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I have a low 3.4 reading of potassium. I already take 2 potassium meds . what foods can I eat to bring it up?
Because lack of potassium in the diet is rare, there is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for potassium, although adults should get a minimum of 1,600 mg to 2,000 mg of potassium a day and children should get at least 1,000 mg per day. Foods especially rich in potassium (containing more than 300 milligrams of potassium per serving) are acorn or butternut squash, potatoes (with skin), spinach, bananas, orange juice, avocados, lima beans, cantaloupes, peaches, tomatoes, flounder, salmon, and cod. Some salt substitutes also contain high amounts of potassium. [An extensive listing of potassium levels in foods is available from the USDA as a PDF document at http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/SR17/wtrank/sr17a306.pdf.]
For preventing potassium loss, the daily dose for adults is about 200 to 400 mg (5 to 10 milliequivalents) taken three to four times a day, for a total daily dose ranging from 600 mg to 1,600 mg per day. For treating potassium deficiency, approximately double the dose is used. A physician should determine children's doses. Because supplements typically don't contain more than 99 mg of potassium per tablet, you would have to take a large number of pills to reach the prescribed dose. You should consider using a prescription product, which provides more potassium per tablet or other dosage unit, in order to reduce the number of pills required.
Potassium from supplements can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, mild gas and vomiting, although these side effects may be reduced when potassium is taken with meals. More serious side effects, although less common, include confusion, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, anxiety, tiredness or weakness. They can also cause more severe stomach pain, chest or throat pain (when swallowing).
Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) have not been established for potassium because your body excretes excess potassium as long as your kidneys are healthy.
When taking potassium supplements, it is advisable that you increase your intake of magnesium. Many potassium products contain magnesium stearate, which improves the consistency of the product during manufacturing, but is not a significant source of magnesium.
Concerns and Cautions:
Individuals with kidney disease cannot properly control levels of electrolytes in the body; for this reason, the use of potassium (or any other mineral) can be dangerous and should be used only under medical supervision.
Individuals taking potassium-sparing diuretics (such as spironolactone), ACE inhibitors (such as captopril), or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole should not take potassium supplements without medical supervision as dangerous levels of potassium may develop. Liberal use of salt substitutes that contain potassium chloride can add to the potassium load. Liberal use of these products in people with kidney disease can cause dangerously high levels of potassium to build in the bloodstream.
For preventing potassium loss, the daily dose for adults is about 200 to 400 mg (5 to 10 milliequivalents) taken three to four times a day, for a total daily dose ranging from 600 mg to 1,600 mg per day. For treating potassium deficiency, approximately double the dose is used. A physician should determine children's doses. Because supplements typically don't contain more than 99 mg of potassium per tablet, you would have to take a large number of pills to reach the prescribed dose. You should consider using a prescription product, which provides more potassium per tablet or other dosage unit, in order to reduce the number of pills required.
Potassium from supplements can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, mild gas and vomiting, although these side effects may be reduced when potassium is taken with meals. More serious side effects, although less common, include confusion, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, anxiety, tiredness or weakness. They can also cause more severe stomach pain, chest or throat pain (when swallowing).
Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) have not been established for potassium because your body excretes excess potassium as long as your kidneys are healthy.
When taking potassium supplements, it is advisable that you increase your intake of magnesium. Many potassium products contain magnesium stearate, which improves the consistency of the product during manufacturing, but is not a significant source of magnesium.
Concerns and Cautions:
Individuals with kidney disease cannot properly control levels of electrolytes in the body; for this reason, the use of potassium (or any other mineral) can be dangerous and should be used only under medical supervision.
Individuals taking potassium-sparing diuretics (such as spironolactone), ACE inhibitors (such as captopril), or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole should not take potassium supplements without medical supervision as dangerous levels of potassium may develop. Liberal use of salt substitutes that contain potassium chloride can add to the potassium load. Liberal use of these products in people with kidney disease can cause dangerously high levels of potassium to build in the bloodstream.
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