What Are Potassium Supplements For?

Many foods contain potassium, so if you eat a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables it is unlikely that you will require or benefit from a potassium supplement. However, certain health conditions can lead to a potassium deficiency, and potassium supplements can help to counteract that deficiency.

Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral that is required for the proper function of cells, tissues and organs in the human body. Potassium acts as an electrolyte in your body that takes on either a positive or negative charge and helps to keep your bodily processes working right. In addition, potassium works with sodium to control the balance of water in your body. The website Nutritional Supplements Health Guide states that potassium also aids in the metabolism of sugar into glycogen, and thereby provides you with energy. According to Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-to-Z Guide to Supplements," potassium is also thought to encourage healthy bones, promote nervous system health, prevent heart attacks and strokes, aid in muscle contraction and regulate the transfer of nutrients through cell membranes.

Hypokalemia

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) states that the most important use of potassium supplements is for the treatment of hypokalemia, which is the term used for people who have a potassium deficiency. Symptoms of hypokalemia include weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances and an irregular heartbeat. However, hypokalemia is not usually caused by a low dietary intake; instead, it is most often caused by the body losing too much potassium in the urine or intestines.

Potassium Deficiency Causes

Potassium supplements may also be beneficial for individuals with kidney disorders, chronic diarrhea or vomiting, excessive sweating and malnutrition, or those who take laxative or diuretics. In addition, the UMMC states that if you have a malabsorption or irritable bowel disorder such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis you may benefit from a potassium supplement. However, you should have your potassium levels checked before supplementing with it.

Potassium and Blood Pressure

Preliminary research suggests that a low dietary intake of potassium can increase your risk for high blood pressure and that potassium supplements can help to reduce blood pressure. The UMMC warns, however, that studies done on potassium and blood pressure have shown conflicting results and that potassium supplements may only be useful if you have a preexisting potassium deficiency.

Recommendations and Precautions

Potassium supplements come in tablet, capsule, powered and liquid form. According to the Nutritional Supplements Health Guide website, potassium citrate is thought to be the most easily absorbed of the several different varieties of potassium supplements. Potassium supplements can interact negatively with certain medications, and may cause unwanted side effects such as diarrhea, stomach irritation, muscle weakness and nausea. For optimal health, keeping the right potassium balance in your body is essential, and too much potassium can lead to a dangerous condition called hyperkalemia. As such, you should talk to your healthcare practitioner before supplementing with potassium.