Potassium? (not Michael Jackson)

June 13, 2005 | self / vanity

[The Other Harry]

I recently made an involuntary visit to the local hospital. One of the things which came out of that was that my potassium level is very low. Low enough that it is a cause for concern. They wanted to keep me overnight and infuse me. For various reasons, I could not do that. I went out AMA (against medical advice).

That still leaves me with the problem.

I know bananas are good, but I can only eat so many bananas. What else?

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Going out AMA ..not a good idea. Your insurance won't cover the visit.

[al baby]

eat more of these

[Servant of the 9]

One 500mg Potassium Gluconate tablet (in the vitamin section) is about equal to one bannana.

Take one of two a day and get tested again in a few weeks. SO9

[Hoodlum91]

Broccoli, Milk, and Cantaloupe are good sources. There are also supplements.

I'm allegeric to bananas, so I had to find other sources myself.

[teenyelliott]

My guess would be you need further testing to discover the cause of your low potassium. Don't try to self medicate or self diagnose. Good Lord, man, go see your doctor!

[HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath]

http://www.weightlossforall.com/potassium-rich-food.htm

[combat_boots]

Foods high in potassium are: one-half cup of orange juice, one large banana, one baked potato, one-half winter squash, one cup tomato juice, one cup vegetable juice cocktail, one-half cup avocado, one-half cup cooked dried beans and one tablespoon black strap molasses.

Additional foods that are moderately high in potassium are: 100% bran cereals, dried fruit (apricots, dates, peaches, figs, prunes, raisins), meat (beef, chicken, halibut, pork, salmon, veal), cantaloupe, milk, grapefruit juice, lima beans, mushrooms (canned), parsnips, peanut butter, pineapple juice, plums, spinach, watermelon, yams and yogurt. A wide variety of foods have potassium in them. If you eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods, you would normally eat enough foods high in potassium.


http://www.dietitian.com/potassiu.html

[prion]

Isn't that what Terri Schiavo's coma supposedly was due to? I wouldn't mess with this one, truly.

[motormouth]

Low potassium is nothing to fool around with. My suggestion is get your butt to a doctor. ASAP
There could be reason your body isnt retaining it and just trying to bananas, aint gonna cut it.

[BossLady]

Try "EmergenC" for elecrolytes and 200mg of potassium. The Dr I work for suggests it all the time for people prone to dehydration and low potassium levels. There are several great flavors too!!! I drink it before I work out, during and after to keep up energy levels. You can find it at Trader Joes, Walmart and several other stores.

[MikefromOhio]

Potassium is one of those things that too much (i.e. lethal injections are some sort of potassium mostly) will kill you, and not enough will put you in a coma.

I would get advice from a doctor....

[garyhope]

Dried apricots, avocado, figs, honeydew melon. Some sports drinks?

Try some good ripe honeydew with some lemon juice on it. Delicious.

[STARWISE]

I think it's always best to check with your physician before going on an impactful chemical such as potassium ... and do not believe it's advisable to self-treat in this case. There's a fine balance required.

========================================================

Info excerpt:

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking potassium chloride?

• Before taking potassium chloride, tell your doctor if you

· have kidney disease;
· are taking a potassium-sparing diuretic such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic); · have Addison's disease;

· have an ulcer or an intestinal blockage; or · have chronic diarrhea.

• You may not be able to take potassium chloride, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

• Potassium chloride is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether potassium chloride will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

• It is not known whether potassium passes into breast milk. Do not take potassium chloride without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take potassium chloride?

• Take potassium chloride exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

• Take each dose with a full glass of water.

• Take potassium chloride with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

• Mix the powder or liquid with at least 4 ounces (one-half cup) of water or juice. Mix it thoroughly and drink it immediately. Do not drink the liquid without diluting it first.

• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release medicine slowly in the body. If you have problems swallowing, ask your doctor about other forms of potassium.

