Potassium

Potassium Supplements - Buy Online

The Bodyshock.pro store offers for sale supplements with potassium for the heart, supplements with potassium and ginseng, supplements with potassium and magnesium, as well as single-ingredient supplements with potassium, among others potassium citrate, potassium chloride. Adequate potassium levels in the body regulate blood pressure, reduce free radical production, and reduce the risk of stroke. Potassium supplementation is recommended for athletes, people using preparations with a diuretic effect that increase the excretion of this element.

Potassium and sodium - key electrolytes for your body

The most important and best-known role of potassium is its close cooperation and simultaneous rivalry with sodium. These two electrolytes act in your body like two sides of the same scale, and maintaining a balance between them is absolutely crucial for the health of the circulatory system.

Think of it this way: sodium, which we consume in excess mainly in the form of salt, acts like a sponge – it retains water in the body. When there is too much of it, it increases the volume of blood circulating in the vessels, which raises arterial pressure, puts a strain on the heart, and leads to a feeling of swelling and bloating.

Potassium is a natural antidote to excess sodium. It works in two powerful ways:

1. It helps the kidneys excrete excess sodium: It acts as a signal for your kidneys to get rid of unnecessary sodium along with urine, which naturally reduces the amount of water retained and lowers blood pressure.
2. It relaxes the walls of blood vessels: Potassium helps relax the tension in the arteries, which makes blood circulate more freely and under less pressure.

Scientific research is unambiguous on this matter: a diet rich in potassium is one of the most effective non-pharmacological ways to maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. It is not about completely eliminating salt, but about restoring the golden ratio between these two elements. Potassium supplementation is a simple step to support your heart in the fight against the negative effects of the modern diet.

Potassium citrate supports the strength of your muscles

Every movement you make – from a blink of an eye to an intense sprint – is the result of a precise electrical signal that runs from the brain to the muscles. Potassium, as the main intracellular electrolyte, is the key carrier of this charge. It acts like a spark that initiates contraction and allows muscles to generate strength.

When the level of potassium in the body is too low, these electrical signals become weaker and less efficient. What does this mean for you?

• Muscle weakness and fatigue: Muscles do not receive a strong enough stimulus to work, which you feel as general weakness, lack of strength, and faster fatigue even during a small effort.
• Painful cramps and twitching: Disturbed neuromuscular communication leads to uncontrolled cramps. This is why potassium deficiency is one of the main causes of painful calf cramps at night or eyelid twitching.
• Slower regeneration: Potassium is also crucial for the transport of nutrients to muscle cells and the removal of metabolic byproducts from them. Its proper level accelerates regeneration after training and reduces the feeling of "soreness."

For physically active people and athletes, maintaining an optimal level of potassium is an absolute must. We lose it in large quantities with sweat, which is why its replenishment is essential to maintain performance, strength, and avoid painful injuries.

The effect of potassium on the nervous system

Your brain is the most complex electrical command center in the world. Every thought, memory, and feeling is the result of trillions of nerve impulses jumping between neurons. As with muscles, potassium plays the role of a key regulator of the electrical potential of cell membranes here.

A proper concentration of potassium ensures that nerve signals are transmitted quickly, efficiently, and without interruptions. When this electrolyte starts to be lacking, the entire communication network begins to malfunction. This can manifest as:

• "Brain fog": A feeling of slowed thinking, difficulty focusing, and problems with short-term memory.
• Mental fatigue and apathy: A lack of potassium can lead to a feeling of mental exhaustion, lack of motivation, and general apathy.
• Irritability and mood swings: Disturbed work of neurotransmitters can affect emotional stability.

By taking care of the proper level of potassium, you are investing in the efficiency of your most important organ. It is fuel for your concentration, memory, and good mental well-being.

What potassium dietary supplement to choose?

Choosing the right preparation and understanding the principles of safe supplementation are extremely important in the case of potassium.

Potassium chloride vs. potassium citrate: What's the difference?

There are mainly two forms of potassium available on the market. Potassium chloride is often used in medicine for quick correction of deficiencies. Potassium citrate, on the other hand, is the preferred form for daily prophylactic supplementation. Why? Because the citrate molecule is converted in the body into bicarbonate, which has the aforementioned alkalizing effect, which brings additional benefits for bones and acid-base balance.

