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| Potassium is one of the major minerals used in the body. Total body potassium is in constant turnover, as it is excreted quite rapidly in the urine. What the banana does have is the highest potassium-to-sodium ratio - 440:1. All vegetables are sources of potassium; foods and herbs that are especially rich sources include green leafy vegetables, celery, lettuce, turnips, dandelion, mint leaves, cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower, whole grains (oats, rye), oranges, dates, grapes, raisins, figs, apricots, peaches, sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits, bananas. Processing and cooking leaches potassium out of foods. Supplement sources include potassium salts (chloride, bicarbonate), chelates (aspartate, citrate, etc.) or food extracts. Commercial potassium supplements in the U.S. are limited by the FDA to 99mg which happens to be the recommended daily allowance. A prescription is required for higher doses, even though an average banana may contain 500mg and popular "salt substitutes" made from potassium chloride provide 3,180mg of potassium per teaspoon! Function; Reasons For Use Potassium intake has been associated with lowering blood pressure and there are a variety of mechanisms to explain this possible interaction. The use of thiazide diuretics can severely reduce potassium levels. Directions When doctors prescribe potassium supplements, it is usually in the range of 1,500 to 3,000mg per day. If you have lost fluids from nausea or diarrhea, potassium broth is an especially good idea. Potassium broth takes advantage of the fact that the outside of a potato is one of the highest plant sources of potassium. This is the part most people throw away! If you want to add some other optional vegetables, by all means do so. Wash and chop all vegetables into small pieces, then add them to water and simmer for 30-40 minutes in a covered pot. Strain out the vegetables, cool and drink the water (broth). If you have extra broth, you can store it in glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. |
| Potassium Need Coronary Disease / Heart Attack General Weakness Hypertension Hypokalemia Metabolic Diet Type Osteoporosis - Osteopenia |