Potassium Citrate and Health

Potassium citrate, a macro-mineral/ salt useful in decreasing the acidity of urine, and in treating kidney diseases and gout, is found in many foods.

Potassium citrate, which assists in the transmissions of nerve impulses, can, by affecting muscular contractions, improve the function of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles.

The mineral can act  as a treatment for metabolic disorders, and facilitates both nucleic acid and energy production; it may have a role in maintaining healthy cells and blood pressure levels also.

Individuals taking diuretics--which should only be used with a physician’s guidance--may, because of excessive water loss, experience a depletion of minerals and nutrients, especially potassium.

HOW DOES POTASSIUM CITRATE FUNCTION?

Regulating the volume of water in the body, the blood pressure level, and the hearts’ electrical impulses, Potassium Citrate also assists with the body’s metabolism of protein and carbohydrates and nerve transmissions.

WHAT IS OUR POTASSIUM REQUIREMENT?

Both men and women, to maintain maximum health, should be getting at least 2,000 t0 4000 mg, or at least 4.7 grams, of potassium each day. It’s been shown that U.S. and U.K. women between the ages of 31 and 50 are likely to be getting less than 50 percent of the amount of potassium needed Women around the ages of 31 and 50 in America and the United Kingdom, consume to maintain optimal health.

And American men aren’t much better off; they generally get between 1500 and 3000 mg of potassium on a daily basis, far less than the recommended amount.

Potassium Deficiency Indications

Insufficient potassium intake can result in a wide range of symptoms; fatigue, blood pressure problems, racing or irregular heartbeat, musculoskeletal pain or weakness,, fluid retention, constipation, increased cholesterol, mental difficulties like depression, confusion, anxiety, and insomnia, thirstiness, headaches, slowed reflexes, stunted growth, and too much protein in the urine.

If you think you are one of the millions of people who are not getting enough potassium from their diets, you may be realizing the necessity of starting a potassium supplement.

Would a Potassium Citrate supplement help you?

Let’s examine why you may be one of the people who require a potassium citrate supplement.

Do you exercise excessively? If so, you may be losing excessive bodily fluid, and potassium, through perspiration.

Women concerned about developing osteoporosis should know that calcium loss can accompany potassium deficiency.

People with irritable bowel syndrome, or frequent diarrhea, can be suffering excessive fluid, and potassium loss.

The highly processed foods common in the Western diet, and some prescription medications, can increase the likelihood of potassium deficiency.

Get the Benefits of potassium Citrate from High Potassium Foods

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can cure whatever ails you by downing an vitamin pill. Even if you think you are in need of a potassium supplement, you should still incorporate potassium-rich foods into your diet.

We’ve even made it easy; here is our list of suggestions for foods that will help you avoid a potassium deficiency:

orange juice, bananas, cantaloupe, papaya, all varieties of summer and winter squash mushrooms, raw fennel (bulb), romaine lettuce, raw celery, raw carrots, raw cauliflower, raw broccoli, raw cabbage, ripe tomatoes, fresh kale, cooked turnip greens, boiled chard, boiled collard greens, eggplant, boiled beets, boiled mustard greens, snap and string green beans, yams, and Brussels sprouts.

Can I take too much Potassium Citrate?

You may be, with a proper diet getting enough potassium already. So you don’t need a supplement.

If you suffer from either kidney disease or kidney failure, avoid potassium citrate supplements; their negative consequences could far outweigh their benefits.

If you’re on a medication with listed potassium restrictions, don’t take a supplement without first notifying your doctor. Avoid other salt products, which may also contain potassium, as well.

Some signs of excessive potassium intake are an altered heart rate, a change in blood pressure, and stomach discomfort.

For If you are on painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs, avoid potassium supplements until your doctor give you the OK.

Things to Watch for when Taking a Potassium Supplement

When taking potassium citrate, you need take some preliminary precautions. First, if you suffer from kidney problems, heart disease, or Addison’s disease, high blood pressure, tell your doctor you are taking potassium.
 

Avoid salt substitutes, or low sodium products; t these products will likely have substituted potassium for sodium. Consuming them could lead to an accidental excess of potassium, with its accompanying side effects. If you do accidentally ingest enough potassium to create an overdose, contact your doctor and follow his instructions to the letter.

Proven Potassium Citrate Side Effects

Side effects from using potassium citrate can include stomach discomfort with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; contact your physician if you experience any of these to a severe extent.

If you experience black, tarry stools or an unpleasant taste in your mouth and can’t reach your doctor, go to the nearest emergency room. You might also suffer side effects like numbness or tingling of the hands and feet, irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle weakness, and mental confusion.

Should you accidentally overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency room and follow their instructions.

Symptoms of an overdose, which can include confusion, irregular heartbeat, and weakness are similar to the symptoms of side effects, seek attention immediately. And never risk your health by adding anything to your medications or diet without your doctor’s approval.

Suggestions for Deciding on a Potassium Citrate Supplement

1.. Read the article here to learn how little regulation the U.S. has over the production of nutritional supplements. Many supplements, as a result, have been contain harmful contaminants. In additions, consumers only have a 20% chance of buying a product with the ingredients which are listed on its label.

Because of this, we always tell people to get their nutritional supplements from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which manufacture dietary supplements according to the strictest standards in the world.

Buying a product from such a place guarantees that your purchase will be contaminant-free. And verify that any company supplying your supplements has a certificate of analysis, confirming the identity, and potency, of the ingredients stated to be in the product

2. Make certain your potassium citrate supplement has no fillers or additives like sugar, starch, gluten, silica, artificial colors, or flavors.

Buy only the best! It’s your health that’s at stake!
The Comprehensive Supplement That We Use

Xtend-Life Natural Products located in New Zealand, which has one of the strictest nutritional supplements manufacturing codes in the world, far exceeding U.S. and UK FDA standards.

Their best-selling supplement, Total Balance, offers potassium citrate, and a full spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, potent herbal extracts designed to improve your health by working together in one all-inclusive formula.

Total Balance has nearly all the nutrients we have discuss on this entire web site!
We have personally taken Total Balance, with excellent health results, for over two years. We have more energy, mental alertness, and a heightened sense of well-being. We believe in this product so much, in fact, that we also have our family members taking many of Xtend-Life’s alternative health products!

For more information on potassium citrate and health, be sure to check out our home page for further information.

You can check out more information on this mineral at our potassium citrate guide.

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