What to combine potassium with?

Potassium works most effectively in the company of other minerals and vitamins. The most important of them is magnesium, which is essential for the proper functioning of the sodium-potassium pump – a mechanism that actively transports potassium into the cells. Supplementation with potassium alone in the case of magnesium deficiency can be ineffective. The balance with calcium and vitamin D is also important, as they work together to take care of the health of bones and muscles.

Who is potassium supplementation recommended for?

• People who follow a diet rich in salt and processed foods.
• Athletes and people who do physical work.
• People who regularly drink coffee, tea, and alcohol (diuretic effect).
• People who use diuretics or some blood pressure medications (always after consulting a doctor!).

Is supplementing with potassium citrate safe?

For healthy people, supplementation in the recommended doses (usually up to 300-500 mg of potassium ions in one serving) is completely safe. NOTE: People with kidney diseases, heart failure, or taking some blood pressure medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, sartans) or potassium-sparing diuretics MUST consult a doctor before starting supplementation. In these cases, an excess of potassium can be dangerous.

How to dose potassium?

The recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is about 3500 mg. This is the total amount from diet and any supplements. A good diet, rich in vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, spinach), fruits (bananas, avocados), and legumes, can cover this need. Supplements are used to supplement deficiencies resulting from the diet.

Products rich in potassium that are worth eating

Potassium is an important mineral for the functioning of the body, and its natural sources in the diet are the best solution to avoid deficiencies. Here are some products rich in potassium (content per serving of about 100-200g, depending on the source):

• Bananas: One medium banana contains about 400-450 mg of potassium.
• Potatoes and sweet potatoes: A baked potato is over 900 mg, and a sweet potato is about 500 mg.
• Avocados: Half an avocado provides about 500 mg.
• Spinach and other leafy greens: A cup of cooked spinach is about 800 mg.
• Beans and legumes: Half a cup of cooked beans is about 400-600 mg.
• Dried fruits (e.g., apricots, raisins): A handful is 300-500 mg.
• Oranges and other citrus fruits: One orange is about 250 mg.
• Watermelon and coconut water: A serving of watermelon is about 600 mg, and coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes.

Effects of potassium deficiency

Potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) can lead to various health problems, especially if it is chronic. The most common symptoms are:

• Weakness and muscle fatigue.
• Muscle cramps and spasms.
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations (arrhythmia).
• Constipation and digestive problems.
• Tingling or numbness in the extremities.
• In severe cases: muscle paralysis, breathing problems, or hypertension.

What not to combine with potassium?

Potassium supplements can interact with certain medications or substances, which can lead to too high a level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Here are the main things to avoid or use with caution:

• Blood pressure medications, such as ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) or angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan) – may increase potassium levels.
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone) – the combination can cause an excess of potassium.
• Other supplements or medications containing potassium (e.g., salt substitutes with potassium).
• Aldosterone antagonists (e.g., eplerenone) or histamine blockers – can enhance the effects.
• Laxatives and diuretics – can cause excessive excretion of potassium from the body.
• Large amounts of caffeine and alcohol – make it difficult to absorb and accelerate the excretion of potassium.

Side effects of taking potassium (supplements)

Potassium supplements are safe at recommended doses, but can cause side effects, especially if the dose is too high or there is no deficiency. The most common are:

• Gastrointestinal problems: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or gas.
• Excess potassium (hyperkalemia): muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, numbness.
• In rare cases: confusion, difficulty breathing, swelling, or allergic reactions (rash, itching).
• In people with kidney disease: an increased risk of heart problems or heart attack.

What dietary supplements should potassium be combined with?

• Magnesium - a dynamic duo that supports the functioning of the muscular and nervous systems. Magnesium helps transport potassium into cells, which in turn improves nerve conduction and muscle contraction.
• Calcium - The balance between potassium and calcium is crucial for bone health. Potassium helps prevent the loss of calcium from bones, which supports their density and strength.
• Sodium - although sodium should be avoided in excess, its appropriate proportions with potassium are crucial to maintaining electrolyte balance in the body.
• Vitamin D - supports the absorption of calcium and affects the proper functioning of muscles. The combination of potassium and vitamin D can support bone and muscle health while improving mood and immune function.
• Vitamin B6 - plays a role in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and also supports the production of neurotransmitters.