PureBulk

Supplement Facts Volumetrics Certificate of Analysis

Purebulk offers several Potassium products. For a comparison of these options click here.

Purebulk Potassium Products

Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate (China), Potassium Citrate (Germany), Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Iodate, Potassium Iodide, Potassium L-Aspartate 25%.

What is Potassium Chloride?

Potassium chloride is used as a salt substitute and to replenish potassium in people with low blood levels of the mineral. It can be found in dietary supplements and commercial salt substitutes.

Potassium is an essential mineral needed to manage and control water balance, levels of acidity, blood pressure and neuromuscular function. This mineral is also responsible in the transmission of electrical impulses in the heart.

Potassium functions as an electrolyte in the body, transporting nutrients into cells and carrying wastes away. Because electrolytes are electrically charged (they dissolve in water to form positively charged ions), they can easily bypass cell membranes, and are thus able to transmit electrical messages from the nervous system to the heart and other muscles to ensure regular muscle rhythm and contraction.

Most fruits are excellent sources of potassium, as are beans, milk and vegetables. The amount of potassium found in an average diet ranges from about 2.5 grams to about 5.8 grams per day. The amount common in supplements, which is around 99 mg per tablet or capsule, is very low since a single banana can contain approximately 500 mg.

Abnormally low levels of potassium in the cells can cause what is known as hypokalemia, or potassium deficiency. Hypokalemia can be the result of prolonged vomiting, use of diuretics, kidney disease, anorexia, bulimia or any other condition that might cause the exit of potassium from the body faster than it can be replenished. Fatigue, muscle weakness and cramps and intestinal paralysis are among some of the symptoms, which may lead to bloating, constipation and abdominal pain.

Purity of Potassium Chloride

This pharmaceutical-grade potassium chloride contains no fillers, taste additives or anti-caking agents.

Suggested Use of of Potassium Chloride?

Potassium chloride can be used as desired as a salt substitute. As a dietary supplement, one level 1/32 teaspoon (138 milligrams potassium chloride) will yield 70 milligrams of elemental potassium. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for potassium chloride here.

WARNING: Potassium is toxic, even fatal, if taken in excess. Diabetics, persons with kidney disease, or those taking diuretics or prescription potassium supplements should consult their physician regarding the use of potassium supplements in their diet.

As always, if you have concerns or questions, consult a physician or a health care professional before taking any supplements. Before taking any kind of medicine, check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement you want to take is right for you. You may be allergic or you may have a sensitive stomach which may raise the need for special instruction as far as dosage goes.

Precautions and Potential side effects of Potassium Chloride

Salt substitutes (No Salt®, Salt Substitute®, Lite Salt®, and others) contain potassium chloride in place of sodium chloride. They are used by people on sodium-restricted diets. When used in moderation, they are a more healthful choice for many people compared with using regular table salt. However, people taking potassium chloride drug products should consult with their prescribing doctor before using salt substitutes or even eating large amounts of high-potassium foods (primarily fruit).

The following drugs can interact with potassium chloride. Tell your doctor if you are using any type of diuretic (water pill) such as bumetanide (Bumex®), chlorothiazide (Diuril®), chlorthalidone (Hygroton®, Thalitone®), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin®), furosemide (Lasix®), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril®, Hyzaar®, Lopressor®, Vasoretic®, Zestoretic®), indapamide (Lozol®), metolazone (Mykrox®, Zarxolyn®), or torsemide (Demadex®). This list is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that can interact with potassium chloride.

While potassium depletion or deficiency is a health risk, high to excessive amounts of potassium are also linked with toxicity and health risks.

High potassium intake (several hundred milligrams at one time) can produce stomach irritation. One should not attempt to achieve higher potassium levels by taking a large amount of a potassium supplement in a single serving. Concentrated potassium can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, which can be avoided if a large portion of daily potassium intake is derived from dietary sources.

Normally the kidneys remove any excess potassium from the body, so high potassium levels are not an issue for healthy individuals. If the kidneys fail to remove potassium, a condition called hyperkalemia may result. Hyperkalemia can result in cardiac dysfunction; therefore it is important that individuals with low kidney function, diabetes or heart disease be monitored closely while taking potassium.

Suggested preparation of Potassium Chloride

Potassium chloride should be taken with meals with a glass of water or other liquid. This product should not be taken on an empty stomach because of its potential for gastric irritation.

How should I store it?

You will receive this powder in a resealable bag. Store it in a cool, dry, dark location. Reseal tightly between uses.

References & Further Research

Wikipedia: Potassium Chloride



NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.