Cardiovascular disease potassium deficiency

Dyckner T. Relation of cardiovascular disease to potassium and magnesium deficiencies. Am J Cardiol 1990 65(23) K44-6. 

Licorice is approved by the German Commission E to treat peptic ulcer, in doses of 200-600 mg glycyrrhizin daily (Blumenthal, 1998). They also recommend that treatment not exceed 6 wk because of the known side effects of licorice. It is recommended that patients with cardiovascular or renal disease use licorice only under the care of a physician. Patients prone to potassium deficiency are also advised not use licorice. 

A diet with sufficient potassium can reduce the risk of stroke, slow the progress of kidney disease, and control blood pressure. Americans consume on average 30-40 percent less potassium than has been the norm for the human race over the course of its history. The behavior is attributable to the lowered consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables—a consequence of the easy availability of processed foods. The new trends in diet have produced a potassium deficiency in large segments of the population, which has in turn led to an increased incidence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. The use of diuretics, laxatives, and steroids also contributes to a deficiency, as too much potassium can be flushed out of the body. 

Severe potassium deficiency, which most commonly results from diuretic-induced potassium losses, is characterized by a serum potassium concentration of less than 3.5 mmol/1. The adverse consequences of hypokalemia are cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and glucose intolerance. Moderate potassium deficiency, which commonly results from an inadequate dietary intake of potassium, occurs without hypokalemia and is characterized by increased blood pressure, increased salt sensitivity, an increased risk of kidney stones, and increased bone turnover. An inadequate intake of dietary potassium may also increase the risk of stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases. 

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