Potassium
Potassium is an essential macromineral in human nutrition with a wide range of biochemical and physiological roles. It is important in the transmission of nerve impulses, the contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle, the production of energy, the synthesis of nucleic acids, the maintenance of intra-cellular tonicity and normal blood pressure, and the support of bone health and density. The major cause of potassium deficiency is excessive losses through the alimentary tract or through the kidneys. Supplements of potassium have been shown to reduce high blood pressure, protect against the risk of stroke and relieve muscular cramps. Some good sources are bananas, spinach, tomato puree, cauliflower and red pepper. There is no RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for potassium but it is found in most multivitamin and multi-mineral supplements, and daily intakes of about 3000 mg are recommended.
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Limited evidence is available about the relations between sodium and potassium intakes and cardiovascular disease in the general population………. The objective was to investigate relations between sodium and potassium intakes and cardiovascular disease in Asian populations whose mean sodium intake is generally high……… A high sodium intake and a low potassium intake may increase the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease.
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Umesawa, M et al. (2008). Relations between dietary sodium and potassium intakes and mortality from cardiovascular disease: the Japan collaborative cohort study for evaluation of cancer risks. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88(11), 195-202. The beneficial effects of potassium-enriched salt on blood pressure have been reported in a few short-term trials. The long-term effects of potassium-enriched salt on cardiovascular mortality have not been carefully studied………This study showed a long-term beneficial effect on CVD mortality and medical expenditure associated with a switch from regular salt to potassium-enriched salt in a group of elderly veterans. The effect was likely due to a major increase in potassium and a moderate reduction in sodium intakes.o Chang, H-Y et al. (2006). Effect of potassium-enriched salt on cardiovascular mortality and medical expenses of elderly men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83(6), 1289-96.
Associations between blood pressure and nutrition-related variables (body mass index, dietary intake, and 24-hr excretion of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the urine) were investigated in men (n = 138) and women (n = 117) 65-79 years old not using drugs known to affect blood pressure and not on a diet……….. From the results it appears that, besides "normal" weight, increased potassium intake and urinary excretion may exert a protective effect among elderly men against hypertension when sodium exposure is relatively high.
o Lowik, MR et al. (1991). Nutrition and blood pressure among elderly men and women (Dutch nutrition surveillance system). Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 10(2), 2149-55.
Osteoporosis and low bone mass are currently estimated to be a major public health threat. Adequate nutrition plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; the micronutrients of greatest importance are calcium and vitamin D………….. The other micronutrient needs for optimizing bone health can be easily met by a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables to ensure adequate intakes for magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and other potentially important nutrients.o Nieves, JW. (2005). Osteoporosis: the role of micronutrients. Am J Clin Nutr, 81(5), 1232-9.
The Western diet may be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Excess acid generated from high protein intakes increases calcium excretion and bone resorption. Fruit and vegetable intake could balance this excess acidity by providing alkaline salts of potassium……… Dietary potassium, an indicator of NEAP (net endogenous acid production) and fruit and vegetable intake, may exert a modest influence on markers of bone health, which over a lifetime may contribute to a decreased risk of osteoporosis.o MacDonald, HW et al. (2005). Low dietary potassium intakes and high dietary estimates of net endogenous acid production are associated with low bone mineral density in premenopausal women and increased markers of bone resorption in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr, 81(4), 923-33.
The purpose of this study was to determine relationships of calcium (Ca), protein (Pr), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to measures of bone mineral density in adult men………. Our analysis provides support that a moderate protein (1.2 g/kg) diet, plentiful in potassium (>100 mmol/day) and phosphorus (1741 ± 535 mg) is beneficial for maintaining bone mineral density in adult men when Ca intake was adequate (1200 ± 515 mg).o Whiting, SJ et al. (2002). Dietary protein, phosphorus and potassium are beneficial to bone mineral density in adult men consuming adequate dietary calcium . J Am Coll Nutr, 21(5), 402-9.
Osteoporosis and related fractures will be growing public health problems as the population ages. It is therefore of great importance to identify modifiable risk factors………. We investigated associations between dietary components contributing to an alkaline environment (dietary potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetables) and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly subjects………… Greater potassium intake was significantly associated with greater BMD at all 4 sites for men and at 3 sites for women (P < 0.05). Magnesium intake was associated with greater BMD at one hip site for both men and women and in the forearm for men. Fruit and vegetable intake was associated with BMD at 3 sites for men and 2 for women. Greater intakes of potassium and magnesium were also each associated with less decline in BMD at 2 hip sites, and greater fruit and vegetable intake was associated with less decline at 1 hip site, in men.o Tucker, KL et al. (1999). Potassium, magnesium, and fruit and vegetable intakes are associated with greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women. Am J Clin Nutr, 69(4), 727-36.