K+2 Potassium™ is a uniquely formulated potassium product composed of potassium bicarbonate and potassium bound to the amino acid glycine, which gives this product optimal potency, stability and tolerability. Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the body after calcium and phosphorus. Total body potassium content is about 30-40 grams, 98% of which is contained inside cells, mostly in skeletal muscle. Potassium is the most abundant positively charged intracellular electrolyte. Potassium concentrations are about 30 times higher inside cells than outside, compared to the concentration of sodium, which is 10 times lower inside cells than outside. This difference is what creates the membrane potential, an electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane essential for proper muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, hormone secretion from endocrine glands, and cardiac muscle function. As much as 20%-40% of an adult’s resting energy expenditure is dedicated to maintaining this critical electrochemical balance, via sodium-potassium-ATPase pumps. Potassium is abundant in vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts, with smaller amounts in animal foods. Owing to this relative ubiquity, overt potassium deficiency is rare, but suboptimal intake may lead to signs and symptoms of insuffciency, which may include fatigue, lethargy, muscle weakness, cramping or twitching, heavy legs, constipation, intestinal paralysis (resulting in delayed gastric emptying, bloating and abdominal pain), and cardiac arrhythmias.1,2 Inadequate dietary intake does not typically result in hypokalemia (dangerously low blood potassium), but the risk factors for potassium deficiency in the sidebar should be noted.
• Chronic dieting for weight loss
• Prolonged strenuous exercise, especially in hot weather (potassium loss in sweat)
• Chronic kidney failure
• Alcoholism
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea from illness (including inflammatory bowel disease) or overuse/abuse of laxatives and emetics
• Use of pharmaceutical drugs that cause potassium loss (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, “loop” diuretics)
• Magnesium deficiency may lead to potassium depletion
Potassium is best regarded for its roles in lowering blood pressure, reducing risk for stroke, supporting bone health and reducing risk for kidney stones. Low potassium intake may be a risk factor for hypertension, especially when combined with high sodium intake. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of potassium supplementation for lowering blood pressure found that potassium is effective for this purpose in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects, with the effect being more pronounced in those with hypertension. Reduction in BP was correlated significantly with decreased urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio and increased urinary potassium.3 Similar findings were observed in a separate
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