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Friday, March 9, 2018

Potassium Food sources,Deficiencies and Side effects

Potassium is a mineral that's crucial for life. Potassium is necessary for the heartkidneys, and other organs to work normally.

Why do people take potassium?

Most people who eat a healthy diet should get enough potassium naturally. Low potassium is associated with a risk of high blood pressureheart diseasestrokearthritiscancerdigestive disorders, and infertility. For people with low potassium, doctors sometimes recommend improved diets -- or potassium supplements -- to prevent or treat some of these conditions.
Potassium deficiencies are more common in people who:
  • Use certain medicines, such as diuretics
  • Have physically demanding jobs
  • Athletes exercising in hot climates and sweating excessively
  • Have health conditions that affect their digestive absorption, such as Crohn's disease
  • Have an eating disorder
  • Smoke
  • Abuse alcohol or drugs

How much potassium should you take?




The Institute of Medicine has set an adequate intake for potassium. Getting this amount of potassium from diet, with or without supplements, should be enough to keep you healthy. The FDA has determined that foods that contain at least 350 milligrams of potassium can bear the following label: "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke."
Category
Adequate Intake (AI)
CHILDREN
0-6 months
400 mg/day
7-12 months
700 mg/day
1-3 years
3,000 mg/day
4-8 years
3,800 mg/day
9-13 years
4,500 mg/day
14 years and up
4,700 mg/day
ADULTS
18 years and up
4,700 mg/day
Pregnant women
4,700 mg/day
5,100 mg/day
Always take potassium supplements with a full glass of water or juice.
There is no set upper limit for potassium. So it's not clear exactly how much potassium you can take safely. However, very high doses of potassium can be deadly.

Can you get potassium naturally from foods?




Good natural food sources of potassium include:
  • Bananas
  • Avocados
  • Nuts, like almonds and peanuts
  • Citrus fruits
  • Leafy, green vegetables
  • Milk
  • Potatoes
Keep in mind that some types of cooking, such as boiling, can decrease the potassium content in some foods.

What are the risks of taking potassium?




  • Side effects. In high doses, potassium can be dangerous. Do not take potassium supplements without talking to you doctor. At normal doses, potassium is fairly safe. It may cause an upset stomach. Some people have allergies to potassium supplements.
  • Warnings. People with kidney diseasediabetesheart diseaseAddison's diseasestomach ulcers, or other health problems should never take potassium supplements without talking to a doctor first.
  • Overdose. Signs of a potassium overdose include muscle weakness or paralysis, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling sensation in the limbs, low blood pressure, and coma. Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • Other common side effects are: muscle weakness or paralysis, cardiac conduction abnormalities, and cardiac arrhythmias, including sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest, slow idioventricular rhythms, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and asystole.
credit/source: https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-potassium#1g



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