Potassium Intake, Bioavailability, Hypertension, and Glucose Control

Abstract

Potassium is an essential nutrient. It is the most abundant cation in intracellular fluid where it plays a key role in maintaining cell function. The gradient of potassium across the cell membrane determines cellular membrane potential, which is maintained in large part by the ubiquitous ion channel the sodium-potassium (Na+-K+) ATPase pump. Approximately 90% of potassium consumed (60–100 mEq) is lost in the urine, with the other 10% excreted in the stool, and a very small amount lost in sweat. Little is known about the bioavailability of potassium, especially from dietary sources. Less is understood on how bioavailability may affect health outcomes. Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a major financial burden ($50.6 billion) to the US public health system, and has a significant impact on all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. The relationship between increased potassium supplementation and a decrease in HTN is relatively well understood, but the effect of increased potassium intake from dietary sources on blood pressure overall is less clear. In addition, treatment options for hypertensive individuals (e.g., thiazide diuretics) may further compound chronic disease risk via impairments in potassium utilization and glucose control. Understanding potassium bioavailability from various sources may help to reveal how specific compounds and tissues influence potassium movement, and further the understanding of its role in health.

Nutritional Counseling for Hypertensive Patients: Have Final-Year Nursing Students Learnt Enough to Be Able to Offer Advice to Such Patients?

“…Mineral intakes have been found to lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Dietary potassium intake has been demonstrated to significantly lower blood pressure (BP) in a dose-responsive manner in both hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients in both observational studies and clinical trials [14,26]. Intake of magnesium in particular has been shown to enhance the BPlowering effect of antihypertensive medications [27,28].…”

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“…There are several studies that have tried to reverse glucose impairments and eventually prevent the imminent development of diabetes 54,55 . Potassium supplement, for example, was suggested to be used to treat thiazide-induced hypokalemia, which ultimately may prevent hyperglycemia attributed to thiazide diuretics 56 . Other drugs were also endorsed to improve control of hyperglycemia.…”

Twenty‐four‐Hour Urinary Potassium Excretion, But Not Sodium Excretion, Is Associated With All‐Cause Mortality in a General Population

“…In general, most ingested potassium is excreted via the urine: ≈90% of potassium consumed is lost in the urine, with the other 10% excreted in the stool, and a small amount is lost in sweat . Potassium is intrinsically soluble and quickly dispersed in the luminal water of the upper digestive tract . The World Health Organization recommends potassium intake of at least 90 mmol/d (3.5 g/d) for adults.…”

“…3 Potassium is intrinsically soluble and quickly dispersed in the luminal water of the upper digestive tract. 4 The World Health Organization recommends potassium intake of at least 90 mmol/d (3.5 g/d) for adults. However, most populations around the world consume less than the recommended levels of potassium.…”