Potassium why is it important

A meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials in 1, participants with hypertension found significant reductions in systolic blood pressure by 4. The supplements had the greatest effect in patients with hypertension, reducing systolic blood pressure by a mean of 6. Two earlier meta-analyses of 19 trials [ 45 ] and 33 trials [ 46 ] had similar findings. However, a Cochrane review of six of the highest-quality trials found nonsignificant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure with potassium supplementation [ 47 ].

In , the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality AHRQ published a systematic review of the effects of sodium and potassium intakes on chronic disease outcomes and their risk factors [ 48 ]. The authors concluded that, based on observational studies, the associations between dietary potassium intakes and lower blood pressure in adults were inconsistent. They also found no evidence for an association between potassium intakes and the risk of hypertension. A similar analysis conducted by the NASEM committee that included 16 trials found that potassium supplements significantly lowered systolic blood pressure by a mean of 6.

However, the effects were stronger among studies including participants with hypertension; for studies including only participants without hypertension, the effects were not statistically significant. Based on 13 randomized controlled trials that primarily enrolled patients with hypertension, the AHRQ review found that the use of potassium-containing salt substitutes in place of sodium chloride significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in adults by a mean of 5.

However, reducing sodium intake decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults, and increasing potassium intake via food or supplements did not reduce blood pressure any further. This finding suggests that at least some of the beneficial effects of potassium salt substitutes on blood pressure may be due to the accompanying reduction in sodium intake, rather than the increase in potassium intake.

Higher potassium intakes have been associated with a decreased risk of stroke and possibly other cardiovascular diseases CVDs [ 16 , 49 ]. However, the AHRQ review found inconsistent relationships between potassium intakes and risk of stroke based on 15 observational studies [ 48 ]. Any beneficial effect of potassium on CVD is likely due to its antihypertensive effects. However, some research shows a benefit even when blood pressure is accounted for.

These findings suggest that other mechanisms e. The FDA has approved the following health claim: "Diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke" [ 17 ].

Overall, the evidence suggests that consuming more potassium might have a favorable effect on blood pressure and stroke, and it might also help prevent other forms of CVD. However, more research on both dietary and supplemental potassium is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Kidney stones Kidney stones are most common in people aged 40 to 60 [ 52 ]. Stones containing calcium—in the form of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate—are the most common type of kidney stone. Low potassium intakes impair calcium reabsorption within the kidney, increasing urinary calcium excretion and potentially causing hypercalciuria and kidney stones [ 16 , 37 ].

Low urinary levels of citrate also contribute to kidney stone development. Observational studies show inverse associations between dietary potassium intakes and risk of kidney stones. Some research suggests that supplementation with potassium citrate reduces hypercalciuria as well as the risk of kidney stone formation and growth [ 52 , 55 ]. In a clinical trial of 57 patients with at least two kidney stones either calcium oxalate or calcium oxalate plus calcium phosphate over the previous 2 years and hypocitraturia low urinary citrate levels , supplementation with 30—60 mEq potassium citrate providing 1, to 2, mg potassium for 3 years significantly reduced kidney stone formation compared with placebo [ 55 ].

This study was included in a Cochrane review of seven studies that examined the effects of potassium citrate, potassium-sodium citrate, and potassium-magnesium citrate supplementation on the prevention and treatment of calcium-containing kidney stones in a total of participants, most of whom had calcium oxalate stones [ 52 ]. The potassium citrate salts significantly reduced the risk of new stones and reduced stone size. However, the proposed mechanism involves citrate, not potassium per se; citrate forms complexes with urinary calcium and increases urine pH, inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate crystals [ 52 , 56 ].

The authors of the AHRQ review [ 48 ] concluded that observational studies suggest an association between higher potassium intakes and lower risk of kidney stones. However, they also found the evidence insufficient to determine whether potassium supplements are effective because only one trial that addressed this question [ 55 ] met their inclusion criteria. Additional research is needed to fully understand the potential link between dietary and supplemental potassium and the risk of kidney stones.

Bone health Observational studies suggest that increased consumption of potassium from fruits and vegetables is associated with increased bone mineral density [ 57 ]. This evidence, combined with evidence from metabolic studies and a few clinical trials, suggests that dietary potassium may improve bone health. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but one hypothesis is that potassium helps protect bone through its effect on acid-base balance [ 37 ].

Diets that are high in acid-forming foods, such as meats and cereal grains, contribute to metabolic acidosis and might have an adverse effect on bone.

Alkaline components in the form of potassium salts potassium bicarbonate or citrate, but not potassium chloride from food or potassium supplements might counter this effect and help preserve bone tissue. In the Framingham Heart Study for example, higher potassium intake was associated with significantly greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women [ 58 ].

In another study, the DASH eating pattern significantly reduced biochemical markers of bone turnover [ 59 ]. This eating pattern has a lower acid load than typical Western diets and is also high in calcium and magnesium, in addition to potassium, so any independent contribution of potassium cannot be determined. Only a few clinical trials have examined the effects of potassium supplements on markers of bone health.

Potassium supplementation significantly increased bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and bone microarchitecture compared with placebo. Conversely, a clinical trial in postmenopausal women aged 55—65 years found that supplementation with potassium citrate at either Overall, higher intakes of potassium from diets that emphasize fruits and vegetables might improve bone health. Although obesity is the primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes, other metabolic factors also play a role.

Because potassium is needed for insulin secretion from pancreatic cells, hypokalemia impairs insulin secretion and could lead to glucose intolerance [ 2 ].

