should diabetics take potassium supplements

Should a person with diabetes take potassium supplements? Despite the fact that hypokalaemia can be dangerous, you should never take any potassium supplements without prior consent or advice of your physician. Potassium supplements sold on the market may increase potassium levels in the blood and cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).

Full Answer

Can potassium help prevent diabetes?

If you have diabetes, your body is unable to produce or use insulin efficiently. Type 1 diabetes isn’t preventable, but you can prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, usually occurs in people ages 35 and older. Potassium is an electrolyte and mineral that helps keep your bodily fluids at the proper level.

Do I need to take a potassium supplement?

To get enough potassium, it's usually recommended that people increase their intake of potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, instead of taking a supplement. However, for those at increased risk of developing hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood), a potassium supplement may be necessary.

Can I take potassium tablets with diuretic medications?

However, if you take a diuretic that depletes potassium levels, such as hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide, your doctor may prescribe extended-release potassium tablets, which contain 600 to 750 mg of the mineral.

Is potassium okay for diabetics?

People with diabetes and high potassium are more likely to have heart problems and other complications. Your doctor might suggest tips like these to lower your potassium if it's too high: Eat a low-potassium diet. Take diuretics or potassium binders to remove extra potassium.

Do diabetics need more potassium?

Studies by the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology have shown that “diets rich in potassium may help protect the heart and kidney health of patients with type 2 diabetes.” These studies also show that higher levels of potassium indicate a lower risk of renal (kidney) dysfunction, chronic kidney ...

Can diabetes cause low potassium levels?

If your blood sugar level drops too quickly, you can develop low blood sugar. Low potassium (hypokalemia). The fluids and insulin used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis can cause your potassium level to drop too low. A low potassium level can impair the activities of your heart, muscles and nerves.

Does high potassium affect diabetes?

Potassium, both serum levels and to a lesser extent dietary intake levels, has been associated with incident diabetes. Lower levels of potassium have been found to be associated with a higher risk of diabetes in some studies.

How much potassium should a diabetic take per day?

You should strive to consume 4.7 grams of potassium every day to keep your potassium in check. You can do this by monitoring your daily intake using a food journal and actively researching how much potassium is in the foods you eat.

What are signs of low potassium?

SymptomsConstipation.Feeling of skipped heart beats or palpitations.Fatigue.Muscle damage.Muscle weakness or spasms.Tingling or numbness.

Does metformin affect potassium levels?

Additionally, metformin in some studies has been linked with a decrease in serum magnesium levels. Insulin administration is associated with a reduction in serum potassium, magnesium and phosphorus concentration, along with reduced renal magnesium excretion.

What depletes the body of potassium?

Vomiting, diarrhea or both also can result in excessive potassium loss from the digestive tract. Occasionally, low potassium is caused by not getting enough potassium in your diet. Causes of potassium loss include: Alcohol use (excessive)

How can I test my potassium levels at home?

There are limited or no options for at-home kits to test potassium levels. If you are prescribed a 24-hour urine test, you will need to collect your urine wherever you are during the day, including at home.

Does magnesium help diabetes?

Magnesium appears to help manage blood sugar levels among people with diabetes. Also, those who tend to consume less magnesium typically have poorer blood sugar regulation and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes than people who consume higher amounts ( 2 , 3 , 4 ).

Do Statins raise potassium levels?

Intensive physical exercise may facilitate potassium release from skeletal muscles that may result in hyperkalemia. Commonly used drugs including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and statins increase a risk of hyperkalemia.

Is potassium good for high blood pressure?

Increasing potassium intake can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering blood pressure. Consuming too little potassium and too much sodium can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Lowering blood pressure reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Why is potassium high in diabetics?

High potassium levels (hyperkalemia) often result from kidney damage. Kidney damage is usually due to poorly controlled diabetes, and is considered a major complication of diabetes (it's often referred to as diabetic kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy).

Does metformin deplete potassium?

Additionally, metformin in some studies has been linked with a decrease in serum magnesium levels. Insulin administration is associated with a reduction in serum potassium, magnesium and phosphorus concentration, along with reduced renal magnesium excretion.

Are bananas good for diabetics?

Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized diet plan. A person with diabetes should include fresh, plant food options in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables. Bananas provide plenty of nutrition without adding many calories.

How does insulin affect potassium levels?

