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Potassium

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Potassium for Severe Muscle & Body Aches

Bethany (San Diego, CA) on 03/13/2022
5 out of 5 stars

Please post to both Potassium and COVID recovery pages.

In July 2021 my family and I came down with Covid. My symptoms were severe headache, severe fatigue and entire body severe muscle aches and body aches. None of us lost smell or taste but I also developed a different symptom than what I have read about: I got a disgusting nasty taste in my mouth that no amount of tooth brushing or anything would remove. It made coffee, water and any food taste really gross. As a result I stopped eating much and stopped drinking much, except forcing myself to eat and drink a little bit to stay alive.

My husband and two teenagers all recovered within a few days & our 4 year old never got it, however I continued to be in constant intense pain with muscle & body aches all over. I also had lost my appetite and had (sorry TMI) diarrhea.

After a week and a half I was still in agony & my husband asked why haven't I gotten better? I was wondering the same thing so I looked up online “severe muscle aches and body aches” and out popped Low Potassium & your article explained why eating a banana doesn't afford immediate potassium. I realized that all the diarrhea probably exasperated the issue of low potassium.

So I sent someone to the store as I was no way ready to travel and the potassium couldn't arrive fast enough!

I took a few potassium pills (sorry I don't remember the exact number) and within an hour or so I felt SO much better! I think I took 2-4 potassium pills at 99mg for a few days.

I continued with then potassium supplements until I felt better . Also ate some bananas for good measure as I figured it couldn't hurt.

Can Baking Soda Reduce High Potassium Levels?

Angie (Concord, Nc) on 03/09/2013

Hi earth clinic friends, I had my potassium levels checked twice in the last two weeks it's remained the same - 5.5. I am about to have elective surgery in one week. The doctor has given the green light but, I was wondering if I could use baking soda to reduce my level.

I so love this site even though a lot of it goes over my head. I wish smartness was contagious.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Potassium

Betty (Umatilla, Fl) on 01/12/2013

I am 55 yrs old and have high potassium (5.6). Will taking Apple Cider Vinegar make my potassium even higher? Is it safe for me?

Potassium/ Salt Balance in Our Bodies

Alfred (Bangkok, Thailand) on 10/21/2010

Our cells are little Generators. We must keep them healthy.. Easy to take care of with Balanced diet.. We must keep the Potassium/salt balance in our body Healthy.. If that is healthy we stay healthy.. But what happens WE EAT SALT.. NOT healthy food.. That is our challenge.. If we stay away from regular salt.. Much easier to stay healthy. Please note excerpt from book by c. Samuel west #25. We have concerns the effect of poisons in our body we must stay away from Salt, simple sugar, fats, and High cholesterol foods. MUST increase the consumption of fruits, vegatables and whole grains. Sprout the seeds and grains(Rejuvelac) they become a better source of minerals and nutrients for the Cells.. Healthy Cells we stay healthy..

Please note.. The minute the cell has more Salt than Potasium our bones in our back start to fall apart and we have back problems.. Please, Please eliminate regular salt from your diet, were ever it is.. In fast food, in soy sauce, in garlic salt, in container of salt.. We can live with out salt. Its Up to You.. Put only health stufff in your body. Alfred

Re: Salt Depletes Potassium

Alfred (Bangkok, Thailand) on 04/20/2010

Did You Know Our Cells in Our Body are Little Electrical Cells?

Yes, our cells in our body are little electrical cells..Simple explanation .. is Mostly Potasium and a little Salt.

If you eat a lot of fast food and junk food, which is Loaded with Salt.. your killing your-self according to the USA Government finding.. An Article written in 1977.Just push into the computor..USA 1977 findings on excess Salt in our Diet.

Sooo what happens the Salt pushes the Potassium out of our cells and kills the cell.. then we get sick, very sick.
So Please stay away from Salt and take ACV Daily

Stay healthy
Alfred

Apple Cider Vinegar as a Source of Potassium

Alfred (Bangkok, Thailand) on 04/20/2010

My Opinion.. I Discovered ACV in 1994 for my personal use.. I have taken it steady and have suggested that my friends should take.

MY CONCLUSION.. MOST PEOPLE ARE LOW ON POTASSIUM..HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOUR DOCTOR WHEN YOU TAKE A BLOOD TEST.. TO PLEASE CHECK YOUR POTASIUM LEVEL.. I DO NOT THINK YOUR DOCTOR WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT.. NORMAL LEVEL IS 3-5.. IF YOUR LEVEL IS LOWER THAN 3.. YOUR SICK.

THE REASON YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU TAKE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR... ITS LOADED WITH POTASSIUM.

STAY WELL MY FRIENDS
ALFRED

EC: re: Potassium content of Apple Cider Vinegar

Bragg's ACV has only 11 mg of potassium per teaspoonÃÂ (http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html)...ÃÂ quite a negligible quantity. A banana, on the other hand,ÃÂ contains at least 450 mg of potassium. If you're interested in increasing potassium, bananas are a better way to go!

Cream of Tartar for Potassium Levels

Mortie (Pahrump, Nv) on 10/18/2009

For your minimum daily requirement of potassium take one level teaspoon of CREAM of TARTER - ABOUT 5 GRAMS as compared to 99 milligrams in a tablet. You will have to mix it in your favorite soda to cut the very tart taste. You would have to take 50.5 tablets to obtain the same amount of potassium.

EC: Has anyone used cream of tartar medicinally? It's an old time remedy and we're discovering interesting information while researching it right now. Only side effect noted is gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea) if too much consumed in one day.

http://chestofbooks.com/health/materia-medica-drugs/Treatise-Therapeutics-Pharmacology-Materia-Medica-Vol2/IV-Bitartrate-Of-Potassa-Cream-of-Tartar-Crystals-of-Tart.html

Potassium Allergies

Rascal (Livermore, Ca) on 10/06/2009

I've just been diagnosed with allergies to several types of potassium......bicarbonate, carbonate, casenate and sorbate. Has anyone had experience with this or know why this would be? It seems to be in everything.