This effect has been observed mainly with long-term use of diuretics particularly those containing thiazides or hyperaldosteronism excessive aldosterone production , which both increase urinary potassium losses, but it can occur in healthy individuals as well [ 2 , 10 , 16 , 65 ]. Numerous observational studies of adults have found associations between lower potassium intakes or lower serum or urinary potassium levels and increased rates of fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes [ ].

These associations might be stronger in African Americans, who tend to have lower potassium intakes, than in whites [ 68 , 71 ]. For example, one study of 1, adults aged 18—30 years without diabetes found that those with urinary potassium levels in the lowest quintile were more than twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes over 15 years of follow-up than those in the highest quintile [ 68 ].

Among 4, participants from the same study with potassium intake data, African Americans with lower potassium intakes had a significantly greater risk of type 2 diabetes over 20 years of follow-up than those with higher intakes, but this association was not found in whites. Serum potassium levels were inversely associated with fasting glucose levels in 5, participants aged 45—84 years from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, but these levels had no significant association with diabetes risk over 8 years of follow-up [ 70 ].

Although observational studies suggest that potassium status is linked to blood glucose control and type 2 diabetes, this association has not been adequately evaluated in clinical trials. In a small clinical trial in 29 African American adults with prediabetes and low to normal serum potassium levels 3.

The findings from studies conducted to date are promising. Dietary potassium In healthy people with normal kidney function, high dietary potassium intakes do not pose a health risk because the kidneys eliminate excess amounts in the urine [ 1 ]. Although case reports indicate that very large doses of potassium supplements can cause heart abnormalities and death, the NASEM committee concluded that these reports do not provide sufficient evidence to set a UL [ 11 ].

In addition, there is no evidence that high intakes of potassium cause hyperkalemia in adults with normal kidney function or other adverse effects. Therefore, the committee did not set a UL for potassium. However, in people with impaired urinary potassium excretion due to chronic kidney disease or the use of certain medications, such as angiotensin converting enzyme ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics, even dietary potassium intakes below the AI can cause hyperkalemia [ 11 ].

Hyperkalemia can also occur in people with type 1 diabetes, congestive heart failure, adrenal insufficiency, or liver disease [ 7 ]. Individuals at risk of hyperkalemia should consult a physician or registered dietitian about appropriate potassium intakes from all sources. Information on low-potassium diets is also available from the National Kidney Disease Education Program. Although hyperkalemia can be asymptomatic, severe cases can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, heart palpitations, paresthesias a burning or prickling sensation in the extremities , and cardiac arrhythmias that could be life threatening [ 1 , 7 ].

Potassium from dietary supplements, salt substitutes, and medications Potassium supplements can cause minor gastrointestinal side effects [ 48 ]. Chronic ingestion of doses of potassium supplements e. The use of potassium salts in certain medications has been associated with small-bowel lesions, causing obstruction, hemorrhage, and perforation [ 20 , 74 ].

For this reason, the FDA requires some oral drugs providing more than 99 mg of potassium to be labeled with a warning. Several types of medications have the potential to affect potassium status in ways that could be dangerous. A few examples are provided below. People taking these and other medications should discuss their potassium intakes and status with their healthcare providers.

These medications reduce urinary potassium excretion, which can lead to hyperkalemia. Experts recommend monitoring potassium status in people taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs, especially if they have other risk factors for hyperkalemia, such as impaired kidney function [ 75 ].

Experts recommend monitoring potassium status in people taking these medications, especially if they have impaired kidney function or other risk factors for hyperkalemia [ 78 ].

Experts recommend monitoring potassium status in people taking these medications, and initiating potassium supplementation if warranted [ 77 ]. A high potassium intake is not healthy for a person with kidney disease.

A doctor will advise anyone with kidney problems about how much potassium to consume. The best way to take in potassium is through a healthy diet. If anyone has concerns about their potassium levels, they should speak to their doctor. Hypokalemia occurs when a person has too little potassium in their blood.

Symptoms can include low blood pressure and muscle twitching. Read on to…. People need calcium for bone health and other functions. Find out why people need calcium, which foods provide it, and what happens if they consume…. Zinc is a mineral that is essential for human health. Here, find out why people need zinc, which foods supply it, and what happens if levels are too…. Low sodium in the blood can cause confusion, lethargy, and nausea.

Treatment depends on the cause. Learn more about low sodium levels, risk factors…. What is hypernatremia? Read on to learn about the definition, causes, symptoms, and treatment of excessively high sodium levels in the blood. Everything you need to know about potassium. Recommended intake Benefits Food sources Supplements Deficiency Risks Drug interactions Takeaway Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals.

Recommended intake. Food sources. Too much potassium. Drug interactions. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. On this page What is potassium?

What does potassium do? Can I have too much or too little potassium? How much potassium do I need? Related information on Australian websites What is potassium? The potential health benefits of potassium include: reducing blood pressure protecting against strokes protecting against osteoporosis preventing kidney stones reducing water retention The kidneys control potassium levels in the body and remove excess potassium in urine. An imbalance of potassium can lead to health problems: Low potassium Low potassium hypokalaemia can lead to symptoms including weakness, tiredness, muscle cramps, constipation and abnormal heart rhythms.

High potassium A high potassium hyperkalaemia is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Back To Top. General search results. Why and when to get tested for potassium. Why and when to get tested for magnesium. Electrolyte tests: how are they used; when are they requested; what do the test results mean? One the easiest steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure is choosing healthy foods. Managing chronic heart failure which drugs should be used in which patients?

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline 24 hour health advice you can count on Your kidneys help to keep the right amount of potassium in your body. If you have chronic kidney disease , your kidneys may not remove extra potassium from the blood. Some medicines also can raise your potassium level. You may need a special diet to lower the amount of potassium that you eat.

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