2:054:25INSULIN AND POTASSIUM RELATIONSHIP - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe potassium level will increase because potassium will have moved. Side of the cell which SunMoreThe potassium level will increase because potassium will have moved. Side of the cell which Sun raises the potassium level the potassium isn't hiding away in the cell anymore it's moved outside of the

Why is potassium low in diabetics?

If you already have diabetes, low potassium could be due to a complication called diabetic ketoacidosis. When your body can't make enough insulin to use sugar for fuel, it breaks down fat to use as energy instead.

What is too much potassium?

Too much potassium is called hyperkalemia. It can be a problem in people with poorly controlled diabetes. High blood sugar damages the kidneys, which normally remove extra potassium from your body. People with diabetes and high potassium are more likely to have heart problems and other complications. Your doctor might suggest tips like these ...

How to get rid of high potassium in blood?

Eat a low-potassium diet. Take diuretics or potassium binders to remove extra potassium. Avoid salt substitutes, which are high in potassium. Don't take herbal remedies until you've checked with your doctor. Follow the diabetes treatment your doctor prescribed.

What to eat when you are low on potassium?

Vegetables such as squash, spinach, potatoes, and broccoli. Beans and lentils. Fortified milk and orange juice. Chicken breast, salmon, and beef. If you're still low on potassium, your doctor might recommend a supplement.

Can you get too little potassium?

Too little can lead to high blood pressure and symptoms like constipation, tiredness, and muscle weakness. One way to get more potassium is to eat foods that have lots of it, including things like: If you're still low on potassium, your doctor might recommend a supplement.

Can too little potassium cause diabetes?

There's some evidence that too little potassium -- a nutrient in foods like bananas, squash, and potatoes -- might have a link to diabetes.

Can low potassium cause high blood sugar?

That could lead to high blood sugar. Studies show that people with low potassium levels release less insulin, have higher blood sugar levels, and are more likely to get type 2 diabetes than those with normal potassium levels.

Why is potassium important for diabetes?

Potassium is needed to assist with insulin secretion and therefore, blood sugar regulation. It’s also closely linked to heart health. Below we share the facts about potassium and diabetes. Why it’s so important and how you can ensure you get enough in your diabetes diet.

How is Potassium Connected to Diabetes?

Within each of your cells are many tiny openings (channels) called ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels.

How much potassium is good for blood sugar?

Beyond prevention, another study found 40 mEq of potassium effective at stabilizing, and in some cases improving, blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes. After 3 months, blood sugar levels were lowered by 1.1 mg/dL (o.1 mmol/L) in the potassium group, but not the placebo group.

What minerals help with fluid balance?

Potassium is also an electrolyte, which regulates the fluid balance in your cells. Other minerals that help with fluid balance are sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Fluid balance is related to blood pressure, and some people may know that consuming a diet high in potassium can help lower blood pressure levels. Beyond keeping your blood pressure in ...

Does potassium help with diabetes?

Observational studies have shown that higher intake of potassium could help prevent cardiovascular disease and even delay renal issues in people with diabetes.

Does potassium lower blood pressure?

A similar conclusion was drawn in a meta-analysis of 19 studies – that potassium supplementation lowers both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure. Longer supplementation duration was associated with more profound improvements.

Can you have CKD and diabetes?

Some people find it very difficult to manage both CKD and diabetes. If you have CKD you need to work closely with a dietitian or health professional to determine the appropriate amount of potassium for your body.

Why do people take potassium?

Most people who eat a healthy diet should get enough potassium naturally. Low potassium is associated with a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility. For people with low potassium, doctors sometimes recommend improved diets -- or potassium supplements -- to prevent or treat some of these conditions.

How to know if you have potassium overdose?

Signs of a potassium overdose include muscle weakness or paralysis , irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling sensation in the limbs, low blood pressure, and coma. Get emergency medical help immediately.

What are the risks of low potassium?

Low potassium is associated with a risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer, digestive disorders, and infertility . For people with low potassium, doctors sometimes recommend improved diets -- or potassium supplements -- to prevent or treat some of these conditions.

What is the importance of potassium in a full screen?

Fullscreen. Potassium is a mineral that's crucial for life. Potassium is necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally.

How much potassium is in a food label?

The FDA has determined that foods that contain at least 350 milligrams of potassium can bear the following label: "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke .".

What is the most important mineral in the human body?

Potassium. Potassium is a mineral that's crucial for life. It's necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally. Learn more about potassium from experts at WebMD. Potassium is a mineral that's crucial for life. It's necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally.

