Potassium Citrate

Potassium citrate is a form of the mineral potassium that is often found in multivitamin supplements. Potassium citrate is a form of potassium as you can probably readily infer.

Benefits of Potassium Citrate

Potassium is one of the essential minerals that helps protect the body against hypertension and strokes, but that's not the limit of this wonder mineral. Potassium is important in maintaining water balance as well as muscle function and nerve transmissions given throughout the body(as are calcium and sodium). It also, as mentioned, helps with maintaining a healthy heart as well.

Along with phosphorus and calcium, it is the most abundant mineral in the body. Its role is primarily that as an electrolyte. Like many other vitamins or minerals, potassium works in tandem with sodium. It also aids in the conversion of blood sugar (glucose) into glycogen, which is a form of energy stored in the muscles.

This is of particular interest to bodybuilders and athletes in general. In fact, potassium is regulated in the body through the kidneys and any extra in the system is excreted out through urination. Fundamentally, potassium regulates the water content of the body.

Remember, the body is largely made up of fluid so you can see why potassium, or potassium citrate, is so vital to the body. Potassium contributes to kidney health as well by preventing the formation of kidney stones caused by high levels of calcium or too much uric acid in urine. (Uric acid is a byproduct of eating red meat.)

Potassium Deficiency

Believe it or not, potassium deficiency is common. The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) as recommended by the US government is the following: Men and women need 2,000 to 4,000 milligrams daily. According to Dr. John Heinerman, however, American women get less than 50% of their daily requirement. Men too don't take enough. The homeostatic level of sodium and potassium results in dehydration, edema, and may cause kidney stones and heart related problems with long-term dehydration.

Immediate cramps is one very clear signal that your body is lacking this vital nutrient -- as with sodium. Solution? Consume more foods rich in potassium as part of the daily diet and get adequate supplementation. Getting an adequate potassium citrate supplement is not that easy, though. We talk about that in a moment.

Some foods high in potassium include: butternut squash, lima beans, spinach, black beans, soybeans, pinto beans, navy beans, bananas, cantaloupe, papaya, raisins, orange juice, potatoes, low fat milk, skim milk powder, split peas, kidney beans, kohlrabi, and dates. The first four in this list have a minimum of 1,000 milligrams of potassium, bananas the most popular potassium food have by comparison only 440 for a medium banana.

Potassium Precautions

It is not known if potassium citrate is harmful to an unborn baby, which is why it has a FDA pregnancy category C. However, pregnant and nursing mothers, for that matter, should consult with their doctor before taking any kind of supplement or high amounts of potassium-rich foods. It is also recommended taking a potassium citrate supplement with food as taking it on an empty stomach may cause nausea.

Overdosing on potassium is rare but could include vomiting (a common occurrence if the body is struggling with something it cannot handle), diarrhea, irregular heartbeats, heart attack, and even paralysis. Sticking to an RDA dosage is recommended for all supplements. Basic side effects include bloody stools, blood in vomit, abdominal pain, or an allergic reaction, difficult breathing, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or hives.

For maximum usage of potassium citrate within the system, don't eat a lot of salt or food with a lot of salt. Who should supplement with potassium citrate?

Athletes, bodybuilders, those taking medications that cause potassium deficiency, those with a poor diet, those who eat "on the go" a lot, those who are outdoors a lot who engage in strenuous activity, and women. Women especially? Yes, as women are more susceptible to osteoporosis through calcium loss, which can be traced to potassium deficiency.

Remember, many minerals work in tandem. Calcium, potassium citrate, and sodium are all classified as electrolytes and are vital minerals in many body processes.

Let's talk about how much potassium citrate we need for a moment. What is the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) as recommended by the US government? Men and women need 2,000 to 4,000 milligrams daily. Consume more foods rich in potassium as part of the daily diet and get adequate supplementation. Getting an adequate potassium citrate supplement is not that easy, though. We talk about that in the next section.

Choosing Quality Potassium Citrate

Overcome Potassium Deficiency with A Quality Supplement

Finding a quality, pharmaceutical grade supplement is difficult as there are literally hundreds and hundreds of supplements on the market today, most of which are synthetic! Many companies seek to deceive, distort, and deform the truth in their marketing and selling. To make sure you get a quality potassium citrate supplement, we recommend the basic criteria:

1. Look for tablets with enteric coating as this inert substance protects the vitamins from being lost in the gastric acids. Enteric coating protects the vitamins until they can dissolve in the upper intestine where they are then assimilated into the blood stream.

2. Take the vitamin or mineral of choice, in this case potassium citrate, with other vitamins and minerals as they are interdependent in their biochemistry, especially sodium and calcium. Take it with a full spectrum of other nutrients for maximum efficacy.

Best Multivitamin With Potassium Citrate

I've found a company that meets all the above criteria. They are one of the few dietary supplement companies that offer GMP compliant products. They are based in New Zealand, which has one of the strongest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of supplements, even surpassing the U.S. FDA requirements for prescription over-the-counter medications.

Their multivitamin supplement product is scientifically formulated containing not only potassium citrate, sodium, and calcium but also vitamins, minerals, trace and specialty minerals, and nutrient-rich enzymes.

This best vitamin supplement is truly a one-of-a-kind nutraceutical.

I hope this Potassium Citrate web page has been useful to you.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com