Question:
How do you get your potassium?

I am having a tough time getting my RDA (or anywhere close) of Potassium. Everyone answers "BANANAS!" so fast, but a small banana only has 7% of the RDA. Considering some of that 7% is bypassed, I am thinking that is not a real strong contender. The OTC potassiums are regulated so much that you have to take a lot to get the RDA. Which leaves prescription potassium. How is everyone else doing this?    — Karen F. (posted on June 11, 2002)

June 11, 2002
I regularly use a salt substitute that is made from potassium cloride rather than sodium to help boost potasium. It is available at just about any grocery store as the brands No-Salt and Nu-salt. Also a lite salt is made up of half regular salt and half potasium cloride. I used it for quite some time before surgery as part of a low sodium diet for High Blood pressure, but use it regularly now too just to kind of boost the potasium intake. Good Luck.
   — Dell H.

June 11, 2002
Tomato Juice or V-8 is a GREAT source of Potassium - 11 oz can of V-8 has 70 calories - 780 mg Potassium - the sodium is high at 880 mg....potatoes are also a fairly good source. Edge Advant - low Carb protein drink...the chocolate flavor has 500 mg of potassium and french vanilla is 380 mg. I hope this helps. Good luck, Karan
   — chance2lv

June 11, 2002
I take Eniva potassium supplement. It is in ionic (water) form so the body can use every bit of it.
   — livnliter

June 11, 2002
I had low potassium for over a month before I have regulated it (along with a smart doctor...lol!) I had to change my diuretic that I took along with my blood pressure meds (which are only 1/2 of the lowest dosage available) from HCTZ to Mexade which is potassium retaining. I also take 1 teaspoon of 10% liquid potassium chloride each night. Finally, the burning in my calves has subsided. It woke me each night at 3:00 and would not quit until I got up and walked around. I mix the liquid potassium with a little orange juice and it doesn't taste bad at all. It just has a kind of medicinal taste but no aftertaste. My pharmicist told me that over the counter potassium supplements would not give me enough potassium. He was adamant about not wasting my money on it and just using this potassium. Too much potassium can be dangerous as well as low potassium. That is why it is important to have a blood test often to see where your levels are. My PCP told me low potassium and/or high potassium can cause heart arythymia (spelling?). good luck and stay on top of this as it is important. I have a hard time staying hydrated and just can't drink enough fluids. They make me nauseous and 4 oz of water fills my pouch up totally! It is a challenge. I eat bananas too and anything high in potassium.
   — Marilyn C.

June 12, 2002
Karen: I had so low level of potassium was having severe muscle cramps, finally my doc gave me a prescription potassium vit. It has worked great. The only thing that hurt me was eating bannans (go figure) Ask you doc about thne they break in half I just take one right after breakfast .... Good Luck ;)
   — Sammie D.

June 12, 2002
There's an excellent website, The Potassium Chronicles, at http://www.krispin.com/potassm.html I thought for sure my potassium was low because I was feeling so tired and my heart seemed to do these fluttery things when I was outside walking. But surprisingly my labs show potassium at 4.3, which is very normal. I guess I am getting my potassium from the foods I'm eating daily. Hugs, Joy
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