strong_one
11-14-2004, 03:29 PM
I have been starting my DASH diet and I heard that if you have too much potassium it isn't good for you.
BTW, My BP has steadily been going down with getting back to my exercise routine coupled with this DASH diet. I haven't felt this great since I had my spike in BP a few months back! I just don't want to get too carried away with this DASH diet with as much potassium you eat.
Does anyone know how much is too much?? :confused:
BTW, My BP has steadily been going down with getting back to my exercise routine coupled with this DASH diet. I haven't felt this great since I had my spike in BP a few months back! I just don't want to get too carried away with this DASH diet with as much potassium you eat.
Does anyone know how much is too much?? :confused:
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jtu91952
11-14-2004, 04:44 PM
I don't know how much is too much, but the fda website gave min. 2500 to 3500 for potassium.
JJ
11-15-2004, 12:53 AM
This is what I found in Potassium levels:
If you have your blood checked, you might compare your readings with normal levels. The normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (this is a measure used to evaluate the level). Low potassium is defined as a potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L.
My dr. got all bent out of shape about 5 months ago cause mine went to 3.3. I would consult with your dr. If U are taking a BP med. that holds in the potassum, like Ace's or ARB's U shouldn't take in too much potassium. Diuretics seem to make your potassium low, depending on what kind U take.
Hope this helps.... :wave:
If you have your blood checked, you might compare your readings with normal levels. The normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (this is a measure used to evaluate the level). Low potassium is defined as a potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L.
My dr. got all bent out of shape about 5 months ago cause mine went to 3.3. I would consult with your dr. If U are taking a BP med. that holds in the potassum, like Ace's or ARB's U shouldn't take in too much potassium. Diuretics seem to make your potassium low, depending on what kind U take.
Hope this helps.... :wave:
mgraylorn
11-15-2004, 11:47 AM
Glad to hear that exercise and better diet are lowering your bp! I'd say don't take potassium suppliments, or foods with extra potassium added (like potassium fortified milk or orange juice) unless your doctor prescribed them. I'd guess that unless all you eat are high potassium foods - and in great quantities, you probably can't get too much from your diet.
I lifted this from www.wholehealthmd.com:
If You Get Too Much
Most people can safely absorb up to 18 g of potassium a day. In fact, potassium toxicity--a condition called hyperkalemia--is very unlikely to occur unless you take potassium supplements inappropriately or your kidneys don't function properly. That's because the kidneys carefully monitor the balance of potassium in the body and excrete any excess.
However, if your kidneys are malfunctioning for some reason and can't properly process and eliminate potassium as a result, you may develop toxic levels of potassium in your bloodstream by taking supplements. Signs of too much potassium in your body include muscle fatigue and an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia).
General Dosage Information
For high blood pressure: Consume potassium-rich foods daily. Because of the risk of toxicity, however, don't take potassium in supplement form without professional supervision.
Guidelines for Use
To reduce the risk of stomach upset and nausea with potassium supplements that your doctor has prescribed, always take them with food.
General Interaction
Definitely avoid potassium supplements if you take drugs known as potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, or an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure or angina. Always consult a doctor under such circumstances, because combining any of these drugs with potassium can lead to hyperkalemia.
Because of the risk of various complications, consult your doctor before combining a digitalis drug (cardiac glycoside) with supplemental potassium.
Corticosteroids, loop diuretics (such as bumetanide and furosemide), and thiazide diuretics (including hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide) all can lower the level of potassium in the body. Potassium supplementation may be required but should always be undertaken with medical supervision.
Note: For information on interactions with specific generic drugs, see our WholeHealthMD Drug-Nutrient Interactions Chart.
Cautions
If you take a medication to control high blood pressure or heart disease, or if you have a kidney disorder, never take potassium supplements without medical supervision. Consuming potassium-rich foods is fine, however.
I lifted this from www.wholehealthmd.com:
If You Get Too Much
Most people can safely absorb up to 18 g of potassium a day. In fact, potassium toxicity--a condition called hyperkalemia--is very unlikely to occur unless you take potassium supplements inappropriately or your kidneys don't function properly. That's because the kidneys carefully monitor the balance of potassium in the body and excrete any excess.
However, if your kidneys are malfunctioning for some reason and can't properly process and eliminate potassium as a result, you may develop toxic levels of potassium in your bloodstream by taking supplements. Signs of too much potassium in your body include muscle fatigue and an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia).
General Dosage Information
For high blood pressure: Consume potassium-rich foods daily. Because of the risk of toxicity, however, don't take potassium in supplement form without professional supervision.
Guidelines for Use
To reduce the risk of stomach upset and nausea with potassium supplements that your doctor has prescribed, always take them with food.
General Interaction
Definitely avoid potassium supplements if you take drugs known as potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, or an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure or angina. Always consult a doctor under such circumstances, because combining any of these drugs with potassium can lead to hyperkalemia.
Because of the risk of various complications, consult your doctor before combining a digitalis drug (cardiac glycoside) with supplemental potassium.
Corticosteroids, loop diuretics (such as bumetanide and furosemide), and thiazide diuretics (including hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide) all can lower the level of potassium in the body. Potassium supplementation may be required but should always be undertaken with medical supervision.
Note: For information on interactions with specific generic drugs, see our WholeHealthMD Drug-Nutrient Interactions Chart.
Cautions
If you take a medication to control high blood pressure or heart disease, or if you have a kidney disorder, never take potassium supplements without medical supervision. Consuming potassium-rich foods is fine, however.
Palamedes
11-15-2004, 02:27 PM
For high blood pressure: Consume potassium-rich foods daily. Because of the risk of toxicity, however, don't take potassium in supplement form without professional supervision.
This is something I've never understood. A little tiny 6 oz. baked potato provides 600mg of potassium. And, a banana is good for around 500 mg. Yet, most potassium supplements are only 99 mg. It appears that the supplements have much less potassium.
Pal
This is something I've never understood. A little tiny 6 oz. baked potato provides 600mg of potassium. And, a banana is good for around 500 mg. Yet, most potassium supplements are only 99 mg. It appears that the supplements have much less potassium.
Pal
strong_one
11-15-2004, 03:59 PM
Thank You all!!! I think I'm ok with what I'm doing now. I have blood tests on Wed. I am will ask about what effect my meds have on my potassium levels. :D