Potassium pills. Why would a person take them?
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »The reviews stated not to take more than 1 or 2 pills which concerned me. I hope that kid is not taking 30+ pills a day to get his RDA of 4,700. I read things like it can cause heart problems. One of his roommates is an avid cycler !- thank you mph323
Why don't you just ask him? ::shrug::6 -
Potassium requirement daily is 4,700 milligrams. It's hard to get that unless you consume 10 bananas!
There are powdered supplements available that get you closer - but they have to be carefully taken because overdosing can cause convulsions and heart attacks. BTW most of the powders are "base" and are are caustic and must be mixed with citric acid to reduce the ph. Potassium injections can either help you or stop your heart.TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »Could a 21 year old college student be using it to make drugs or get high? Or could it be used in science/chemistry experiments?
It's not used to make drugs - it's one of the essential electrolytes (sodium, magnesium being the other two). Health conscious people combine it with sugar, sodium, magnesium to make a hydration drink without all of the crap.
My husband plays death by tennis on the weekends and I keep it on hand to mix into his Gatorade along with extra magnesium when he's got really bad muscle cramps. As long as we follow the directions it's perfectly safe.
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I've had to have potassium given through IV at the hospital. I was admitted after having stomach issues for a few months and it almost depleted my potassium. I can see where people can need them for different things.1
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Lots of gatorade in kitchen. This is all making sense. All roommates are involved in some sort of sport.2
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »Lots of gatorade in kitchen. This is all making sense. All roommates are involved in some sort of sport.
You have roommates who are taking potassium supplements, and you are concerned that they might be using them to grind down and make other illegal drugs with, so you come on the MFP forums to play speculation games?
Or is this an observation about someone you don't even know in real life?
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wow wino, that came across as tough. My kid's has 3 roommates. I didn't know I was breaking rules or something. Geez. Tough, tough place this is. Done.1
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »wow wino, that came across as tough. My kid's has 3 roommates. I didn't know I was breaking rules or something. Geez. Tough, tough place this is. Done.
I think it's more that you beat around the bush instead of just stating your actual point.
That is a bit annoying.5 -
cmriverside wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »wow wino, that came across as tough. My kid's has 3 roommates. I didn't know I was breaking rules or something. Geez. Tough, tough place this is. Done.
I think it's more that you beat around the bush instead of just stating your actual point.
That is a bit annoying.
This.
Why not just say, "my kid is in college and I was snooping through his medicine cabinet and noticed some supplements that I was concerned about - should I be worried that he's in with a bunch of little Heisenbergs?"
If you weren't snooping, and they were sitting out in the open, why not ask the roommates (or your kid) what they are for?13 -
My doctor prescribed it for me to take because of leg cramps.0
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Potassium requirement daily is 4,700 milligrams. It's hard to get that unless you consume 10 bananas!
No, it's really not if you just eat a normal healthy diet. There are also lots of foods that have more potassium than bananas -- not sure who bananas paid off for all good press! ;-)
Anyway, I agree there are perfectly normal reasons to take the supplements and nothing suspicious about it.
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The most efficient way to top up my electrolytes I found (calorie free) was to use Gastrolyte, recommended by my pharmacist. I figure it's safer as it has all the salts in balance. It tastes like lemony soap water though.0
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200g of cantaloupe or 85g fresh spinach has 5x the amount in supps. I get mine from food sources, the amount in supplements is pathetic.0
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We lived within a 5 mile radius of a nuclear power plant so we had to keep potassium iodide pills on hand in case of, you know, accidents...5
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »Lots of gatorade in kitchen. This is all making sense. All roommates are involved in some sort of sport.
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Potassium requirement daily is 4,700 milligrams. It's hard to get that unless you consume 10 bananas!
Since potassium isn't required on food labelling in the US (it's optional) most people are probably getting more than they think.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-food-labels-potassium-idUSBRE9200SA20130301
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I take a prescription potassium supplement because one of my medications contains a diuretic that depletes my potassium. If I didn't have great insurance and OTC would be cheaper, I'd buy it OTC.0
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LadyLilion wrote: »I take a prescription potassium supplement because one of my medications contains a diuretic that depletes my potassium. If I didn't have great insurance and OTC would be cheaper, I'd buy it OTC.
I mentioned above that the Nu-Salt I have is 530mg per 1/6tsp. One tsp a day sprinkled onto your food or into your Gatorade would provide you with 3180mg! A pack of 12 Nu-Salt shakers (3oz each) is around $20 on Amazon. About $1.70 per shaker. Very affordable!1 -
No, potassium won't be used to make drugs.2 -
People with ileostomies are frequently dehydrated (as water is absorbed in colon so doesn't happen in ileomates) so I take potasdium1
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Neener0808 wrote: »I just started taking a potassium supplement as I am suffering from some leg cramps and training for a half marathon. I monitor my food and macros and I don't get a lot of natural potassium. Everyone says eat banana's but quiet frankly I can't stand banana's. It's a texture thing. I am trying this out for 2 weeks of 99mg tablet once a day.
I hear that a lot too about bananas being high in potassium but there are a lot of other things that are close and even way higher (especially cantaloupe) in potassium than bananas that you may find to your liking.
milk, 8 oz: about 330 mg potassium
bananas, 1 medium: about 420 mg potassium
orange juice, 8 oz: about 450 mg potassium
baked potato, medium: about 950 mg potassium
dates/raisins, 1 cup: about 1200 mg potassium
cantaloupe, 5" melon: about 1400 mg potassium (& only about 185 calories too, plus an excellent source of vitamins A & C as well!)
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