Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral macronutrient. It is important in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, and plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve impulses.

Deficiencies: With the exception of starvation, low or declining total body potassium is not a result of insufficient dietary intake but the outcome of a catabolic, protein wasting condition which reduces the total cell mass of the body. Hypokalemia (low serum potassium) is the result of excessive loss of potassium in the urine, usually as a result of use of diuretic agents to treat hypertension. Hypokalemia may result in cardiac failure.

Food sources: Eating a variety of foods that contain potassium is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements. The best food sources are fruits, vegetables, and juices, including broccoli, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, soybeans, avocados, apricots, pomegranates, parsnips, and turnips. Potassium also is present in meats and cereals.

2000-Calorie Diet Recommendations

Shown below are the reference numbers used to compute the Daily Value percentages that appear on the Nutrition Facts labels on foods sold in the U.S. These numbers are meant to approximate the nutrients needed for the average person consuming 2000 calories per day.

Click any of the vitamin or nutrient names below to learn more about the importance of each element, and to see detailed dietary allowances for specific population groups.

***Daily Value recommendations are based on a 2000-calorie diet. Recommendations for individuals will vary depending on gender, age, weight, and other factors.