This article was co-authored by Damaris Vega, MD. Dr. Damaris Vega is a board certified Endocrinologist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a BS in General Science and subsequently earned an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, PR. During medical school, Dr. Vega served as president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was selected as her school's representative for the American Association of Medical Colleges. She then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Mineral, and Metabolism at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Vega has been recognized for excellent patient care multiple times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and received the Patients' Choice Award in 2008, 2009, and 2015. She is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. Dr. Vega is also the founder and CEO of Houston Endocrinology Center as well as a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials at Juno Research, LLC.
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Potassium is an important electrolyte that keeps our bodies functioning properly. Potassium helps to conduct electrical charges through the body. When you become deficient in potassium, a medical condition called hypokalemia, you can develop an irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, body pain, and constipation.[1] If you are potassium-deficient, scroll down to Step 1 to find out how you can boost your potassium levels.
Steps
Eating Potassium-Rich Foods
Most cases of hypokalemia, or potassium deficiency, are commonly caused by short course illnesses like vomiting and diarrhea. Replenishing your potassium sources is the simplest and most effective way to treat potassium loss.
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1Eat fruits rich in potassium. As most people know, bananas are very rich in potassium. In fact, one banana contains 594 mg of potassium. However, there are other fruits that can help you restore your levels of potassium. These fruits include:[2]
- Tomatoes (one small tomato can contain 900 mg of potassium), oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwis and the dried versions of apricots, peaches, prunes, and raisins.
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2Consume some potassium-rich vegetables. Fruits are not the only great source of potassium. Vegetables can also give your potassium levels a boost. Veggies that will kick start your potassium intake include:[3]
- Carrots (one cup of raw carrots contains 689 mg of potassium), potatoes, spinach and other dark, leafy greens, mushrooms, and acorn squash.
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3Eat sources of protein that are high in potassium. Salmon is one of the best proteins to eat when trying to restore your potassium levels. Three ounces of this fish generally contains about 319 mg of potassium. Lean beef and white beans are also excellent sources of both potassium and protein.[4]
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4Combine some of these items for high-potassium meals. While eating all of these potassium-rich foods separately is great, making a meal out of them is even better. Try composing your meals so that they are as high in potassium as possible. Some meal ideas include[5] :
- Yogurt (which is also potassium-rich) with bananas and raisins.
- Cooked salmon with sauteed mushrooms and a spinach salad.
- A snack of dried apricots and raw carrots.
Using Potassium Supplements
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1Consult your doctor before taking potassium supplements. If you are only mildly potassium deficient, eating potassium-rich foods should balance out your potassium levels. Once you have purchased potassium supplements, only take the prescribed amount--over compensating and taking more than the prescribed amount could lead to diarrhea, stomach irritation, and nausea and may cause muscle weakness, slowed heart rate, and abnormal heart rhythm.[6]
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2Take potassium supplements in pill form. Extended-release form tablets are designed so that it will not dissolve in the stomach, but in the intestines. This extended release will help prevent the irritation of gastric lining. Potassium tablets should be taken with one full glass of water.[7]
- Do not crush or chew potassium tablet as this will affect their extended-release feature.
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3Try a powdered or liquid form of potassium. You can purchase potassium powder or liquid that can be mixed with water and then drunk. For the correct dosage, you should follow the instructions provided by your doctor. Generally, powdered and liquid potassium must be completely dissolved in a ½ glass of water. If too much of this powder or liquid is consumed, it could cause gastric irritation.[8]
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4Consider intravenous potassium. Taking potassium intravenously is strictly intended for extreme cases of potassium depletion and used under strict physician supervision. If you think your potassium levels are dangerously low, talk to your doctor about intravenous potassium. Do not try this on your own. Fast infusion may lead to cardiac irritation causing life threatening irregular cardiac rhythms.[9]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat can happen if your potassium level is too low?
Damaris Vega, MDDr. Damaris Vega is a board certified Endocrinologist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a BS in General Science and subsequently earned an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, PR. During medical school, Dr. Vega served as president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was selected as her school's representative for the American Association of Medical Colleges. She then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Mineral, and Metabolism at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Vega has been recognized for excellent patient care multiple times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and received the Patients' Choice Award in 2008, 2009, and 2015. She is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. Dr. Vega is also the founder and CEO of Houston Endocrinology Center as well as a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials at Juno Research, LLC.
Board Certified EndocrinologistCramps would be the main symptom of low potassium levels, specifically muscle cramps. You can also develop an arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat.
Warnings
- If potassium is administered intravenously, notify the attending caregiver, nurse, or physician when a burning sensation is felt in the vein. Be alert as well to identify adverse effects such as fast heartbeat, sweating, coldness, difficulty of breathing, and numbness. Intravenous administration of potassium should be given in a very slow rate.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- It is vitally important to follow your doctor's instructions pertaining to the dosage of potassium supplement. Do not consume more or less of the recommended dosage. In some cases, there might be some special considerations that you need to observe especially if you are taking other medication or you have certain illness.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ Damaris Vega, MD. Board Certified Endocrinologist. Expert Interview. 11 November 2020.
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abo9047
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abo9047
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/low_potassium_hypokalemia/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/should-i-take-a-potassium-supplement
- ↑ http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/10-high-potassium-foods.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/potassium-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/proper-use/drg-20070753
- ↑ http://www.globalrph.com/potassium_supplements.htm
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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