Normal potassium blood levels are necessary for good health. Usually, a balanced diet will deliver all the potassium you need. On occasion, supplementation may be necessary it you have lost too much potassium due to illness or certain medical treatments. Your doctor may recommend liquid potassium supplements to bring your blood levels back within normal limits.
Significance
If your serum potassium levels are low, you may suffer symptoms such as mood changes, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness or irregular heart beat. It is important to normalize your potassium levels as soon as possible. One way of accomplishing this is by injections given by your health care provider. Another important approach is the use of oral liquid supplements available by prescription. In some areas, potassium supplements may be available over the counter.
Interestingly, potassium imbalance, whether high or low, can cause similar symptoms. An overload of potassium can cause muscle weakness, confusion, difficulty breathing and irregular heart beat.
Considerations
Potassium supplements are manufactured in a few different forms, all of which must be diluted or dissolved in a liquid. Generally, supplements are available in the following forms; effervescent tablets similar to Alka Seltzer, solution, powder and granules. Each form requires special preparation methods, because potassium has the potential to irritate your stomach, which could lead to ulcers. Potassium can also act as a laxative when it is not properly prepared.
If you are on a salt- or sugar-restricted diet, ask your doctor if there is any type of juice that is best to avoid when diluting your supplement. Tomato juice is high in sodium and many fruit juices are high in sugars.
Types
Three types of potassium are used in liquid supplements: bicarbonate, chloride and bicarbonate/citrate. Some brands are sugar-free, including Cytra-K, or potassium citrate, Klor-Con/EF, or potassium bicarbonate, Kay Ciel and Klor-Con/25, which are both potassium chloride, and others. If you are concerned with using a supplement that contains sugar, discuss this with your doctor. She will be able to determine the most appropriate supplement for you.
Potassium Sweetner
Liquid potassium supplements require a form of sweetener to make them more palatable. Pedialyte, a popular electrolyte liquid supplement used for babies and children with diarrhea, is sugar free but is sweetened by Aesulfame K, or ace K. This sweetener is made of acesulfame potassium manufactured by Celanese AG. It is marketed under the brand name Sunett and is used to sweeten thousands of foods, beverages, oral hygiene aids and pharmaceutical products. Sunett is 200 times sweeter than sugar, is calorie free and has been used in the U.S. since 2003. If your liquid potassium supplement tastes sweet but is sugar free, it could be sweetened by ace K or another type of sugar substitute. To be certain of the ingredients in your supplement, ask your health care provider or nutritionist.
Warning
The experts at the Mayo Clinic warn that use of oral, non-prescription, over-the-counter potassium supplements can be dangerous. Too much potassium can cause health problems. You should not use potassium supplements if you have kidney problems or untreated Addison's disease unless you are monitored by a doctor. Taking potassium supplements while using certain types of medications such as angiotensin-converting enzymes or ACE inhibitors, corticosteroids and corticotropin or ACTH and potassium-sparring diuretics or water pills can lead to dangerously high and even toxic levels. Do not take oral potassium unless you are directed to do so by your health care provider.
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