Potassium Glycerophosphate

Potassium Glycerophosphate Sources

Potassium can be found in many different everyday foods and beverages, including certain types of fruit, specifically dried, certain cereals, green vegetables, all types of beans as well as milk.

Potassium Glycerophosphate Uses

Certain actions and function by the human body occur because of the presence of potassium. For example, nerve transmissions, contractions of muscles, an overall balance of bodily fluid and certain reactions of both the brain and the body need the assistance of potassium to take place.

In addition to helping treat either an extremely low level of potassium, individuals can use potassium for a number of other reasons. The most common of these include helping lower blood pressure and serving as a stroke preventative.

Potassium is proven to lower blood pressure by considerable amounts, in fact, studies have shown that the systolic reading can decrease by anywhere from two to four points and the diastolic reading by anywhere from half a point to three and a half points.

As far as helping to prevent strokes, there have been studies that show eating foods high in potassium and that are very low in total sodium can possible reduce the risk of stroke. However, there is still no concrete evidence that taking just potassium supplements will decrease the chances of having a stroke.

Potassium can also be used to lower levels of calcium, to help with certain diseases including Alzheimer’s and Meniere’s. It may also help with some more common issues such as a common allergy, migraines, heavy acne, alcohol abuse, dizziness and confusion, extreme fatigue, recurring constipation, insomnia, anger and aggression, irregular heartbeat and stress.

Potassium can either be taken as a supplement by mouth or it can be given intravenously to certain patients who require a faster dosing of the mineral or cannot take it orally.

Potassium Glycerophosphate Warnings and Side Effects

Potassium is fairly safe to take, as a normal, healthy adult can consume about 3500 mg of potassium per day. This amount is both from food and from supplements, so it is important to monitor both.

Side effects are generally mild, but can include an upset stomach, vomiting, aches and pains, excess gas, and loose bowels.

An overdose of potassium, even an accidental one, can cause major medical problems. Consumers may start feeling a burning sensation, overall weakness throughout the body, partial paralysis and mental confusion, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, erratic heartbeats and even death.

It is vital to monitor potassium intake and to speak to a physician before taking a potassium supplement or altering a diet in order to increase the amount of potassium that is entering the body.

Potassium is generally safe to take if you are pregnant or breast feeding, although in smaller quantities that a normal adult.  A woman should always speak to her OB/GYN physician before taking potassium supplements.

Individuals with difficulty passing certain foods or supplements through their body should refrain from taking potassium supplements, as should individuals with an aspirin allergy.

Most, if not all, blood pressure medications already increase the amount of potassium in the blood system. These should not be taken with potassium supplements.

Finally, anyone taking a supplement that contains any amount of Tartrazine should completely avoid any and all potassium supplements.

Potassium Glycerophosphate Dosage Recommendations

The amount of potassium that should be taken depends completely on the individual. These totals vary considerably, but generally, to prevent the potassium level from getting too low, individuals should consume about 750 mg of potassium per day.

If an individual has documented low levels of potassium, the amount per day can be increased to 1500 mg to 4000 mg per day. This is also the approximate amount to be taken by a person that is trying to lower their blood pressure.

Potassium Glycerophosphate and the FDA

Potassium Glycerophosphate is a “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) substance by the FDA.

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