How to tell if you have a potassium deficiency and the most effective ways to treat it, according to nutritionists

Erin Heger,Adelia C. Bovell BenjaminNov 21, 2020, 00:21 IST

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Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium.Robynmac/Getty Images

Early symptoms of potassium deficiency include constipation, fatigue, and muscle cramps.
You are at a greater risk of potassium deficiency if you have inflammatory bowel disease or are taking diuretics.
To treat potassium deficiency, eat more potassium-rich foods like sweet potatoes, bananas, and dried apricots.

Potassium is an important mineral that helps with nerve functioning and muscle contraction. If you do not consume enough or have certain underlying health problems, you may develop a deficiency.

Here's what you need to know about potassium deficiency and how it is treated.

What does potassium do?

Potassium is an electrolyte that works in conjunction with other electrolytes, like sodium and magnesium, to assist in many necessary functions, including:

Balancing fluids in the body
Nerve function
Muscle contraction, including keeping your heart beating regularly
Stabilizing blood pressure
Kidney function

The standard American diet isn't very high in potassium-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, and as a result, many people don't get enough, says Stacie Stephenson, a certified nutrition specialist and board member for the American Nutritional Association.

"The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identified potassium as a nutrient of public health concern because Americans are not consuming recommended amounts," says Lisa Cooper, a registered dietitian with Orlando Health, a not-for-profit healthcare organization. "Americans have low intakes of fruits and vegetables which is a contributing factor to low potassium intake."

Signs and symptoms of potassium deficiency

Symptoms of potassium deficiency vary depending on the severity of your condition. Signs of mild potassium deficiency include:

Constipation
Fatigue
Muscle weakness

More moderate cases can cause:

Muscle cramping or spasms
Twitching
Heart rhythm abnormalities

Most people experiencing mild symptoms may not realize they have a potassium deficiency because these symptoms can be caused by many other things, like fibromyalgia or muscle strains, Stephenson says.

Signs of severe potassium deficiency, known as hypokalemia, include:

Muscle paralysis
Loss of control over muscles
Difficulty breathing

Hypokalemia affects up to about 21% of hospitalized patients, mostly due to the use of diuretics or other medications, but the condition is rare among healthy people with normal kidney function.

Causes of potassium deficiency

The recommended daily amount of potassium varies by age and sex. For adult males, the recommendation is 3,400 milligrams a day. For adult females, the adequate intake is 2,600 milligrams a day, with higher recommendations during pregnancy (2,900 mg) and lactation (2,800 mg).

Most Americans don't get adequate amounts of potassium in their diets. A very large 2012 study examining the potassium intake of adults over five years found that less than 2% consumed the recommended daily amount of potassium.

However, a lack of potassium in the diet is rarely the cause of a severe deficiency, Cooper says. If you have a severe deficiency, it's more likely the result of:

Diuretics, like those used to treat high blood pressure. Potassium is filtered out of your body through urine, so an increased urine output can contribute to a deficiency.
Diarrhea or vomiting, usually due to an illness like viral gastroenteritis.
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Chron's disease or ulcerative colitis because these conditions can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients from your intestines.

Diagnosis

If you are experiencing signs of potassium deficiency, like muscle twitching, cramping, or a racing heartbeat, you should consult with your doctor, Stephenson says. Even if you don't have low potassium, these signs could indicate another electrolyte deficiency, like magnesium, or another medical problem that needs attention.

Your doctor is likely to do a urine test to determine whether or not you have a deficiency. A normal concentration of potassium in the urine ranges from about 3.6 to 5.0 mmol/L. Your doctor might also conduct a blood test or an electrocardiogram — a test that records the electrical activity of the heart — to diagnose you.

Potassium deficiency treatment

If you think you may have a potassium deficiency, you should consult with your doctor, Cooper says. Your doctor may recommend a supplement in more severe cases, but mild cases are usually treated by increasing high-potassium foods.

"By adding foods like high potassium fruits and vegetables, you are also adding vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that have a positive impact on health," Cooper says.

Foods that contain potassium include:

Dried apricots — ¼ cup contains 378 mg of potassium
Bananas — 1 medium banana contains 442 mg of potassium
Salmon — 3 oz cooked contain 534 mg of potassium
Sweet potatoes — 1 medium sweet potato contains 542 mg of potassium
White beans — ½ cup contains 595 mg of potassium
Tomato paste — ¼ cup contains 669 mg of potassium

Supplements

In severe cases, a doctor might recommend a potassium supplement or potassium via an intravenous (IV) solution.

There are many different types of dietary supplements for potassium. Not all multivitamins contain potassium, but the ones that do usually provide about 80 mg of potassium. Potassium-only supplements typically contain up to 99 mg of potassium. Your doctor can help you determine the appropriate dosage for you.

Insider's takeaway

Potassium is an electrolyte that assists in many bodily functions, including muscle movement and cardiac function. Some medications, like diuretics, or illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea can result in a potassium deficiency. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables that contain potassium can help you maintain proper levels.

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