Potassium - Sodium Imbalances: Impact on High Blood Pressure

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Potassium - Sodium Imbalances: Their Impact on High Blood Pressure

JoAnn Guest

Feb 25, 2005 22:00 PST

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Current “Healthy” Salt Recommendations Still Too High

By Maureen Williams, ND

 

Healthnotes Newswire (May 20, 2004)—A recent review of research shows

that the recommended amount of salt in the diet may not lower risk of

high blood pressure (hypertension), heart attack, and stroke as much as

previously thought, according to Hypertension (2003;42:1093–9).

This review suggests that more drastic salt reductions may be needed to

protect people from these health risks.

 

Sodium, a mineral nutrient found in nearly all foods, exists in a

balance with potassium that is critical for the normal functioning of

every living cell.

 

Eating unprocessed fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish provides all the

sodium the body needs (about 500 mg a day). Most

people, however, get far more than they need due to the salt (sodium

chloride) added during the processing or cooking of foods, and at the

table. In fact, added salt is responsible for an estimated 95% of our

sodium consumption.

 

Excessive sodium intake unfavorably shifts the potassium-to-sodium

balance and can lead to hypertension.

 

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease worldwide and

increases the risk of suffering a

heart attack or stroke. The average daily intake of salt varies in

different parts of the world from 6 to 18 grams. The World Health

Organization recommends restricting daily salt intake to 5 grams or

less, and authorities in the United States recommend 6 grams or less.

Studies have shown that salt restriction lowers blood pressure, and

suggest that blood pressure will continue to drop as salt intake

" diminishes " .

 

The new review of the research on salt intake and blood pressure

analyzed the results from 28 controlled studies involving a total of

2,954 people.

Only studies that lasted at least four weeks and in which

daily salt intake was reduced by at least 2.4 grams were included. The

combined results were used to calculate the amount that blood pressure

would be expected to drop for any given reduction in salt intake. For

example, this analysis predicted that a 3-gram reduction in daily salt

intake would reduce systolic blood pressure (the upper number in a blood

pressure reading) by 3.6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom

number in a blood pressure reading) by 1.9 mm Hg in people with

hypertension. It was predicted that a 6-gram reduction in daily salt

intake would lower systolic and diastolic pressures by 7.1 and 3.9 mm

Hg, respectively, and a 9-gram reduction would lower systolic and

diastolic pressures by 10.7 and 5.8 mm Hg, respectively, in people with

hypertension.

 

In people with normal blood pressure, the predicted trend

was similar but less pronounced.

 

Two of the controlled studies comparing the effects of different levels

of salt intake reduction were analyzed separately. These studies found a

similar but more pronounced trend: they predicted that 3-, 6-, and

9-gram reductions in daily salt intake would lower systolic/diastolic

pressures by 5.4/3.0, 10.6/6.0, and 16.3/9.1 mm Hg, respectively, in

people with hypertension.

 

The results of this review suggest that large reductions in salt intake

might indeed lower blood pressure enough to significantly reduce the

risk of heart attack and stroke, but that current dietary

recommendations may not be low enough. Large and long-term studies

examining the real effect of very low salt intake on blood pressure and

incidence of heart attack and stroke are needed. Public health

recommendations should be adjusted based on the findings of such

studies.

 

Maureen Williams, ND, received her bachelor’s degree from the University

of Pennsylvania and her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr

University in Seattle, WA. She has a private practice in Quechee, VT,

and does extensive work with traditional herbal medicine in Guatemala

and Honduras. Dr. Williams is a regular contributor to Healthnotes

Newswire.

 

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A growing body of evidence indicates that low levels of potassium are

associated with high blood pressure and therefore deserve more

attention! This association may be especially strong when the sodium to

potassium ratio is especially high.

 

Some researchers feel that in some cases, low potassium may play a

more significant role in hypertension than high sodium does.

In several studies, for instance, potassium supplementation

significantly lowered blood pressure without sodium restriction.

 

As some researchers have pointed out, diets restricted in calories

and cholesterol are often recommended to people with cardiovascular

disease. It is unfortunate that such diets also tend to reduce nutrients

such as calcium and potassium, which may be essential for " maintaining "

normal blood pressure.

 

Potassium may prove to be of value to the cardiovascular system in

other ways as well.

 

In one animal study, rats were given stroke-inducing diets.

The group that was supplemented with potassium suffered a 2 percent rate

of fatal strokes, as compared with the 83 percent rate of the

unsupplemented group. In another animal study, potassium supplementation

was able to protect against kidney damage resulting from hypertension.

 

Potassium is essential for maintaining the " fluid balance " in our

cells, and is required for the enzymatic reactions taking place

within them.

Potassium is used to convert Glucose into Glycogen for storage and

later release. It is also used for nerve transmission, muscle

contraction, hormone secretion and other functions.

 

 

Potassium deficiency symptoms include nausea and vomiting, which can

lead to potassium losses, listlessness, feelings of apprehension,

muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and cramps, tachycardia, (rapid

heartbeat) and in extreme cases, heart failure!

 

Potassium deficiency can result from severe malnutrition,

alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, vomiting or diarrhea or from illnesses

that seriously interfere with appetite.

 

There is no Reference Daily Intake for potassium, but it has been

estimated that the average American Diet contains from 2 to 6 grams

per day.

 

Potassium may be depleted following severe tissue injury due to

surgery, or burns, and during prolonged fevers. The excessive use of

steroids, laxatives, and some diuretics also encourages potassium

" loss " .