Can you take potassium with water?

Always take potassium supplements with a full glass of water or juice. There is no set upper limit for potassium. So it's not clear exactly how much potassium you can take safely. However, very high doses of potassium can be deadly.

What foods are good for potassium?

To start with, you're much better off getting potassium from foods instead of potassium supplements. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium, including spinach, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, bananas, and avocado. Potassium-rich diets help control blood pressure and have been linked to a lower risk of stroke.

Why is potassium important for heart health?

Keeping your blood potassium level in the correct range is important, because this mineral also plays a key role in the function of nerves and muscles, including heart muscle. Your kidneys help regulate potassium levels in your blood. But age, diabetes, heart failure, and certain other conditions may impair kidney function. As a result, potassium levels can rise to high levels, leading to dangerous heart rhythm problems and even cardiac arrest.

How much potassium is in a quarter teaspoon of spironolactone?

A mere one-quarter teaspoon of one brand contains about 800 mg of potassium. If you take a potassium-sparing diuretic, such as spironolactone, you should avoid salt substitutes and limit high-potassium foods. However, if you take a diuretic that depletes potassium levels, such as hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide, ...

Why is potassium high in the kidneys?

Your kidneys help regulate potassium levels in your blood. But age, diabetes, heart failure, and certain other conditions may impair kidney function. As a result, potassium levels can rise to high levels, leading to dangerous heart rhythm problems and even cardiac arrest.

How much potassium is in cantaloupe?

A cup of cantaloupe contains about 400 mg of potassium. Image: Arisara_Tongdonnoi / Thinkstock. Q. I have high blood pressure, and a friend recommended that I take a potassium supplement.

Does ibuprofen raise potassium?

But while some diuretics tend to lower potassium levels, others have the opposite effect. And certain ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Prinvil, Zestril) or ramipril (Altace), may also raise potassium levels. So can common painkillers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).

Does potassium help with blood pressure?

Potassium-rich diets help control blood pressure and have been linked to a lower risk of stroke. But such diets also tend to be lower in sodium and contain other healthful nutrients, which may contribute to the observed blood pressure benefit.

What Is Potassium Used For?

Some studies suggest that higher intakes of potassium may reduce the risk of certain diseases including, stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones. Additionally, researchers have found an inverse relationship between potassium intake and blood pressure in those people with hypertension (high blood pressure) and low levels of potassium. People who consume a larger variety of fruits and vegetables seem to benefit the most.

What foods help with potassium?

The most optimal way to achieve your potassium needs is to eat a variety of whole foods including fruits like avocados, oranges, bananas, vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, squash, and dried beans), low-fat milk, and certain sources of protein like salmon and chicken.

How much potassium should I take for a 19 year old?

In March of 2019, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) determined that there was inadequate evidence to determine the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Americans for potassium and, therefore, determined that the adequate intake or AI (intake at this level is assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy) is 3,400 mg for males years 19 and older and 2,300 mg for women 19 and older.

What is the role of potassium in the body?

Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that plays a critical role in many functions of the body, including regulating your heartbeat and blood pressure, proper nerve conduction, protein synthesis, glycogen (storage form of glucose) synthesis, and muscle contraction. It is one of the major minerals responsible for maintaining osmotic pressure in the intra and extracellular environments.

Does potassium help with blood pressure?

Some studies suggest that higher intakes of potassium may reduce the risk of certain diseases including, stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones. Additionally, researchers have found an inverse relationship between potassium intake and blood pressure in those people with hypertension (high blood pressure) and low levels of potassium. People who consume a larger variety of fruits and vegetables seem to benefit the most.

Why do we need calcium salts in our bones?

When the pH balance is off, the body can take alkaline calcium salts from the bone in order to neutralize the pH. Some scientists believe that increased consumption ...

Does potassium citrate increase bone mineral?

The research on this subject is mixed. A study conducted in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition measured the effects of potassium citrate supplementation and increased fruit and vegetable consumption in 276 postmenopausal women. It found that after two years of potassium citrate supplementation, bone turnover was not reduced and there was no increase in bone mineral density.

Who Should Consider a Potassium Supplement?

Most adults and children do not need potassium supplements. In fact, no one—especially not children—should take this mineral without a doctor’s supervision, aside from the small amount included in common multivitamin products.

Why is potassium important for a pill?

That is because the foods must undergo digestion to release the potassium.

How to increase potassium levels in blood?

