Getting Potassium from Supplements

For some people, daily intake of potassium rich foods list is enough to curb any complications or conditions that may arise due to lack of potassium in the body. However, there are those who need the extra boost that potassium supplements give. Patients who have problems because of serious diseases like acute kidney failure or those who are treated with certain medicines like diuretics are usually the ones to whom supplements are prescribed.

The average daily intake of potassium for children are as follows: for those between 0 to 6 months, 400mg per day; for 7 to 12 months, 700mg per day; for those aged between 1 to 3 years, 3,000 mg per day; for 9 to 13 year olds, 4,500mg per day; for 14 years and up, 4,700mg per day. For adults 18 years and above, the recommended daily intake is also 4,700 mg per day.

There is no ceiling or maximum amount of potassium that one can take. However, daily potassium intake that is, for example, thirty times more than what is daily recommended, is fatal and can lead to a host of untenable consequences. Some indications of an excess of potassium are confusion, low blood pressure, weakness, and an irregular heartbeat. Patients also sometimes experience a tingling in their limbs. In the more extreme cases, they may even end up in a coma.

At the normal levels, potassium wont pose too much of a danger. But always make sure to check with your physician as there are some people who are allergic to potassium or there are some illnesses with which potassium supplements are not compatible, such as diabetes or heart disease. In those instances, there are always natural sources of potassium such as fruits and vegetables. Instead of worrying about how many how many calories in a banana, count its potassium content!