Potassium is one of the minerals that make our bodies run.
Potassium is an electrolyte and has an important role in nerve function, heartbeat, muscle contraction, and various essential cellular processes.
At the end of the day, if you’re reading this article, you have at least some potassium doing its jobs in your body.
However, having some potassium present doesn’t mean that you have enough!
Though potassium is found in natural foods like bananas, cruciferous greens, mushrooms, and potatoes (even the sweet ones!), it’s possible to be deficient in potassium. A potassium deficiency causes numerous health problems and is associated with unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, constipation, irregular heartbeat, acute fatigue, muscle cramping, spasms, and weakness.
If you have any of these symptoms and you think you might be deficient in potassium, you don’t have to wonder. Some tests can tell you if you need more.
If you are deficient, there are plenty of natural ways you can increase the amount of potassium in your body.
Of course, the obvious way to add potassium to your diet is by eating foods rich in potassium. All you need is to make sure you eat a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables. Try to have some every meal, and you should be fine.
But perhaps you want to make sure that you’re eating enough potassium from natural food sources. Let’s look at the numbers to get a sense of how many natural foods you need to eat to get enough potassium.
It is generally accepted that an adult should eat about 4,000 mg of potassium (more or less for size, sex, and special needs) from food sources per day. The Mayo Clinic states:
- 1 potato contains 844 mg
- 1 cup of spinach contains 838 mg
- 1 cup of kidney beans contains 713 mg
- 1 small-to-medium portion of watermelon contains 560 mg
- 1 cup of yogurt contains 531 mg.
Mayo Clinic also flags brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, milk, orange juice, and raisins, to name a few, as being high in potassium.
But remember, you can even find potassium in smaller quantities in a range of foods. A little bit of potassium here and there can add up to a whole lot during the day!
However, you may still be deficient in potassium for one reason or other. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re eating the wrong way.
Of course, it’s hard to diagnose a potassium deficiency without medical help, so we recommend that you consult with a primary care physician to learn more. If you find out that you are indeed low in this precious mineral, supplementation is another option.
Potassium Supplementation
There are plenty of high-quality potassium supplements available online, and we have some special products to recommend to you today.
Any of the following may provide potassium that fits your needs. Make sure to read up and choose the one product that best fits your needs, and consult a doctor if you have any additional questions.
- Potassium Orotate from Priority One
- Potassium Magnesium Citrate from Metabolic Maintenance
- Magnesium/Potassium Complex from Douglas Laboratories
However you get your potassium, we hope you achieve healthy levels in your body for your unique needs. Good luck!
