While zinc and potassium supplements are to be safe to take together in proper amounts, you should be able to get your recommended zinc and potassium intake from a well-balanced diet. In addition, you can usually safely take both zinc and potassium, along with other vitamins and minerals, through a multivitamin.
Zinc
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, zinc is a trace mineral, a mineral your body needs in small amounts. Your body uses zinc to help support various systems and functions, from your immune system to vision, blood clotting and thyroid health. Zinc can also act like an antioxidant, or a compound that fights the damaging effects of substances called free radicals. Free radicals can contribute to the development of diseases such as heart disease and various types of cancer, so zinc may help your body reduce or prevent such health problems.
Potassium
The mineral potassium is an electrolyte, which means it is capable of conducting electricity through your body. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, this is necessary for proper nerve impulses and muscle function because these are controlled by the level of sodium and potassium in and around your cells. A potassium deficiency can make your nervous and muscle systems malfunction, leading to health problems such as fatigue, muscle cramps and heart arrhythmias, or an unsteady heartbeat.
Recommended Intake
While your body needs small amounts of zinc, the mineral is still critical for your health. An adult male should get 11 mg of zinc daily, while a normal adult female needs 9 mg. Pregnant women should get 11 mg, while breast-feeding mothers need 12 mg every day. You need a much greater amount of potassium -- 4.7 g or 4,700 mg -- of the mineral daily if you are an adult. Pregnant women still need the same amount, but breast-feeding women should get 5.1 g every day.
Sources
While you can take zinc and potassium supplements, you can prevent any accidental toxicity by getting these minerals through your diet. Red meat, such as beef and pork, is rich in zinc, while nuts and legumes are also high in the mineral. Vegetarians may want to supplement their diet with a multivitamin, since zinc is just one of essential nutrients found primarily in red meat. Potassium is primarily found in fruits and vegetables, from bananas to potatoes to squash.
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