Potassium dietary recommendations

In terms of mineral content, potato is best known as an important source of dietary potassium, which plays a fundamental role in acid-base regulation and fluid balance and is required for optimal functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive systems. Health benefits of sufficient potassium intake include reduced risk of hypokalemia, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, stroke, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), kidney stones, and asthma. A high intake of potassium and low intake of sodium have been hypothesized to reduce the risk of stroke (Larsson et al., 2008 Swain et al., 2008). However, most American women 31-50 years old consume no more than half of the recommended amoimt of potassium and men s intake is only moderately higher (lOM, 2004). 

The primary roles and the recommended daily intake of major and trace minerals are listed in Table 38-3. Similar to vitamins, these minerals are typically obtained from dietary sources. Specific minerals may likewise be included in various multivitamins and other dietary supplements, with the intent that these minerals will promote good health and prevent disease. Again, there is generally no need for mineral supplements for most people eating a reasonably balanced diet. On the other hand, mineral supplements can be helpful in specific situations where the body s need for a mineral may exceed dietary supply. Some examples of appropriate supplementation include calcium supplements for people with osteoporosis (see Chapter 31), potassium supplements for people on diuretics (see Chapter 21), and iron supplements for people with certain anemias. Hence, mineral supplements may be helpful in certain individuals, but the dose and type of supplement should be adjusted carefully. 

The potassium-depleting diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, metolazone) cause potassium loss that may be reversed by supplementation and/or dietary adjustments. As previously stated, potassium can be harmful in high amounts, so any supplementation should be recommended and supervised by a doctor. 

Most national health authorities now recommend increased potassium consumption, along with their advice to cut back on sodium. That s true for the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health the American Heart Association Health Canada and the Australian Heart Foundation. The reason for this unanimity is simple the science just can t be denied. Potassium is a chemical element that helps to maintain normal functioning of muscles, the heart, and the nervous system. Potassium is a major regulator of blood pressure. 

In patients with elevated triglyceride levels (>500 mg/dL) and/or LDL between 100 and 129 mg/dL, lifestyle changes are recommended (see Chap. 21). Unfortunately, most patients with CKD have aheady been advised to adhere to difficult dietary regimens, which may include protein, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and fluid restrictions, as well as diabetic exchanges. Thus although diet therapy is a reasonable first-step approach, it may not be successful in many patients with CKD because of noncompliance. A dietitian who is well versed in the management of kidney disease should be consulted. 

The recommended daily allowance for dietary potassium intake is approximately 50 mEq/day. Potassium is found in abundance in fruits, vegetables, and meats. The typical American ingests approximately 50 to 150 mEq of potassium daily." Nearly all of this is absorbed, with only 10 to 20 mEq eliminated in feces. The amount eliminated in the feces increases, however, in patients with diarrhea, and perhaps in those with underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD).5... 

Note-. Potassium iodide (Ki) potassium iodate (KiOs) sodium iodide (Nai) recommended dietary allowance (RDA) recommended daily intake (RDi) parts per miiiion (ppm). 

In addition to the macronutrients, nuts contain significant amounts of essential micronutrients such as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and folate [29]. Nuts are also one of the richest whole foods sources of vitamin E and were specifically recommended in the 2005 Dietary... 

The importance of the minerals and the consequences of their deficiency are well known [28], The mineral contents of Chinese, European, and Japanese chestnuts are listed in Table 11.2 [22], European chestnut has the highest potassium content compared to Chinese and Japanese chestnuts. Magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese contents are higher in Chinese chestnut than in European and Japanese chestnuts. On the other hand, Japanese chestnut contains the highest amounts of calcium, iron, sodium, zinc, and copper contents among these three varieties. The minimum and maximum percentages of recommended dietary allowances (RDA) or adequate intake (Al) of these minerals obtained by... 

Potassium iodate, KIO3, the most thermodynamically stable and naturally occurring compound of polyvalent iodine, has found some application as a dietary supplement and a food additive. It can be used as a source of iodine in iodized salt and also as a dough conditioner [3]. In fact, because potassium iodate is more stable than iodide in the presence of air, most health authorities preferentially recommend iodate as an additive to salt for correcting iodine deficiency. Iodate is rapidly reduced to iodide in the body iodide is essential for thyroid function. However, high levels of iodate (0.600 mg per day) have been shown to cause damage to the retina, resulting in ocular toxicity [4]. The recommended level of iodine in iodized salt is between 20 and... 

Sources Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Huoride (1997) Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin 85, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline (1998) EHetary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids (2000) Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc (2001) Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate (2005) and EHetary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D (2011). These reports may be accessed via www.nap.edu A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. Unless otherwise specified, the UL represents total intake from food, water, and supplements. Due to a lack of suitable data, ULs could not be established for vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and carotenoids. In the absence of a UL, extra caution may be warranted in consuming levels above recommended intakes. Members of the general population should be advised not to routinely exceed the UL. The UL is not meant to ply to individuals who are treated with the nutrient under medical supervision or to individuals with predisposing conditions that modify their sensitivity to the nutrient... 

In small amounts, the fluoride ion (often consumed as NaF) prevents tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association, an adult female should consume 3.0 mg of fluorine per day. Calculate the amount of sodium fluoride (45.24% F) that a woman should consume to get the recommended amount of fluorine. 78. The iodide ion, usually consumed as potassium iodide, is a dietary mineral essential to good nutrition. In countries where potassium iodide is added to salt, iodine deficiency or goiter has been almost completely eliminated. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 /ig/day. How much potassium iodide (76.45% 1) should you consume to meet the RDA ... 

RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE OE CHLORINE. The are no recommended dietary allowances for chlorine because the average person s intake of 3 to 9 g daily from foods and added table salt easily meets the requirements. Also, diets that provide sufficient sodium and potassium provide adequate chlorine. 

Prevention of goiter is usually achieved in the developed countries by the use of iodized salt For the purpose of iodizing, the FDA allows up to 0.01% of potassium iodide (Kl) in table salt Two grams of iodized table salt per day—most people use more furnishes about 152 meg of iodine or slightly more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults. 

Dietary intake surveys typically do not include estimates from salt substitutes and supplements. However, less than 10% of those surveyed in NHANES-III reported using salt substitutes or a reduced-sodium salt. Because a high dietary intake of potassium can be achieved through diet rather than pills and because potassium derived from foods also comes with bicarbonate precursors, as well as a variety of other nutrients, the preferred strategy to achieve the recommended potassium intake is to consume foods rather than supplements. 

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