• Do not worry if you find a wax capsule in the stool. The capsule is formulated to be passed out in the stool, but the drug has been absorbed by the body.

• It is important to take potassium chloride regularly to get the most benefit. • Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with potassium chloride to monitor progress and side effects. What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

• Symptoms of a potassium chloride overdose may include paralysis; numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, legs, or feet; an irregular heartbeat; low blood pressure (dizziness, confusion, weakness, fatigue); seizures; coma; and heart attack. Potassium Info

[Yo-Yo]

Go see your doctor!

Salt substitues (NoSalt, etc.) are KCl, potassium cloride.

[So Cal Rocket]

Food Sources of Potassium ranked by milligrams of potassium per standard amount, also showing calories in the standard amount. (The AI for adults is 4,700 mg/day potassium.)

Food, Standard Amount	Potassium (mg)	Calories
Sweetpotato, baked, 1 potato (146 g)	694	131
Tomato paste, ¼ cup	664	54
Beet greens, cooked, ½ cup	655	19
Potato, baked, flesh, 1 potato (156 g)	610	145
White beans, canned, ½ cup	595	153
Yogurt, plain, non-fat, 8-oz container	579	127
Tomato puree, ½ cup	549	48
Clams, canned, 3 oz	534	126
Yogurt, plain, low-fat, 8-oz container	531	143
Prune juice, ¾ cup	530	136
Carrot juice, ¾ cup	517	71
Blackstrap molasses, 1 Tbsp	498	47
Halibut, cooked, 3 oz	490	119
Soybeans, green, cooked, ½ cup	485	127
Tuna, yellowfin, cooked, 3 oz	484	118
Lima beans, cooked, ½ cup	484	104
Winter squash, cooked, ½ cup	448	40
Soybeans, mature, cooked, ½ cup	443	149
Rockfish, Pacific, cooked, 3 oz	442	103
Cod, Pacific, cooked, 3 oz	439	89
Bananas, 1 medium	422	105
Spinach, cooked, ½ cup	419	21
Tomato juice, ¾ cup	417	31
Tomato sauce, ½ cup	405	39
Peaches, dried, uncooked, ¼ cup	398	96
Prunes, stewed, ½ cup	398	133
Milk, non-fat, 1 cup	382	83
Pork chop, center loin, cooked, 3 oz	382	197
Apricots, dried, uncooked, ¼ cup	378	78
Rainbow trout, farmed, cooked, 3 oz	375	144
Pork loin, center rib (roasts), lean, roasted, 3 oz	371	190
Buttermilk, cultured, low-fat, 1 cup	370	98
Cantaloupe, ¼ medium	368	47
1%-2% milk, 1 cup	366	102-122
Honeydew melon, 1/8 medium	365	58
Lentils, cooked, ½ cup	365	115
Plantains, cooked, ½ cup slices	358	90
Kidney beans, cooked, ½ cup	358	112
Orange juice, ¾ cup	355	85
Split peas, cooked, ½ cup	355	116
Yogurt, plain, whole milk, 8 oz container	352	138

[Zacs Mom]

Certain meds can deplete the body's potassium ~ heart meds in particular. Supplement can help to off set this .... still, you should have your levels tested and then move forward with a professional recommendation of what your body needs.

[theFIRMbss]

>I would get advice from a doctor....

Aw, come on! You don't
think he will get sound advice
in a VANITY?!

[MARK4]

Cantaloupe 1/2 (5 inches in diameter) 975 mg.
Orange juice, fresh 1 cup 975 mg.
Almonds 4 oz. 786 mg.
Milk, whole, 3.5% fat 1 cup 675 mg.
Salmon 4 oz. 470 mg
Chicken 4 oz. 410 mg.
Halibut 4 oz. 387 mg.
Turkey 4 oz. 359 mg.

[Hoodlum91]

Good advice. My doctor knows all supplements I take.

Most multi-vitamins have what most people need. Even those should be cleared through your doctor for allergic reactions as each multi-vitamin has different formulations.