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Potassium

Uses

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.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for Why
3 Stars
Hypertension in People Not Taking Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
2,400 mg per under a doctor's supervision
Potassium may be effective at lowering blood pressure, according to an analysis of trials.

supplements in the amount of at least 2,400 mg per day lower blood pressure, according to an analysis of 33 trials. However, potassium supplements greater than 100 mg per tablet require a prescription, and the low-dose potassium supplements available without a prescription can irritate the stomach if taken in large amounts. Moreover, some people, such as those taking potassium-sparing diuretics, should not take potassium supplements. Therefore, the use of potassium supplements for lowering blood pressure should only be done under the care of a doctor.

3 Stars
Kidney Stones and Abdominal Pain (Magnesium Citrate)
1,600 mg daily potassium as citrate and 500 mg daily of magnesium as citrate
Supplementing with a combination of potassium citrate and magnesium citrate may reduce the recurrence rate of kidney stones.
Some citrate research conducted with people who have a history of kidney stones involves supplementation with a combination of potassium citrate and magnesium citrate. In one double-blind trial, the recurrence rate of kidney stones dropped from 64% to 13% for those receiving high amounts of both supplements. In that trial, people were instructed to take six pills per day—enough potassium citrate to provide 1,600 mg of potassium and enough magnesium citrate to provide 500 mg of magnesium. Both placebo and citrate groups were also advised to restrict salt, sugar, animal protein, and foods rich in oxalate. Other trials have also shown that potassium and magnesium citrate supplementation reduces kidney stone recurrences.
2 Stars
Cardiac Arrhythmia
1,000 mg daily under medical supervision
In one study, people taking hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure saw a significant reduction in arrhythmias when they supplemented with potassium.

Patients taking hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure had a significant reduction in arrhythmias when supplemented with 1 gram twice per day of potassium hydrochloride (supplying 1040 mg per day of elemental ). Those results were not improved by adding 500 mg twice per day of magnesium hydroxide (supplying 500 mg per day of elemental magnesium) to the potassium. Low serum concentrations of potassium were found to be associated with a higher incidence of arrhythmia in a large population study.

2 Stars
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Magnesium Aspartate)
1 gram of aspartates is taken twice per day
Potassium-magnesium aspartate has shown benefits for chronically fatigued people in some trials.

The combination of potassium aspartate and magnesium aspartate has shown benefits for chronically fatigued people in double-blind trials. However, these trials were performed before the criteria for diagnosing CFS was established, so whether these people were suffering from CFS is unclear. Usually 1 gram of aspartates is taken twice per day, and results have been reported within one to two weeks.

2 Stars
Congestive Heart Failure
Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner
Potassium can be beneficial for heart patients, but talk to your doctor first. Several drugs for CHF may cause potassium retention, making extra potassium dangerous.

Magnesium deficiency frequently occurs in people with CHF, and such a deficiency may lead to heart arrhythmias. Magnesium supplements have reduced the risk of these arrhythmias. People with CHF are often given drugs that deplete both magnesium and ; a deficiency of either of these minerals may lead to an arrhythmia. Many doctors suggest magnesium supplements of 300 mg per day.

Whole fruit and fruit and vegetable juice, which are high in potassium, are also recommended by some doctors. One study showed that elderly men who consumed food prepared with potassium-enriched salt (containing about half potassium chloride and half sodium chloride) had a 70% reduction in deaths due to heart failure and a significant reduction in medical costs for cardiovascular disease, when compared with men who continued to use regular salt. While increasing potassium intake can be beneficial for heart patients, this dietary change should be discussed with a healthcare provider, because several drugs given to people with CHF may actually cause retention of potassium, making dietary potassium, even from fruit, dangerous.

2 Stars
Premenstrual Syndrome
600 mg daily
A preliminary trial found that women with severe PMS who took potassium supplements had complete resolution of PMS symptoms within four menstrual cycles.

A preliminary, uncontrolled trial found that women with severe PMS who took supplements had complete resolution of PMS symptoms within four menstrual cycles. Most participants took 400 mg of potassium per day as potassium gluconate plus 200 mg of potassium per day as potassium chloride for the first two cycles, then switched to solely the gluconate form (600 mg potassium per day) for the remainder of the year-long trial. Without exception, all of the women found their symptoms (i.e., bloating, fatigue, irritability, etc.) decreasing gradually over three cycles and disappearing completely by the fourth cycle. Controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.

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