Potassium

DRI (RDA or AI for Adults)

Adults: 4,700 mg. Lactation: 5,100 mg.

Adult Maintenance - Therapeutic Range

Adjust dietary intake to achieve 3,000 mg to 5,000 mg per day.

Major Sources (1,200 mg to 470 mg per serving)

Soynuts, blackstrap molasses, pistachios, beet greens, prunes, clams, avocado, molasses, lowfat yogurt, almonds, tomato juice, baked potato w/skin, cantaloupe, orange juice, Swiss chard, lima beans, banana.

Non-Therapeutic Importance

Helps regulate acid-base equilibrium and osmotic pressure of body fluids; influences muscle activity, especially cardiac muscle.

Deficiency Symptoms

Adrenal hypertrophy
Bone fragility
Cardiac arrhythmias
Decreased growth rate
Mental apathy
Muscular weakness
Paralysis

Increased Risk for Deficiency

Aciduria
Anabolic states
Diarrhea
Elderly
High-sodium, low-potassium diets
Hospitalized patients
Hypermineralocorticoidism
Magnesium deficiency
Non-potassium-sparing diuretics
Poor intake with high carbohydrate diet
Vomiting

Possible Therapeutic Applications

CONSULT WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FIRST: HIGH DOSAGE NOTE: Consult first with your physician if you have kidney disease or are taking potassium-sparing diuretics. Supplementation may prevent, correct deficiencies caused by, or be helpful with, the following conditions:

Atherosclerosis (heart disease)
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cerebrovascular Disease (including stroke)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Immunodepression (immune function)
Kidney Stones
Osteoporosis
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)