Potassium (potassium chloride)

Potassium (potassium chloride)

Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the body which is required for a wide array of vital bodily functions. Potassium chloride is the main variety of this mineral, and it works to keep the brain, heart, kidneys, and other vital organs working at optimal levels. If potassium levels get too high (hyperkalemia) or too low (hypokalemia), it can have detrimental effects on the heart and nervous system. Luckily, if you eat a healthy diet or take supplements, you will consume enough potassium to stay healthy.

Benefits of Potassium

An overwhelming body of research shows the extensive health benefits of potassium chloride:

Maintains a Healthy Heart

Research suggests that an increase in potassium intake can have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. In one study assessing the effects of potassium supplementation or placebo on the heart function of 42 participants, researchers found that potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate were able to significantly improve cardiovascular function by increasing blood flow to the heart.^[1]

Maintains Stronger Skeletal Structure

There are certain qualities of potassium which helps retain and preserve calcium, thereby maintaining bone strength and durability while preventing osteoporosis and various fractures. One study revealed that potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate supplementation in healthy individuals both reduced the excretion of calcium in the urine within a 24-hour period.^[1]

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Clinical trials in young and middle-aged hypertensive patients indicate that consuming potassium-rich foods lowers blood pressure. Interestingly, one study found that patients (60 years old and above) who received potassium chloride (120 mmol/day) along with dietary intake of potassium, sodium and calcium experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure.^[2]

Lowers Risk for Stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is the most common cause of disability in the older population.^[3] The good news is that increasing potassium intake can help prevent stroke. In fact, one study found that a 10-mmol increase in daily potassium intake was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of stroke and related deaths.^[4]  

Lowers Risk for Kidney Stones

Several studies found a strong association between low potassium status and high risk of kidney stones.^[5-6]  Because of this, researchers suggest that potassium intake can help prevent the occurrence of kidney stones especially in patients with kidney problems. In one study assessing the effects of potassium citrate (potassium salt combined with citric acid) in patients with kidney stones, a significant reduction in the recurrence of calcium-based stones was observed after the treatment.^[7]

Improves Muscle Strength

Potassium helps ensure proper growth of tissues and muscles as well as proper energy utilization during metabolism. In this way, it helps add muscular strength necessary for activities of daily living.^[8]   

References:

1. He FJ, Marciniak M, Carney C, et al. Effects of potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate on endothelial function, cardiovascular risk factors, and bone turnover in mild hypertensives. Hypertension. 2010;55(3):681-8.
2. Smith SR, Klotman PE, Svetkey LP. Potassium chloride lowers blood pressure and causes natriuresis in older patients with hypertension. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1992;2(8):1302-9.
3. Fred Ottoboni; M. Alice Ottoboni (2002). The Modern Nutritional Diseases: Heart Disease, Stroke, Type-2 Diabetes, Obesity, Cancer: and how to Prevent Them. amazon.com. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-0-915241-03-3.
4. Khaw KT, Barrett-connor E. Dietary potassium and stroke-associated mortality. A 12-year prospective population study. N Engl J Med. 1987;316(5):235-40.
5. Hirvonen T, Pietinen P, Virtanen M, Albanes D, Virtamo J. Nutrient intake and use of beverages and the risk of kidney stones among male smokers. Am J Epidemiol. 1999;150:187–194.
6. Ramaswamy K, Killilea DW, Kapahi P, Kahn AJ, Chi T, Stoller ML. The elementome of calcium-based urinary stones and its role in urolithiasis. Nature reviews Urology. 2015;12(10):543-557. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2015.208.
7. Barcelo P, Wuhl O, Servitge E, Rousaud A, Pak CY. Randomized double-blind study of potassium citrate in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1993;150:1761–1764.
8. Hodgkin AL, Horowicz P. The influence of potassium and chloride ions on the membrane potential of single muscle fibres. The Journal of Physiology. 1959;148(1):127-160.