Potassium is an element that is crucial to our health. It is necessary in functioning of nearly every cell in the body, as well as many systems and organs. The potassium level is closely correlated with the body’s water balance, which means that every case of water intoxication or dehydration impacts the potassium supply in the body. Which is why potassium deficiency occurs relatively often, as this particular element can be lost in the body through many mechanisms – not just dehydration. The consequences of the potassium level being too low are serious – which makes it all the more important to enrich the diet with supplements that contain this valuable ingredient.

Potassium supplements – who are they for?

Potassium supplementation is recommended to many people – not just those diagnosed with potassium deficiency. The benefits of taking this element in form of a supplement can be noticed by each of us. The correct potassium level in blood is 3,5 – 5,5 mmol/l – which can be measured using a simple and cheap blood test. Sometimes, however, the potassium level can be within the norm, but we’ll still observe symptoms of a low potassium level in our body.

The characteristic symptoms are:

– weakening and chronic fatigue
– muscles prone to weariness
– palpitations
– problems with memory and focus
– swollen legs

A sudden drop in the potassium level can generate characteristic disorders – and can lead to a deficiency very fast. There’s a large group of people that are especially at risk of the potassium level in the body dropping.

We’re talking about people who go through:

– vomiting and diarrhea
– taking insulin for their diabetes
– intense physical activity
– taking diuretics and laxatives
– weight-loss diets
– malabsorption
– kidney disorders that cause diuresis
– hypertension

The above factors generate a potassium loss in the body – so if any of them affects you, get a potassium supplement – especially considering that the diet in most cases doesn’t cover the daily potassium requirement which can be as high as 4700 mg.

What is the price of a potassium supplement?

The price for potassium provided through supplements varies a lot – from few pounds to about £40. Obviously the more expensive potassium supplements are of much better quality than the cheapest ones. Where lies the difference?

Preparations containing potassium can differ in:

– the dose of the element
– the form of potassium and its absorption rate
– presence of synthetic additives
– advanced production method and running quality checks

Let’s take a look at each of these factors. When it comes to the dose of potassium – it can vary significantly. A single pill/capsule can contain few dozens to few hundred milligrams of potassium. Depending on how many pills have to be taken daily – the final dose of the potassium taken can reach up to 1 g. The most convenient supplements are those that don’t have to be taken more than three times a day. And the optimal daily dose of potassium is about 800 mg – this much can replenish the supply of this element in the body without providing too much of it. Obviously, the higher the potassium content in a supplement, the higher its price. But another equally important factor that determines the price of potassium is its chemical form.

The highest bioavailability occurs in organic forms of potassium, such as potassium citrate. It gets absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract to a very high degree, and then distributed to the target cells. It makes the supplementation effective. Harder to absorb – hence cheaper – are supplements containing non-organic potassium compounds, such as potassium chloride.

What to pay attention to when choosing potassium?

When choosing any supplement – including those containing potassium – it is necessary to pay attention to its quality, mostly indicated by a composition that is free from any contaminations, as well as synthetic additives. The preparation should be tested in terms of purity, and its impeccable production process should be confirmed by certificates of testing and complying with EU regulations. The effectiveness of a preparation, on the other hand, should be confirmed by clinical tests.

The supplement’s composition should definitely get analyzed – it is very common for preparations to contain numerous fillers, preservatives, synthetic colorings and enhancers. The price of a preparation will be higher for premium quality supplements that are free from additives that pose harm to health. That way you can be sure that you won’t put needless chemicals into your body that can cause allergies, irritate the gastrointestinal tract and interfere with the potassium absorption process. So if you decide to start taking a supplement for your health – don’t cut any corners. We’re already at enough risk of being exposed to harmful, synthetic compounds – the supplement shouldn’t be another source of them. Only a good quality preparation will effectively reduce the risk of deficiency and comprehensively support your body.