Potassium Supplements

About Potassium Supplements

Potassium is an essential mineral and one of the key electrolytes that plays a critical role in regulating fluid movement within the body. Most people in developed nations tend to over-consume sodium and under-consume potassium, which increases the risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease. It has been suggested that a 1:1 ratio of potassium to sodium, or perhaps even higher (more potassium than sodium) would be ideal to reduce the risk of several largely preventable chronic diseases. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on this in 2012, as have many prestigious journals over the past decades. 

Some of the signs and symptoms of potassium depletion are lethargy, physical weakness and sluggish bowels. Of course, these symptoms can be caused by a range of different factors, so if you have all three don't necessarily assume you are deficient in potassium. However, it is always worth taking a closer look at your intake of these two electrolytes by tracking your dietary sodium and potassium intake. You will soon see how hard it is to take in more potassium than sodium! In order to achieve this, you will find that processed and packaged food intake needs to decrease, while fresh produce needs to increase. After all, food salting was one of the first food preservation methods invented and is still heavily relied upon today.

Potassium is crucial for hydration during and after exercise, such as gym training, sports and competition. Potassium is found alongside sodium, magnesium, chloride and calcium in order to ensure rapid hydration. Potassium is lost from the body whenever fluids are lost, such as sweating, making repletion with this essential mineral an important part of the recovery process.