If a person already has heart disease, low potassium can worsen the

picture!

 

In the body potassium must exist in balance with sodium.

 

Although sodium may be an important dietary determinant of blood

pressure, variations in the potassium to sodium ratio

affect blood pressure under certain circumstances.

 

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High Potassium Diets reduce the Risk of Stroke

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Food Sources

 

Potassium is found in a wide range of foods. Organic meat and cold-water

fish are good sources. Legumes, fruits, vegetables,and organic

unprocessed whole grains are also respectable sources.

 

People who are taking diuretics for the treatment of high blood

pressure are frequently advised to eat fruits such as bananas, oranges

and organic tomatoes and potatoes for their potassium content.

 

However, the amount of potassium in these foods is minimal compared with

the amount excreted in urine as a result of diuretic use!!

 

Many physicians often prescribe high-dose potassium supplements for

these patients. However it is doubtful that the potassium is

sufficiently replaced, considering the amounts that are

flushed out of the body with these powerful drugs!

 

Bear in mind, too, that potassium is lost through cooking, although

the amounts of potassium lost varies with the cooking method

used. A boiled potato may have lost up to 50 percent of its original

potassium content. A steamed potato, only 3 to 6 percent.

 

Since potassium is so widely available in fresh foods, most people do

not require a potassium supplement. Rather, most people should be

advised to reduce sodium intake so that a sodium-to-potassium ratio

of 1 to 1 is achieved

 

If however, you wish to take a supplement, the Optimum Daily Intake of

potassium is:

99-300 mgs for men and women.

Your physician may suggest higher levels of potassium if you are

taking certain diuretics, or if you are trying to lower your blood

pressure. Keep in mind though, that high amounts of this nutrient should

be taken only under professional guidance. If you have a medical

condition, please consult your physician before taking supplements.

 

Potassium toxicity is seen when daily intakes exceed 18 grams, an

amount that is unlikely to be ingested through foods.

Toxicity usually only occurs with the uneducated use of supplements, or

where there is acute kidney failure.

 

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Botanicals.html

 

 

Potassium is found in a wide range of foods.

Organic meat and cold-water fish are good sources. Legumes, fruits,

vegetables,and organic whole grains are also respectable sources.

 

People who are taking diuretics for the treatment of high blood

pressure are frequently advised to eat fruits such as bananas, oranges

and organic tomatoes for their potassium content.

 

However, the amount of potassium in these foods is

minimal compared with the amount " excreted " in urine as a result of

diuretic use!

 

It would take an enormous amount of bananas per day to provide the

recommended amount of potassium for a patient taking diuretics!

 

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Botanicals.html

 

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How do I know if I am getting enough potassium?

 

Since potassium is essential for the conversion of blood sugar into

glycogen - (the storage form of blood sugar found in the muscles and

liver), a potassium deficiency will usually produce great fatigue and

muscle weakness as the initial symptoms. Potassium deficiency is also

characterized by mental confusion, irritability, and heart disturbances.

 

 

Dietary potassium deficiency is typically caused by a diet low in

fresh fruits and vegetables and high in sodium.

 

Even more common than dietary potassium deficiency is deficiency due

to excessive " fluid loss " (sweating, diarrhea or urination) or the use

of diuretics, laxatives, aspirin, and other drugs.

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Here's what you need to know about potassium — how much you need,

what it does for your body, good food sources, cautions and side

effects.

 

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):

RDAs have not been established and potassium deficiency is rare, except

under certain circumstances.

 

Food sources include: Citrus fruits (such as oranges), apples,

bananas,apricots, cantaloupe, potatoes (especially with skin), organic

tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, beans and peas.

 

What it does: Potassium is one of the minerals responsible for

maintaining the " electrical stability " of the cells of your heart and

nervous system. It is also an electrolyte.

Potassium is important for cell and muscle growth, and it plays a major

role in maintaining normal fluid balance.

 

What the research says: Most people get all the potassium they need

from eating a balanced diet. Potassium deficiency is rare, but your

doctor may recommend potassium supplements if you don't have enough due

to a medical condition or certain medications.

 

For example, some high blood pressure medications (diuretics) increase

urination, which could lead to a potassium deficiency.

 

Some studies indicate that low potassium may contribute to high blood

pressure and that increasing your potassium intake through diet may

prevent or help treat hypertension. Some studies

indicate that increased potassium intake is linked with a lower risk

of stroke.

 

More studies are needed to confirm these findings and to

determine the benefits and risks of potassium supplements.

 

Related Information:

 

Using vitamin and mineral supplements wisely

 

Vitamin A (retinol)

Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)

Vitamin B-12 (cobalamin)

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin D (calciferol)

Vitamin E (tocopherol)

Beta carotene

Calcium

Folic acid/folate (vitamin B-9)

Iron

Magnesium

Niacin (vitamin B-3)

Potassium

Selenium

Zinc

 

 

 

 

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(MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be

reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. " Mayo, " " Mayo Clinic, "

" MayoClinic.com, " " Mayo Clinic Health Information, " " Reliable

information for a healthier life " and the triple-shield Mayo logo

are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

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Bear in mind that potassium is lost through cooking, although

the amount of potassium lost varies according to the cooking method

used.

A boiled potato may have lost up to 50 percent of its original

potassium content. A steamed potato, only 3 to 6 percent.

 

 

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