If you have been diagnosed with clinical hypokalemia (that is, your blood potassium reading falls below 3.6 millimoles per liter of blood), your doctor will likely recommend boosting your potassium levels with food or dietary supplements. For mild hypokalemia, food represents the best way to obtain more potassium. For more severe hypokalemia, supplements offer a quick, easy way to increase the level of potassium in your bloodstream. Intravenous infusions of potassium in a hospital are necessary in some cases.

How to get potassium out of your system?

Eating potassium-rich foods helps avoid the most common potassium pill side effect, which is hyperkalemia. Consuming foods high in potassium provides a slow infusion of the mineral to your bloodstream. That is because the foods must undergo digestion to release the potassium. Potassium-rich foods you can eat every day to boost low potassium or maintain normal potassium levels include: 1 Acorn squash 2 Baked potato 3 Bananas 4 Canned kidney beans 5 Cooked lentils 6 Dried apricots 7 Grilled chicken breast or beef sirloin 8 Low-fat (1%) milk

How to get more potassium in blood?

For mild hypokalemia, food represents the best way to obtain more potassium. For more severe hypokalemia, supplements offer a quick, easy way to increase the level of potassium in your bloodstream. Intravenous infusions of potassium in a hospital are necessary in some cases.

What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia often does not exhibit any symptoms, but when signs of too much potassium occur, they may include: Heart attack symptoms, such as crushing chest pain, back pain, and shortness of breath. Irregular and/or weak pulse. Muscle weakness. Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness.

Can potassium supplements cause heart attacks?

This side effect can cause a heart attack and kidney damage, which is why people should not take potassium supplements without medical supervision.

What supplements can help with potassium deficiency?

Potassium aspartate supplements are yet another option to tackle a potassium deficiency, according to the ODS.

What are some other potassium supplements?

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), potassium citrate, phosphate, aspartate and bicarbonate have all been used as dietary supplements. Doctors sometimes prescribe potas sium citrate ...

What is the difference between potassium citrate and potassium gluconate?

Though they both contain the mineral, the main difference between potassium citrate and potassium gluconate is that one is used to treat kidney stones while the other is used to treat potassium deficiency.

What is potassium gluconate used for?

Like potassium chloride, potassium gluconate uses include treating hypokalemia, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).

How does potassium chloride work?

So, how does potassium chloride work? It releases the electrolyte into your system to correct for a deficiency in the mineral, according to an August 2021 StatPearls article.

How much potassium is in a pill?

Over-the-counter potassium supplements usually contain no more than 99 milligrams of the mineral — well under the daily recommended intake for adults — which makes it difficult to take too much, according to the ODS. But it can happen: Per the Mayo Clinic, some of the less serious side effects of potassium supplements can include:

What is the best potassium for kidneys?

Another common type of potassium is potassium phosphate, which your doctor may prescribe if you have a phosphate deficiency, Dr. DeVita says. Phosphate is a mineral that plays a role in strong bones and teeth and helps support kidney function, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

How should I take potassium citrate?

Take potassium citrate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

What causes high potassium levels in the body?

high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia); kidney failure; a urinary tract infection; untreated or uncontrolled diabetes; Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder); a large tissue injury such as a severe burn; a peptic ulcer in your stomach; if you are severely dehydrated; or.

What are the side effects of potassium citrate?

severe stomach pain, ongoing diarrhea or vomiting; black, bloody, or tarry stools; or. coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. Less serious side effects may include: mild nausea or upset stomach; mild or occasional diarrhea; or. appearance of a potassium citrate tablet in your stool.

How long after taking potassium citrate can you eat?

Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after you take this medication. Take potassium citrate with a meal or bedtime snack, or within 30 minutes after a meal.

How to know if you are allergic to potassium citrate?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using potassium citrate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: confusion, anxiety, feeling like you might pass out;

Can potassium citrate be used for other purposes?

Potassium citrate may also be used for other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Can you take potassium citrate if you have a stomach problem?

You should not take potassium citrate tablets if you have problems with your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that make it difficult for you to swallow or digest pills.

Understanding How Fat Storing Hormone and Potassium Work Together

Many Conditions Create Fat Storing Hormone (and Potassium) Problems

Other Common Potassium Problems

• Remember, though, that this isn’t a problem that most people have to deal with. This only applies to people with type 1 diabetes who consume a lot of potassium. For most people, the concern is actually potassium deficiency (both in the cell and in the blood). Potassium deficiency is actually pretty common. See, we have to consume a lot of potassium...

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