You need some potassium
for good health. This mineral is used for heart function, muscle
contraction, nerve impulses, digestion and metabolism. Potassium is also
an electrolyte, and as such helps to conduct electricity within the
body. However, it is also possible to get too much potassium, which can
be dangerous
.
Sources
Potassium-rich foods include citrus fruits, bananas, cantaloupes,
plums, raisins, tomatoes, acorn squash, avocados, spinach, potatoes,
lima beans, artichokes, almonds, sunflower seeds, meat, chicken, cod,
salmon and flounder. You can also buy potassium supplements, and most
multivitamins include potassium. Consult your doctor before taking
separate potassium supplements as these can cause side effects and may
interact with medications you are taking.
Adequate Intake
The
adequate intake for babies up to 6 months old is 400 mg per day and
that for babies between 7 and 12 months old is 700 mg per day. The
adequate intake for 1 to 3 year olds is 3,000 mg per day, for 4 to 8
year olds is 3,800 mg per day, for 9 to 13 year olds is 4,500 mg per day
and for those 14 and above is 4,700 mg per day. Women who are
breast-feeding should consume 5,100 mg per day.
Hyperkalemia
It
is unlikely you will consume too much potassium from food sources.
However, you can get too much potassium from supplements. Consuming too
much potassium causes hyperkalemia, a condition where the kidney can no
longer remove all of the excess potassium from your body. Symptoms
include nausea, an irregular heartbeat
and a slow pulse, though many people with hyperkalemia show no
symptoms. Taking a single dose of 18 g may be toxic even if you're
healthy. However, if you have kidney function problems, you may develop
hyperkalemia with lower doses of potassium.
Drug Interactions
Potassium
supplements can interact with some medications, so consult your doctor
before taking them. NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, cyclosporine, heparin, beta
blockers, potassium sparing agents, digitalis, angiotensin receptor
blockers and the antibiotic trimethoprimand sulfamethoxazole can all
increase potassium levels in the body, increasing your risk for
hyperkalemia.
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