The Nutritional Benefits of Potassium Citrate

Potassium citrate is a macro-mineral/ salt that can bechard, mushrooms, raw, fennel (bulb), romaine
found in many foods. The mineral helps to reduce thelettuce, raw celery, boiled mustard greens, raw
acidity of urine. It is often used in the treatment ofcauliflower, raw broccoli, all varieties of summer and
kidney diseases and gout. It works by helping towinter squash, ripe tomatoes, cooked turnip greens,
transmit nerve impulses, improving muscle function,raw carrots, boiled collard greens, raw cabbage,
and treating various metabolic disorders.eggplant, cantaloupe, boiled beets, papaya, snap and
The benefits of potassium citrate also help withstring green beans, yam, fresh kale, and Brussels
muscle contractions, such as cardiac, skeletal, andsprouts.
smooth muscles. The mineral helps to produce energyOverdosing on Potassium Citrate?
and the production of nucleic acids. Potassium citrateThere are people who don't really need a potassium
is believed to maintain healthy cells and normal bloodcitrate supplement.
pressure.People with kidney disease or kidney failure should
Potassium citrate is generally taken in conjunctionstay away from potassium citrate supplements. They
with water pills. The reason for this is that as excesscould end up doing more harm than good.
water is excreted from the body, it is possible that,Also, those people consuming potassium-restricting
with it, might come a drop in some importantmedications should not take potassium citrate
minerals and nutrients, particularly potassium. It is notsupplements unless their physician has given the all
recommended to take it without a physician'sclear.
guidance.Do not take salt products, either, because these
WHAT DOES THE MINERAL POTASSIUM CITRATEproducts often contain higher levels of potassium.
DO?Some symptoms to be aware of from excessive
Potassium citrate is responsible for regulating thepotassium consumption in the body, include stomach
water content within the human body, as well asupset, and may alter your heartbeat and also your
helping with the support of effective nerveblood pressure.
transmissions, regulating the electric impulses of theFor those people taking painkillers or
heart, thereby regulating ones blood pressure, and isanti-inflammatory drugs, they should stay away from
also a very important, if not, critical factor in thepotassium supplements, except if their physician has
body¹s use of carbohydrates and proteins.said otherwise or that it is ok.
HOW MUCH POTASSIUM DO WE GENERALLY NEEDPrecuations
For daily intake, men and women need at least 4.7You must take some precautions when taking
grams of potassium, or 2,000-4,000 mg. Womenpotassium citrate. Tell your doctor immediately if you
around the ages of 31 and 50 in America and thehave kidney problems, heart disease, or Addison's
United Kingdom, consume less than 50 percent of thedisease. If you have drug allergies or high blood
daily amount of potassium needed to maintain optimalpressure inform your doctor of these as well.
health.Another precaution when taking potassium citrate is
Men in America consume only slightly higher levels ofto not use salt substitutes or low salt milk. The
potassium. Most American diets contain 1,500-5,000reason for this is that these products will likely
mg of potassium daily. This is quite far under thecontain potassium. This could cause an accidental
recommended daily intake.excess of potassium and you could suffer the side
Symptoms of Potassium Deficiencyeffects or potassium citrate or an overdose. Follow
Some of the symptoms of potassium to be notedyour physician's directions and take it exactly as
are: tiredness, high and low blood pressure, acne, dryprescribed.
eyes, irritability, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscleKnown Side effects from taking Potassium citrate
weakness, depression, confusion, anxiety, insomnia,There are some side effects with the use of
frail skeletal structure, bone and joint pain, decreasedpotassium citrate. They include stomach upset,
reflexes, constipation, high cholesterol, and waternausea, vomiting, and/or loose stools. If these get
retention. Respiratory problems, excessive thirst,really severe you need to contact your physician.
evidence of protein in urine, less than adequateSomewhat more serious side effects include, muscle
growth, infertility and headaches are other symptomsweakness, mental changes, rapid/irregular heart beat,
of potassium deficiency.tingling or numbness of hands and/or feet. If stools
Clearly, if you want the benefits of potassium citrateare black and tarry, an unpleasant taste in the mouth,
and you struggle getting the mineral in your daily dietor nervousness, call your doctor or head to the
as is easily done as shown above, then looking into anearest emergency facility.
potassium citrate supplement becomes veryIn the event of an accidental overdose, you should
important to your health.call your local poison control center, or emergency
Do you need to supplement with Potassium Citrate?facility, immediately and follow their instructions.
Let's look at some points that may that maySymptoms of an overdose include weakness,
increase your need to get the benefits of asluggishness, confusion, irregular heart beat, and
potassium citrate supplement.possibly fainting. Since the symptoms of an overdose
Generally, people might be of a higher risk forare similar to the symptoms of side effects, seek
potassium deficiency if they exercise excessively, thisattention immediately. As with anything, do not add
is due to the loss of body fluid through perspiration.anything to your medications or diet without the
Because of this, there may be a significant loss in thisapproval of a physician. Doing so could very well put
particular mineral.your physical health at a very serious risk.
Women should note that they may be susceptible toTips on Choosing a Potassium Citrate Supplement
osteoporosis through a loss of calcium which can be1. Nutritional Supplements are largely unregulated in
because of a potassium deficiency.the US, and don't just take our word for it, you can
Another factor to note is that people, who sufferread an article on the industry wide problem here.
frequent diarrhea bouts, are at a higher risk forMany health supplements have been found to harbor
potassium deficiency. If you suffer from irritable bowldangerous contaminants in them, but what's more
syndrome, then a quality potassium supplement mayworrying to us, is that consumers only have a 1 in 5
have benefit to you long term.chance of buying a product which contains what is
Some western medications that are prescribed mayactually stated on the label.
create a possible potassium deficiency, as may aFor the above reasons, we always advice people to
poor un balanced un nutritional diet, or any activity orbuy nutritional supplements from pharmaceutical GMP
condition that results in a large loss of bodily fluids.compliant facilities, such places adhere to the strictest
High Potassium foods for the benefits of potassiumstandards in the world for the manufacture of
citratedietary supplements. You can be sure your product
Even though you might be a person who should lookwill be contaminant free if you buy from such a place.
into a potassium citrate supplement for the benefitsMake sure the company you purchase your
of potassium citrate, eating foods high in potassiumsupplements from has a certificate of analysis on file
should not be ignored. Too many people think theyconfirming the active ingredients are what are stated
can cure their nutritional needs and bad diets by juston the product, and also, to confirm the potency of
popping a supplement of some kind.them.
For this reason we have compiled a list of some2. Be sure that your potassium citrate supplement
foods you may take for effective potassium citratedoes not contain any fillers or additives (examples
consumption, here is a brief list of some foods high ininclude: sugar, starch, gluten, silica (sand!)) or any
potassium so that you can hopefully avoid aartificial colors or flavors of any kind.
potassium deficiency:orange juice, bananas, boiled