What Are The Benefits Of Potassium Supplements?

As the most prevalent mineral in our body's cells, potassium is vital to our health and well-being. Potassium helps to control the body's fluid balance, transmit nerve signals and help the muscles contract. Although most people don't need to supplement with potassium, there are some circumstances where it may prove beneficial. Seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before supplementing with potassium.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the third most deadly disease, according to Dr. Mark Houston, author of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension." For people with hypertension, Dr. Houston says that supplementing with 2,400 to 4,800 mg of potassium each day results in a significant drop in blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, it is important to consult your doctor before taking potassium supplements. Too much potassium in the blood can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia, which can cause heart attack or death.

Stroke Prevention

Supplementing with potassium may help prevent stroke, according to nutritional counselor Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." As people age, potassium becomes less effective in the body, and this deficiency can lead to health problems such as stroke. For this reason, if you are an older person you should talk to your doctor about the benefits of supplementing with potassium.

Dr. Shari Lieberman, author of "The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book," says that, rather than supplementing with potassium, most people would benefit from reducing sodium intake. The ideal ratio between sodium and potassium is 1-to-1. Most people need to reduce sodium intake to achieve this balance.

Recovery Aid

Your doctor may suggest a potassium supplement following an illness or in the case of severe malnutrition or diarrhea. Other circumstances that may cause potassium depletion include burns or other injuries to body tissues, or having a fever for an extended period of time.

Drugs

If you take steroids, laxatives or diuretics you may need to supplement to replace lost potassium, says the National Institutes of Health. These drugs accelerate potassium loss and may lead to potassium deficiency. Signs of potassium deficiency include muscle spasms or weakness, listlessness, rapid heartbeat and, rarely, heart failure. If you take any of these drugs, ask your doctor to do a blood test to determine if you are low in potassium.

Muscle fatigue

Supplementing with potassium will aid in your recovery after strenuous workouts says Alan Christianson, N.D., in the May 1999 issue of "Nutrition Science News."
Christianson says you should supplement before exercise for events lasting less than two hours, and during and after longer events.