The body uses potassium to do many things, from maintaining fluid balance to maintaining brain and heart function. Although there are a variety of food sources rich in potassium, in general most people receive only half of the recommended daily intake of potassium. You can treat low potassium levels in the blood by understanding the symptoms of potassium deficiency and knowing the safest ways to increase your potassium intake.
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Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Signs of Potassium Deficiency
Step 1. Look for signs of potassium deficiency
Too much or too little potassium in the blood can cause health complications. A low level of potassium in the blood is called hypokalemia. The effects of hypokalemia include muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, and a slight increase in blood pressure. Other symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasm
- Tingling and numbness
Step 2. Look for common causes of low potassium levels
Several common and uncommon causes related to health can contribute to low potassium levels. Potassium levels can drop due to:
- Use of antibiotics
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive use of laxatives
- Chronic kidney disease
- Use of diuretic drugs (water pills) to treat heart failure and high blood pressure
- Eating disorders
- Low magnesium levels
Step 3. Watch for signs of hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is a level of potassium that is too high in the blood. This condition usually has few symptoms, but you may experience nausea, a weak or irregular pulse, or a slow heart rate that can lead to fainting. If you notice that one or more of these symptoms are related to a diet to increase potassium, you should see a doctor immediately.
The kidneys usually help get rid of excess potassium through urine. This makes hyperkalemia more common in people with kidney disease and other conditions, people with Addison's disease, people taking blood pressure medications, people with hemolytic anemia, and people with certain tumors
Method 2 of 3: Adding More Potassium in the Diet
Step 1. See a doctor
If you suspect your potassium level is low, you should see your doctor before using supplements or other methods to increase your potassium intake. If you don't follow a standard diet, you may end up consuming too much potassium and eventually there will be too much potassium in your daily diet. Experts recommend 4,700 mg of potassium a day in a balanced diet. The doctor will run appropriate blood tests to determine your actual potassium level, and will recommend the appropriate course of action for you based on the test results.
- In the majority of cases, your treatment involves adding potassium-rich foods to your diet.
- Follow the doctor's advice as well as possible to avoid excessive potassium consumption.
Step 2. Allow potassium levels to return to normal naturally
If you've recently had a condition that causes low potassium levels-such as diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating from an illness, or if you've been taking short-acting prescription antibiotics-your potassium levels will likely return to normal once you've recovered. Your doctor will recommend some potassium-rich foods until you recover, not potassium supplements.
Step 3. Add dairy products to your diet
Dairy products provide the highest source of potassium you can find in a single meal. For example, one glass of yogurt contains approximately 580 mg of potassium. One glass of nonfat milk contains up to 380 mg of potassium.
- Opt for lean options whenever possible because too many full-fat dairy products will drastically increase your daily calorie intake.
- Do not choose dairy products if you are lactose intolerant. You can still get potassium from other sources.
Step 4. Eat more high-potassium fruits
There are several types of fruit that are good sources of potassium. However, make sure you choose a fruit rich in potassium because not all fruits have the same content. Potassium-rich fruits include:
- 420 mg in a medium banana
- 390 mg in half a papaya
- 380 mg in three medium apricots
- 370 mg in a large piece (175 grams) of cantaloupe
- 360 mg in 200 ml orange juice
- 270 mg in 40 grams of raisins
- 250 mg in 200 grams of strawberries
Step 5. Add more high-potassium vegetables
Fruits are just one of the potassium-rich food options. You can also get lots of potassium in some vegetables. Some of the best varieties are:
- 930 mg in a medium baked potato with skin on (610 mg without skin)
- 690 mg in a large sweet potato
- 520 mg in 200 ml carrot juice
- 450 mg in 225 grams of winter squash
- 420 mg in 125 grams of spinach
- 420 mg in 200 ml of tomato juice (300 mg in one large tomato)
- 310 mg in one celery stick
- 280 mg in 100 grams of broccoli
- 270 mg in 75 grams of beet sugar
Step 6. Add more potassium rich meat
While not as much as other options, you can still get a decent amount of potassium in some types of meat. The amount of potassium in one serving of 85 grams of meat is:
- 380 mg in chicken meat
- 290 mg in beef
- 260 mg in lamb
- 250 mg in dark turkey
Step 7. Eat seafood which is a high source of potassium
Fish is also a source of potassium. For one serving of 85 grams of fish, you can get:
- 480 mg in canned salmon or tuna
- Average 370 mg in most varieties of fish
Step 8. Add high-potassium nuts and legumes
There are many varieties of beans and legumes that are also great sources of potassium. In addition, this food ingredient is also a source of protein, fiber, and other minerals. The options include:
- 400 mg in 85 grams of cooked pinto beans
- 370 mg in 100 grams of cooked lentils
- 340 mg in 50 grams of nuts
- 240 mg in 35 grams of sunflower seeds
- 210 mg in 2 tbsp. peanut butter
Step 9. Use molasses in the recipe
While not an ingredient people use frequently (and not a known source of the nutrient), molasses contains 500 mg of potassium in every 1 tbsp. Pour molasses into yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies to add potassium intake to regular meals.
Step 10. Know what foods are low in potassium
In addition to focusing on foods high in potassium, you should also be aware of foods that are low in potassium. Some of these options are still very healthy, but if your focus is on increasing your potassium levels, these foods are not a good choice. Foods that are low in potassium include:
- 0 mg in black olives (also a very high source of sodium)
- 3 mg in 1 tbsp. butter
- 20-30 mg in 30 grams of cheese
- 45 mg in 85 grams of bacon (also a very high source of sodium)
- 50 mg in 50 grams of blueberries
- 55 mg in one egg
- 70 mg in one slice of bread
- 70 mg in ten medium grapes
- 80 mg in 150 grams of pasta
- 90 mg in 125 grams of applesauce
- 100 mg in 50 grams of corn
Method 3 of 3: Using Medical Treatment
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about potassium replacement therapy
One of the biggest risks associated with low potassium levels is arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Older adults and people with heart disease have a higher risk of arrhythmias. If your doctor suspects that your potassium level is low, you will be ordered to undergo tests to determine if there are other conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, Cushing's syndrome, and hypercalcemia, and then the doctor will confirm the diagnosis.
- The doctor will do blood tests to check the levels of electrolytes, glucose, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
- If you are on medication for your heart, such as digitalis to strengthen your heart, your doctor will check your digoxin levels.
- Your doctor may also order an electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect irregular heartbeats.
Step 2. Get on potassium replacement therapy
If your doctor confirms that you have very low potassium levels, have an arrhythmia, or have other severe symptoms, your doctor will give you potassium intravenously (IV). Potassium will be given very slowly under the supervision of a doctor to ensure there is no effect on the heart.
IV therapy may be painful at the injection site
Step 3. Take potassium in pill or liquid form
Most potassium supplements will be obtained orally in pill, liquid, or powder form. There are many multivitamins that also contain potassium. Make sure you adhere to the dose prescribed by the doctor so as not to overdo it or under-do it. This will ensure healthy and consistent blood potassium levels.
- Since it is possible that your diet contains too much potassium, you should consult your doctor before supplementing it with daily supplements. Usually you will need a blood test to determine how much extra potassium you actually need in your diet.
- Usually, doctors will prescribe potassium supplements at the same time as other medications that can reduce potassium levels. If your doctor prescribes this kind of medication, he or she will recommend a potassium supplement even if your potassium level is currently within the normal range.
Step 4. Follow up with the doctor
Doctors need to run follow-up tests, check potassium levels, and check if the treatment given is working. Follow-up is done two to three days after the initial treatment.