Potassium for Low Carb Diet, Lupus

Abby (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) on 04/13/2009
5 out of 5 stars

Several years ago I started low carbing. I felt very sick at first with the huge water loss so I started taking potassium supplements and it fixed the problem. It also helped with lupus symptoms. Since then, I've been taking 6 99mg tabs - 2 tabs 3 times a day. On low carb, I eat virtually no fruits but many vegs. but when I lower the amount of potassium I don't feel as good and I get low back pain. Is this a dangerous amount of potassium? I have had blood tests on this amount and they've been normal. Also, I just started to add EVCO and ACV to my diet. Will these help me to get off the potassium supplements? If so, how should I taper the pills? Thanks for any advice.

Tracy (Slc, USA) on 04/28/2008
5 out of 5 stars

Potassium supplements stop the shakes and seizures in arms and upper body and charlie horse in the legs. I had a stomache staple at 16. 27 years ago. one side effect is the crawlies and the shakes then seizures the potassium helps stop them when they start as soon as I take them. but I take 99mg about 5-7 tablets depending on when it starts or I try to take twice a day sometimes I have to tke 4-7 times a day to help if i had any caffiene. which i try not to have. there is risks but to stop the this it is worth it.good side effects no high blood pressure no depression.the chemical in brain which controls this is potassium based. bad side effects if to much straight thru you like interstinal flu.so watch how much you take.

Anonymous (USA) on 03/01/2004
5 out of 5 stars

Eating a banana every day may help to avoid eye dryness -- the main cause of irritation, redness and itch. Bananas are rich in potassium, which plays a role in salt balance and the release of fluid in your cells.

Janet (Detriot, MI) on 03/01/2004
5 out of 5 stars

Here is a home remedy for fatigue.
Cut an unpeeled potato in slices in the evening and leave the pieces in water overnight. The juice, drunk in the morning, is rich in potassium. I read in a book that potassium deficiencies are common in people with fatigue.

Deirdre (Los Angeles) on 03/01/2004
5 out of 5 stars

I take potassium supplements every so often because I do so much martial arts training and my muscles are often severely fatigued. I find I am less tired the day after an intense workout when I take a potassium supplement along with a Calcium/Magnesium/Phosphorous liquid combo. I also take potassium when I am sick as it dries up excess mucous in the body. I have low blood pressure to begin with so I have to be careful not to overdo the potassium supplementation! I can tell it lowers my blood pressure somewhat..

Ted (bangkok, Thailand) on 08/03/2006

Be easy on potassium, people do get side effects if taken too much and may have difficulty of breathing. If taken too much potassium, a simple antidote is Salt. How to know if you take too much potassium? Too much sweating, uncomfortableness, irregular breathing, sometimes diarrhea. On overdose of potassium, immediately take 1 -2 teaspoon of sea salt in a half glass of water, the effect will be reduced within minutes. I know, I did it to myself as part of the experiment and almost killed myself in the process! Had to do it you know, so I will know what to do when it DOES happen, I will be prepared!

Brenda (Lodgepole, Nebraska) on 06/24/2007
5 out of 5 stars

I would caution readers that potassium effects the heart. Too much potassium can cause the heart to stop or beat to fast. Also, potassium and salt are a delicate balanced system that is used to keep the body's cellular pressures balanced. Not enough potassium may cause water retention due to the unbalanced increase of sodium in the body.

If one is going to take an OTC potassium supplement, make sure never to go over the recommend allowance. However, the best place to get potassium is from one food sources which provide other nutrients that work with each other to the bodies benefit. Also, some high blood pressure medications are potassium sensitive.

As for high blood pressure...that is the pressure on the arterial walls. The arteries have lost their elasticity and the pressure can cause the arteries to pop, especially the delicate small sections in the brain. Most high blood pressure medication deplete potassium. Those finding they are in the hypertension group should read, read, read and not believe product propaganda of a product. Check out peer reviewed documents on subject matter.

Dehydration will occur even if one does not take potassium. Dehydration is a loss of water and electrolytes, the + (positive) and - (negative) balance of the cells. Potassium and sodium keep the pressure of the cellular walls balanced.

I have never run across anything documented that connects potassium and mucus together. Can you provide references to this statement?

Kathy (Stratton, CO) on 01/17/2007
5 out of 5 stars

Why I take a potassium supplement: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2006. Because of the chemotherapy and lack of appetite my potassium dropped to a critical level of 2.7. As I got stronger and finished with the treatments my level has gone up to a 4.0. I also have high blood pressure, had to change this medication.

Stoney (Wallaceburg, Ontario Canada) on 01/06/2008
5 out of 5 stars

Hi Everyone, I've had the pleasure of suffering with gout for over 50 years. When I used to play rugby, after every game, both of my big toes felt like they were on fire. As you all have, I tried every remedy I could, trying to stay away from Allopurinol as much as possible. Finally, I came across a magic bullet - potassium supplements. I tend to be a bit of a carnivore so my diet lacks the proper levels of potassium. I was reading an article about arthritis (another legacy of 30 years of rugby) and they mentioned that low potassium levels contributed to the problem and in passing mentioned that potassium also appeared to dissolve Uric crystals. The next time I had an attack, I started taking potassium supplements and IT WORKED. Within a day, the pain was reduced to a dull roar and within 2 it was gone completely.What a relief! I can't recommend this approach enough. Good Luck. Stoney