Potassium: Do You Get Enough?

Potassium: Do You Get Enough?

Potassium is a mineral involved in muscle contraction, nerve signaling and proper organ function, including the kidneys and heart. Potassium is important for blood pressure; people with a low intake of potassium are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

Potassium needs can be reached through eating a variety of foods as well as taking supplements, though some groups of people including those on certain medications such as laxatives and diuretics get less than the recommended amounts of potassium from these sources.

Food sources of potassium include:

• Fruit such as raisins and bananas

• Vegetables such as winter squash, spinach, tomatoes and broccoli

• Legumes including lentils, kidney beans and edamame

• Dairy products such as milk and yogurt

• Nuts

• Meat and poultry

• Fish

Potassium is also available in supplements, including some multivitamins. Talk to your personal practitioner about the form of potassium that works best for you. Take supplements as prescribed by your practitioner. 

Reference

National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Potassium Fact Sheet for Consumers.  March 2021. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-Consumer/