Question:
potassium warning!

Hi, I just finished reading a post about cramps and people taking potassium and magnesium to correct it. I was told potassium was a good thing to take for spasms, yet when I informed my doctor that I was taking it she freaked out on me and made me promise to throw them away! She said my potassium levels were fine and by taking a supplement when I DONT NEED it it can harm your heart, she said it could actually STOP your heart, my brother is a nurse and I had told him to take it for HIS spasms he was getting in his legs when he worked out so he also checked with HIS doctor who also said THROW THEM AWAY! So my message is to please be careful "self medicating" and have your levels checked first.....I wish you all well =)    — Tammy M. (posted on March 3, 2009)

March 3, 2009
Good to know. I know I am usually low when I get cramps. I guess I should not just guess what the problem is but have it checked.
   — trible

March 3, 2009
Potassium is one of those things that can be slightly too high or too low and can make one very seriously ill, including cardiac problems. A normal range is between 3.5 and 5.5 and in that range is where you need to be. Leg cramps don't always mean low potassium. It is always best to have labs drawn to be sure.
   — buggyboot

March 3, 2009
Most people usually recommend eating a banana for leg cramps...For leg cramps I take magnesium citrate. I have a lot of supplements but potassium is not one I ever use...Potassium and magnesium are electrolytes...Magnesium though, can be taken safely as long as you don't have kidney problems...I always take magnessium for leg cramps...It stops them within seconds! Plus magnesium aids in bone density! It is an often overlooked vitamin. And because only 1 % stays in the blood, blood tests are often useless at finding deficiencies and many don't even know when they are low... You are right though, potassium is not a friendly vitamin in high doses. Neither is Vit A, D, E, Zinc, Iron, B6, Folic Acid, Selenium...and some that are mildly toxic in high doses...You really have to know what you are taking...I won't even buy foods/drinks/waters that are fortified with a ton of vitamins for this reason! I take all my supplements seperate...SO many things are fortified with vitamins that if you are taking any supps, you could be over taking them when your protein powders, breads, protein bars, cereals, fancy water, drinks, etc all contain EXTRA vits on top of the two multi's we are supposed to take! Some vits can cause huge trouble!
   — .Anita R.

March 4, 2009
Hi... good reminder to check and not just self-medicate because you have heard about it or read about it. Some things that are touted as being "healthy" or sold in a health food store are harmless or because it is a vitamin or supplement that it is harmless. Be clear about this... it is all chemicals / medications (whether organic vs inorganic) ... just because you don't need a rx for it, doesn't mean that it can't hurt you. You used the example of leg cramps. There are several things that can cause leg cramps. Certainly, potassium can be one of the culprits..but so can calcium, dehydration and lack of oxygen (build up of lactic acid) in the muscles. Potassium is an especially potentially dangerous one, as is calcium if it is too high. Both of these electrolytes are essential to the proper workings of the heart in very narrow parameters. If you take things without first checking them out with the doctor, you may set yourself up for trouble. Especially if for any reason that you have an impaired liver or kidney function since most everything is filtered through one or the other, or both. Also be careful of diet supplements.. example is salt substitutes. Great if used in small amounts.. but they use potassium salts to give you the salty taste, so using too much of them can set you up for potential trouble too. Just be careful, do your research and ask your doctor... better safe than sorry. Be well...
   — Kari_K

March 4, 2009
Good to know. Thank you.
   — Corina C