Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious health issue that can lead to heart attacks or strokes. A number of factors influence the development of high blood pressure, including family history, lifestyle, diet and certain illnesses. Some research suggests that adding potassium to your diet can lower blood pressure. Consult your physician before making any dietary changes as too much potassium can cause serious health complications.
Hypertension
Hypertension is a common disorder, affecting one in four adults in the United States, according to Colorado State University. Blood pressure measures the force of blood on your artery walls. As you age, your blood vessels become stiffer and your blood pressure is likely to rise. Excessive sodium intake, smoking, drinking alcohol or being overweight are all linked to hypertension. Medications are often prescribed to treat hypertension. However, lifestyle and diet adjustments can treat hypertension in many people.
Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium is an essential mineral found in foods that is necessary for a number of different functions in your body, including working with sodium to regulate the water balance in your body. Potassium bicarbonate is a chemical substance, similar to baking powder, used as a leavening agent in baking or to add alkalinity to foods. Potassium bicarbonate can also be used to treat a potassium deficiency as well as health problems. Colorado State University suggests that the more potassium and the less sodium a person has in his diet, the more likely he will have normal blood pressure.
Potassium and Hypertension
Research published in "Hypertension" in 2010 found that potassium bicarbonate may help to improve cardiovascular health. The researchers conducted a double-blind, randomized study on 42 individuals with untreated, mild hypertension. The participants received a placebo, potassium chloride or potassium bicarbonate supplement for 12 weeks. Potassium, in either form, was found to have a number of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Another meta-analysis published in "JAMA" in 1997 reviewed 33 clinical trials and found that low potassium intake may play an important role in hypertension.
Potassium and Stroke
Untreated hypertension can lead to strokes. A number of studies have suggested that lower levels of potassium increase stroke risk. An observational study published in "Stroke" in 2001 found that lower dietary potassium was associated with an increase in the risk of stroke. The study included 9,805 U.S. men and women who completed surveys. After an average of 19 years for follow up, researchers found that 927 strokes and 1,847 coronary heart disease events were noted. Participants who consumed a low potassium diet at the first survey were 28 percent more likely to experience a stroke.
Precautions and Dosage
Consult your physician before adding potassium bicarbonate to your diet. Potassium bicarbonate can interact with other medications and supplements. Too much potassium can also pose health risks. Follow the label directions when taking potassium bicarbonate. Drugs.com recommends taking potassium bicarbonate with a full glass of water and adding food or milk to reduce an upset stomach. To prevent the risk of hypertension, you can also eat food higher in potassium. Many fruits and vegetables contain potassium.
References
- Colorado State University; Diet and Hypertension; J. Anderson, et al.; August 2008
- Drugs.com; Potassium Bicarbonate; December 2010
- "Hypertension"; Effects of Potassium Chloride and Potassium Bicarbonate on Endothelial Function, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Bone Turnover in Mild Hypertensives; Feng. J. He, et al.; January 2010
- "JAMA"; Effects of Oral Potassium on Blood Pressure; P.K Whelton, et al.; 1997
- "Stoke"; Dietary Potassium Intake and Risk of Stroke in US Men and Women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study; L.A. Bazzano, et al.; July 2001
- PubMed Health; Hypertension; June 2011
