An adequate intake of potassium is 3, milligrams mg per day for healthy adult males and 2, mg per day for healthy adult females. The table below shows specific recommendations for different age groups. The adequate intake during pregnancy is 2, mg, and it is 2, mg while breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
A person should aim to get their potassium from a healthy, balanced diet that provides a range of vitamins and minerals. In some circumstances, a doctor may recommend supplements. Potassium is an electrolyte that the body needs to stay healthy. As the American Heart Association AHA note, foods that contain potassium can help manage blood pressure by reducing the negative impact of sodium.
Having high sodium levels can increase the risk of high blood pressure. In healthy people, potassium lowers this risk by helping the body remove sodium. It also helps manage blood pressure by relaxing the walls of the blood vessels. An adequate potassium intake may prevent or manage high blood pressure. And if a person has a high potassium intake and a low sodium intake, this may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Potassium may play a role in bone health. Studies have suggested that people who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables that contain potassium may have higher bone mineral density. However, confirming this will require more research. If the finding is true, researchers will also need to discover the reason behind it and whether supplements have the same effect.
A diet high in potassium may also help preserve muscle mass in older people and people who have health conditions that lead to muscle wasting. High calcium levels in the kidneys can result in kidney stones. Research from notes that switching to the DASH diet may help reduce the risk of kidney stones, as the diet favors foods that are rich in potassium and other essential nutrients. However, people with kidney failure should not consume too much potassium, as it could have a negative impact.
In this case, a doctor will recommend how much potassium to include in the diet. Potassium is present in many plant-based foods, but processing reduces the levels of this nutrient.
Anyone with a diet high in processed foods may have a low potassium intake. Many processed foods are also high in sodium, so a person with a highly processed diet may need to increase their potassium intake accordingly. Overall, dried fruits and pulses are good sources of potassium.
The table below shows specific amounts in 1 serving of various potassium-rich foods. In most cases, a healthy diet provides enough potassium, especially if the diet is low in sodium. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend supplements. There is some evidence that these may help :. However, confirming that potassium supplements can help treat or prevent these health issues will require more research.
Ask a doctor before using potassium supplements. Potassium is essential for life. It allows the nerves to respond to stimulation and muscles to contract tighten , including those in the heart. It also offsets the effect of sodium present in table salt in raising blood pressure , and moves nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells.
The kidneys control potassium levels in the body and remove excess potassium in urine. If the kidneys do not work properly, potassium may build up in the blood.
This can be a very dangerous condition because it may cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop beating. The amount of potassium in the body can be affected by the climate, physical activity, using diuretics, and consuming sodium salt. Low potassium hypokalaemia can lead to symptoms including weakness, tiredness, muscle cramps, constipation and abnormal heart rhythms.
Hypokalaemia can happen if you become dehydrated, for example due to vomiting or diarrhoea, or from sweating excessively. Diuretics fluid tablets can also cause low potassium.
Sometimes, people may have low potassium because they are not eating enough foods high in potassium. A high potassium hyperkalaemia is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It is usually discovered through blood tests ordered to explain or monitor another condition.
If you have unusually high levels of potassium, you can feel weak and tired, feel nauseous and have an abnormal heart rhythm. Hyperkalaemia can be caused by kidney disease or taking medications that decrease the amount of potassium the body removes in the urine. If you have these symptoms and believe your potassium levels might be high, contact your doctor immediately. They can check your potassium levels with a blood test. Because having too much potassium can affect your health, only take a potassium supplement under medical supervision.
Babies under 12 months can get all the potassium they need from breast milk, formula and food. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Read more on Queensland Health website. Educational content made possible by Vifor Pharma and AstraZeneca. Donate Now. Give Monthly Give In Honor. High potassium hyperkalemia. What do you know about high potassium and kidney disease? Take a quick quiz to find out! Take the quiz. Manage your potassium levels with diet and treatment. Explore Kidney Kitchen. Frequently asked questions about hyperkalemia What causes high potassium? The most common cause of high potassium is kidney disease.
Other causes of high potassium include: Dehydration Some medicines Uncontrolled diabetes Injuries that cause severe bleeding Some rare diseases If you have kidney disease, you are at risk for high potassium because your kidneys cannot remove the extra potassium in your blood. What are the symptoms of high potassium? If you do feel symptoms, some of the most common are: Feeling tired or weak Feeling sick to the stomach nausea Muscle pains or cramps Trouble breathing, unusual heartbeat, chest pains If you have trouble breathing or think there could be a problem with your heart, call for emergency help.
What are the complications of high potassium? If you think you are having a heart attack, call for emergency help. Some of the most common signs of heart attack are: Feelings of pressure, pain, or squeezing in your chest or arms Stomach pain or nausea Shortness of breath Breaking into a cold sweat Sudden feelings of dizziness. What are the tests for high potassium? What are the treatments for high potassium?
Potassium binders Medicines for high potassium are called potassium binders. Follow these tips to keep your potassium at the right level: Avoid salt substitutes because they are usually high in potassium.
Do not forget about drinks. Many fruit juices, like orange and tomato, have high potassium. Potassium can also be found in other drinks including coconut water. Pay attention to serving sizes. Use measuring cups and measuring spoons to make sure you know how many servings you are eating or drinking. Remember that if you eat two servings of a food with potassium, you are eating twice as much potassium!
To manage your potassium intake, you need to know how much potassium is in your food and drinks. Packaged foods must have nutrition labels, but potassium is not always listed on the label. If you do not see potassium listed on the nutrition label, check the list of ingredients on the package. Starting in July , potassium values will be listed on food nutrition labels. You can read more about these changes here. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and some dairy products do not have nutrition labels.
Ask your dietitian for a list of high-potassium foods and lower potassium options.
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