Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte.
Potassium bicarbonate is one available form of potassium supplement.
Others include potassium chloride, potassium acetate, potassium citrate, and potassium gluconate.
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Most people can receive enoughpotassiumthrough certain foods, but some health conditions or medications may cause low potassium levels.
In this case, potassium bicarbonate may be prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Potassium supplements should be taken cautiously since too much potassium can be harmful.
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That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
While this article is specific to potassium bicarbonate, the potential uses are related to potassium supplementation in general.
Your healthcare provider can discuss which form is most appropriate for your needs.
Below are the potential uses in which potassium supplementation may have a role.
Hypokalemia frequently happens in hospitalized people.
They may be prescribed oral (by mouth) or intravenous (IV, into the vein) potassium.
Certain health conditions or medications can cause persistent hypokalemia.
In these cases, you may need potassium supplementation over a longer period.
It includes manypotassium-rich foods.
In fact, theDASH dietprovides three times the amount of potassium compared to the typical American diet.
Bone Health
Potassium may play a role in improving bone health.
In a 2013 study,people received 60 milliequivalents of potassium citrate or a placebo for years.
Bone mineral density (BMD) improved significantly with potassium supplementation compared to placebo.
A meta-analysis of 14 studies reviewed the effects of potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate on calcium metabolism.
The authors found there was a reduction in bone resorption indicating a potential benefit to bone health.
Note some of these studies evaluated potassium citrate, not potassium bicarbonate.
Kidney Stones
There is some evidence that higher potassium intake may prevent the development ofkidney stones.
However, it should be noted that this does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Additionally, the higher potassium intake was not from supplementation.
Further research in the form of clinical trials is needed to determine if potassium supplements can prevent kidney stones.
Stroke
Higher intakes of potassium may help preventstroke.
Two separate meta-analyses found a reduction in stroke occurrence in those who had higher potassium intake.
Another meta-analysis found an inverse relationship between potassium intake and the risk of stroke.
Again, these studies evaluated potassium intake from the diet and not specifically potassium supplementation.
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What Causes a Potassium Deficiency?
Potassium deficiency is most often due to increased losses.
Potassium losses can occur throughdiureticuse, laxative use, or the GI tract or kidneys.
Some diuretics (also known as “water pills”) cause higher amounts of potassium to be excreted.
Potassium deficiency can also occur as a result oflaxative abuse, which can lead to GI symptoms like diarrhea.
Signs of a possible potassium deficiency include:
Your potassium level can be checked in your blood.
Potassium levels are part of a basic chemistry panel.
What Are the Side Effects of Potassium Bicarbonate?
There may be some side effects from supplementing with potassium bicarbonate (and potassium in general).
Talk to a healthcare provider about the risk of side effects.
Potassium bicarbonate increases potassium levels.
People with kidney disease often have high blood levels of potassium.
Potassium bicarbonate may interact with some medications that affect potassium levels.
These include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, NSAIDs, and steroids.
If you take any of these medications, talk to your healthcare provider before taking potassium bicarbonate.
Dosage: How Much Potassium Bicarbonate Should I Take?
There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for potassium bicarbonate.
However, there are Adequate Intakes (AIs) ofpotassium.
AI refers to the recommended average daily nutrient level in healthy people.
Taking too much potassium can cause serious heart complications.
What Happens if I Take Too Much Potassium Bicarbonate?
Although not as common, some may experience an irregular heartbeat.
It is possible for death to occur from too much potassium intake, but it is rarely reported.
The kidneys regulate potassium balance in the body.
Assuming normal kidney function, excess potassium will be filtered through the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
Interactions
There are several different medications that can affect the amount of potassium in your body.
Most salt substitutes replace sodium with potassium.
The potassium content of salt substitutes ranges from 440 to 2,800 mg of potassium per teaspoon.
This should be included in the total potassium intake.
Salt substitutes should be avoided while taking a potassium supplement.
How to Store Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium supplements should be stored in a tightly closed container.
Keep them protected from heat, moisture, and light.
As with all medications and supplements, store out of reach of children and pets.
It is also available as an individual supplement or in multi-nutrient supplements.
No, potassium bicarbonatewhich is potassium acid carbonateis not baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
However, potassium bicarbonate can be used as a low-sodium alternative to baking soda.
Use the same amount of potassium bicarbonate as baking soda in recipes.
Potassium Supplements
Potassium supplements are available as pills or tablets, liquids, and powders.
All forms are absorbed in the body equally as well.
The Supplement Facts label should include the amount of elemental potassium.
Potassium is often referred to in amounts of milliequivalents (mEq) or milligrams.
For conversion, 1 milliequivalent is equal to 39.09 milligrams of potassium.
Potassium supplements will come with a warning if they provide greater than 99 milligrams of potassium.
This is because some potassium salts have led to small-bowel lesions.
Summary
Healthy people can maintain potassium balance in their bodies quite easily.
Potassium bicarbonate is one available form of potassium supplement.
Potassium supplements are available for those who may benefit.
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