Why You May Not Need 4,700 mg Of Potassium Daily

Potassium is an electrolyte that helps balance fluid levels in cells and blood. While sodium can increase blood volume, potassium decreases it. Plant foods are the best source of potassium, but it also comes from eating animal foods.

There are indications some people are not getting enough dietary potassium. Your doctor uses a blood test called Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) to check your blood potassium and sodium levels.

Some websites claim adults need up to 4,700 mg of potassium daily. Others claim as little as 2,500mg  daily is enough. For people with healthy kidneys, excess potassium is removed in your urine.

For people with kidney disease, excessive potassium can be life threatening. That is one reason potassium supplements are limited to 100 mg.

In this video:

• Do healthy adults need 4,700 mg of potassium daily? 00:46
• RDA, adequate intake and daily value. 2:45
• Potassium deficiency symptoms and risks. 4:41
• Low carb diets and potassium deficiency. 7:02