The name "salt" refers to a wide variety of different chemical compounds. Although there is not potassium in the table salt that you customarily use, potassium can be found in many salts that occur in nature. Some of these potassium salts make it to the table as salt substitutes, while others are used in everything from fire extinguishers to fertilizers.
Chemical Definition
Salts are the product of a reaction between an acid and a base. For example, when hydrochloric acid is mixed with the base sodium hydroxide, the sodium from the base binds to the chlorine atom in the acid to form NaCl, or ordinary table salt. While many salts occur in nature, all salts, including potassium salts, can be formed by reacting an acid and base together.
Potassium Salts
Since potassium is a positively charged ion, it forms salts easily with a variety of bases. For example, potassium chloride, potassium bicarbonate and potassium gluconate are all potassium-based salts. The salt is the entire molecule, not just the potassium atom. Potassium chloride can be used a a salt substitute, albeit one with a slightly bitter taste. Like potassium gluconate, potassium chloride can also be used as a dietary supplement.
Warning
Patients with advanced kidney disease who have elevated levels of serum potassium should avoid potassium-based salt substitutes. High levels of serum potassium cause nerves to fire erratically. Since the heart beats in response to nervous stimulation, the heart may beat irregularly when nerves do not fire properly. These irregular heart beats can cause true medical emergencies. Using other herbs and spices to season food is a safer approach.
Industrial Uses
A potassium salt known as potassium bicarbonate has a plethora of uses. In addition to being used as a potassium supplement for humans and in feed for livestock, it causes beverages to fizz, controls pH, and is used to leaven baked goods. Furthermore, it is used in detergents, de-icers and skin products.
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