Do you take a potassium supplement?

CanadaGracie
CanadaGracie Posts: 22 Member
in Food and Nutrition
After much trial and error I finally seem to be able to hit my macro and micronutrient targets most days. The only exception is potassium. I’m consistently at least 1000mg low every day. I’m a vegetarian and I eat lots of fruits and vegetables but I just don’t like bananas, which of course have lots of potassium. I’m thinking of starting a potassium supplement. Does anyone else have a hard time getting enough potassium?

Best Answers

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,281 Member
    Answer ✓
    are you actually low in potassium - a blood test has shown this?

    Is there some reason a potassium supplement is warranted? - eg some diurectics do drain potassium and people take supplements

    or are your numbers just low on paper - which probably just means all foods don't have the amount recorded.
    In which case I would do nothing - it is a 'paper problem' not a real problem.

  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,994 Member
    Answer ✓
    Do you eat other foods high in potassium?
    Avocados, spinach, watermelon, beans and legumes, for example?

    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-loaded-with-potassium

    If so, I wouldn’t worry about it.

    Also you would probably know if you were consistently low. There are symptoms, many of which are quite annoying, and others would likely send you to the er.

    Note bene: I am not a doctor. More specifically, I am not your doctor.
    If you are concerned, discuss this with your care team.
  • semisweetchick
    semisweetchick Posts: 13 Member
    Answer ✓
    I'll start by saying a I'm a nurse. :)

    Unless your lab work is abnormal and you're instructed by a healthcare professional, it's not wise to take a potassium supplement because it can disrupt your heart function.

    Since your blood work was normal, I'd say keep up the good work! You're doing a fine job.

Answers

  • CanadaGracie
    CanadaGracie Posts: 22 Member
    Thank you for the responses! My last blood test showed a normal potassium level, I just got a little worried that I’m not getting enough since I changed my eating habits because my food log shows I only ingest about 1500mg a day (typical RDA is around 4700mg). It’s probably just that the micronutrient info is missing from some of the foods I’ve logged. I’ll check that out.
  • CanadaGracie
    CanadaGracie Posts: 22 Member
    semisweetchick wrote: »
    I'll start by saying a I'm a nurse. :)

    Unless your lab work is abnormal and you're instructed by a healthcare professional, it's not wise to take a potassium supplement because it can disrupt your heart function.

    Since your blood work was normal, I'd say keep up the good work! You're doing a fine job.

    Thank you! The bloodwork was from before I started eating less/better but I probably get more potassium now without all that junk, so I will stay away from the supplements 😁

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,216 Member
    CanadaGracie wrote: »
    Thank you for the responses! My last blood test showed a normal potassium level, I just got a little worried that I’m not getting enough since I changed my eating habits because my food log shows I only ingest about 1500mg a day (typical RDA is around 4700mg). It’s probably just that the micronutrient info is missing from some of the foods I’ve logged. I’ll check that out.

    If you do a deep dive on a couple of typical eating days, you can probably get a clearer view. A source like the USDA food central database may help:

    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/

    If you do find that you're coming up a little short, and would like to improve that even though blood tests are normal, a conservative strategy would be to find some higher-potassium foods you enjoy eating, and tweak your routine eating habits to get those foods in your rotation more frequently.

    This has useful information about potassium needs, including good sources, risks of supplements, and more, from a very mainstream source, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH):

    https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/
  • Blueberries59
    Blueberries59 Posts: 100 Member
    Not all the food items list potassium units, and then it may not be correct. Hunt for the listing that gives the correct amount. If you really want to know, learn which foods are high in potassium and keep a side tab running until you get the hang of it. Beware of potassium supplements! Too much and your efforts at good health can flip on you.
  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 3,627 Member
    I've been logging in both chronometer, which stresses micronutrients, and in mfp. On a typical day last week, chronometer said I had 1953.4 mg potassium, mfp said 787.
    I did take a water pill for high blood pressure. My Dr. Suggested electrolyte drinks. I've been drinking them and will probably continue, even though I've quit taking the pills. I have a very small dose potassium pill in the cabinet, and I may take one rarely.
    Just an interesting side note. Most days when I log the exact same foods, calories will be about 50 higher in chronometer than mfp. Also, chronometer has my goal slightly less than 1200,

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