Any combination drug that contains HCTZ or hydrochlorothiazide (dozens of drugs contain this)
Atenolol and chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
Hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ (Hydrodiuril)
Methyclothiazide (Enduron)
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
Diuretics, sulfonamide:
Indapamide (Lozol)
Diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics (possibly, however this is not conclusive)
Bronchodilators
Albuterol (syrup, tablets, nebulizer solution and inhalers like Ventolin, ProAir, and Proventil)
Corticosteroids
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Hydrocortisone (Cortef)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
Prednisolone (Pediapred liquid)
Prednisone (Sterapred)
Inhaled corticosteroids:
Budesonide (Rhinocort)
Fluticasone (Flonase)
Glaucoma
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
Hormone Replacement Therapy/Oral Contraceptives
Estrogen-containing drugs
Estrogens, conjugated (Premarin, Premphase, Prempro)
Immunosuppressants
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Laxatives
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs)
Salmeterol (Serevent inhaler and Advair diskus)
Parkinson’s Drugs
Levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet)
Stool-Softeners
Docusate and casanthranol (Peri-Colace)
MISC:
Alcohol
Cesium supplements
Coffee, tea, and soda (caffeinated)
Excessive salt intake
Stinging nettle herb
White willow bark
Swiss chard, tomato puree, figs, currants, seeds, crimini mushrooms, spinach, romaine lettuce, celery, beets (boiled), beet greens, mustard greens, fennel, broccoli, winter squash, blackstrap molasses, grilled snapper, mackerel, eggplant, kale, brussels sprouts, turmeric, asparagus, cauliflower, apricots, potatoes, raisins, ginger, yams, kiwifruits, chile peppers (dried), adzuki beans, cabbage, barley, bananas, oranges, avocados, watermelon, kidney beans, pistachios, prunes, and salt substitutes.
Even though hypokalemia (low potassium) is far more dangerous to your heart than hyperkalemia, it’s all too easy to get yourself in trouble with potassium supplements if you also take prescribed medications or have a chronic illness. In these situations, it’s best to concentrate on food sources if you feel you need an additional supply of this mineral or to consult with your doctor before taking large doses of potassium.
For general health: 200–400 mg per day with food and plenty of water
Drug mugger dose: 300–1,000 mg per day (consult your physician for proper dosage)
1 cup acorn squash: 900 mg
1 banana: 450 mg
1 cup watermelon: 550 mg
½ cup raisins: 550 mg
8 ounces Gatorade: 30–40 mg
Do not crush or chew tablets that are extended-release supplements, such as Slow-K or Klor-Con. Take all doses of potassium with a full glass of water or juice. It’s better to take small doses throughout the day rather than one big dose. Always follow the label directions on your formula regardless of the dosages that are provided here. The dosages in this book are provided as general information, but individual needs vary widely.
You know you are getting too much potassium if you develop diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or confusion. Some people who exceed normal doses or have poor gut integrity experience darkened, tarry stools—a sign that GI bleeding has occurred. You should stop taking potassium immediately and call your doctor if this happens. Other warning signs that you are getting too much potassium include slow heartbeat; numbness; anxiety; fatigue; heaviness of the legs; and tingling in the hands, feet, or lips.
When you lose potassium, you often lose protein in the body as well. One way to improve these simultaneous losses is to make a smoothie that contains both. It’s yummy and good for you! Just put all of these ingredients in your blender and give it a whirl:
1 banana (or 5 pitted apricots)
1 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed if possible)
½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries (or raspberries)
1 scoop whey powder (or hemp or rice protein powder)
Potassium Amino Acid Complex by Solgar: These veggie caps are kosher and contain 99 mg of potassium in a bioavailable amino acid complex. This product is sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free.
Potassium Gluconate 99 by GNC: These are vegetarian caps and are kosher. They contain 99 mg of potassium per capsule. GNC also makes an intelligent formula that contains potassium and magnesium in a 1:1 ratio. It’s called Potassium and Magnesium Aspartate 250.
Potassium Gluconate by NOW: Each teaspoonful (3.48 grams) of this powder contains 540 mg of potassium, which can be taken once daily with food. You can add a little to your bathwater for additional absorption through your skin. Check with your doctor about dosage.
Potassium Plus by Enzymatic Therapy: This innovative blend provides food-grade potassium from the juices of oranges and sugarcane. It also provides a wonderful combination of trace minerals, including selenium, silicon, boron, nickel, and tin. You need these minerals for healthy blood pressure as well as bone health. If that isn’t good enough, it also contains B6 and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which help reduce cholesterol and homocysteine while raising your energy level. This blend is perfect for blood pressure and heart health!