Potassium Supplements ...yay or nay?

Lrdoflamancha

I notice that a lot of Low Carbers are taking them.... I am curious as to why?

ali59oc

Yes. Potassium is water soluble so it tends to flush out if your system quickly. Magnesium, too.

Sugarbeat

I'm wavering between continuing to take supplements or eliminate them completely. I did recently read that radishes are high in potassium. I think walnuts are as well. I've been roasting radishes in the skillet every morning for breakfast. Perhaps that could work for you as well?

GSD_Mama

RDA for potassium is 3400, I have to take sups because I am always under it otherwise, unless I eat avocados all day. Also lite salt is good

jjejjtu

"Low potassium (hypokalemia) refers to a lower than normal potassium level in your bloodstream. Potassium is a chemical (electrolyte) that is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells.

Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention."

That is from the Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/low-potassium/basics/definition/sym-20050632

Lrdoflamancha

So what potassium supplements do you take and where do you get them?

FIT_Goat

I am the anti-supplement jerk around these parts. After adaptation, you almost certainly don't need to supplement anything (including electrolytes) as long as you are asymptomatic. If you experience symptoms like muscle cramps and such, you may wish to supplement for a while and then taper them off after a period of time.

I do have some lite-salt (which has potassium in it) which I use from time to time. Why? Because it's there. That's probably the highest non-carb source of potassium. The pill supplements are super low potency.