Product Potassium Chloride
Friday, January 27, 2012
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement take 1 capsule daily.
Contents: Potassium Chloride 183mg., Elemental Net Potassium 96mg., Horsetail Herb Extract 65mg. Manufactured with all natural fillers, binders, coatings and excipients, including: whey, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.
Free From: Sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, soy, dairy products, colorings, flavorings, or preservatives. No GMO. Gluten free.
Size: 100 capsules
Price: Varies by distributor, may include shipping fees
About Potassium Chloride: Potassium is an essential mineral that is needed for the normal functioning of the body. It is the most plentiful mineral in the cells and is also very important in the circulating blood throughout the body. Potassium is supplied by our diet, largely from fruits and vegetables, but often supplements are required to provide adequate amounts. Normal levels of potassium must be maintained within and around cells and in the circulation of blood.
Excessive sweating, caused by exposure to heat or by heavy exercise can increase the loss of potassium. Substantial amounts of potassium and chloride are also lost with severe diarrhea, excessive urination, and with the consumption of large amounts of sugar-sweetened drinks. Illnesses, especially those of the cardiovascular system and of the kidneys, that often require diuretic treatment can cause substantial urinary excretion of potassium and can result in what is called “hypokalemia.” In addition, the kidneys’ function may also be impaired, with loss of the ability to concentrate urine, which can cause further mineral loss, as well as loss of other substances. Patients receiving diuretic therapy and develop muscular weakness or loss of appetite should consult their physician for advice as to whether they require a potassium supplement.
Excessive loss of potassium can cause an acid-base disturbance that is termed “hypokalemic alkalosis.” This condition is intensified when chloride is also lost, as is usual with heavy perspiration or conditions that cause increased loss in the urine. This is a common consequence of diuretic treatment, which causes excretion of potassium and chloride, as well as sodium and water.
When hypokalemia develops, especially when chloride deficienty also exists, supplemental amounts of potassium chloride are commonly needed. Abnormal amounts of potassium in the blood (too little or too much) can give rise to abnormalities of the heart’s rhythm (called “arrhythmia”), which can be life-threatening. Your physician should be consulted as to the amount of potassium chloride you require.