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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Mineral

Potassium

Major intracellular cation essential for BP control, muscle function, and acid-base balance.

Cardiovascular HealthElectrolytes & HydrationGeneral Wellness

Overview

Major intracellular cation essential for BP control, muscle function, and acid-base balance.

Natural sources
  • Potatoes
  • Bananas
  • Beans
  • Leafy greens
Common forms
  • Potassium chloride
  • Citrate
  • Bicarbonate

Forms & variants of Potassium

Different chemical forms of Potassium behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Bicarbonate (alkaline)
Potassium Bicarbonate

Alkaline potassium salt that reduces bone resorption.

Mechanism of action

Maintains resting membrane potential; counterbalances sodium for BP regulation.

Pathways
  • · Na/K ATPase
  • · Vascular smooth muscle relaxation

Effects on the body

Decreases
Blood pressure (in high-sodium diets)

Organ system effects

Cardiovascular

Required for normal cardiac rhythm.

Kidneys

Excreted renally — caution in CKD.

Evidence-based benefits

Lowers BP in hypertensives

Strong evidence

Reduces stroke risk

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · GI upset
Rare
    Serious
    • · Hyperkalemic arrhythmia in CKD/ACEi users

    Drug interactions

    ACE inhibitors / ARBs / spironolactone
    Hyperkalemia risk.
    severe

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid with these conditions
    • ·Chronic kidney disease
    • ·Adrenal insufficiency / Addison's
    Avoid / monitor with these medications
    • ·ACE inhibitors, ARBs, spironolactone, eplerenone, amiloride (hyperkalemia)
    • ·Trimethoprim, heparin
    • ·NSAIDs

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with

    None listed.

    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    4,700 mg/d from diet; supplements limited to 99 mg/tablet OTC in US

    Where to buy

    Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Mineral
    Potassium
    Amazon
    Wide selection · fast shipping
    Mineral
    Potassium
    iHerb
    Global delivery · curated brands
    Mineral
    Potassium
    Thorne
    Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

    Scientific evidence (9)

    Systematic reviewExamine.com Supplement Database · 2023

    Potassium: pharmacology, clinical evidence, and safety — narrative review

    Examine.com Research Team

    Curated narrative review of human and preclinical evidence for Potassium, including mechanism, typical dosing, and safety considerations.

    Key findings

    Best-supported outcome: Lowers BP in hypertensives (evidence: strong). Additional outcomes and limitations summarized in the full profile.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — Lowers BP in hypertensives

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Lowers BP in hypertensives" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "Lowers BP in hypertensives". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — Reduces stroke risk

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium Reduces stroke risk" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "Reduces stroke risk". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Potassium — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Potassium dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Potassium and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Potassium — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Potassium as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.