Potassium
What is Potassium?
Potassium is considered one of the most abundant minerals in the body. It is essential for the proper function of the muscles and nerves and is vital for the regulation of fluid balance and blood pressure [1,2].
Many whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, and beans contain the highest amounts of dietary potassium [1].
People in the United States have been shown to consume less potassium than the recommended amount [3].
Inadequate intake of potassium is associated with adverse health effects including, increased blood pressure, kidney stone risk, and calcium loss [1].
Potassium is primarily absorbed in the small intestine and excreted in the urine [1].
Studies show that children with autism consume fewer potassium-rich foods and have a greater risk for potassium deficiency than typically developing children [4].
Food Sources of Potassium
Potassium is available in a wide variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables [1]. Other rich sources of potassium include [1]:
Recommended Intake
There is not enough evidence to establish a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for potassium. Instead, experts have established Adequate Intakes (AIs) - the amount assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy - for all ages based on median intakes in healthy individuals [1].
Males
0-6 months: 400 mg
7-12 months: 860 mg
1-3 years: 2,000 mg
4-8 years: 2,300 mg
9-13 years: 2,500 mg
14-18 years: 3,000 mg
19+ years: 3,400 mg
Females
0-6 months: 400 mg
7-12 months: 860 mg
1-3 years: 2,000 mg
4-8 years: 2,300 mg
9-13 years: 2,300 mg
14-18 years: 2,300 mg
19+ years: 2,600 mg
Pregnancy
14-18 years: 2,600 mg
19-50 years: 2,900 mg
Lactation
14-18 years: 2,500 mg
19-50 years: 2,800 mg
Deficiency
Because potassium is abundant in many foods it is uncommon for deficiency to result from low food intake alone. However, low dietary intake in combination with increased fluid loss through diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting or excessive sweating can result in deficiency, known as hypokalemia [1].
Symptoms of deficiency may include [2]:
Fatigue
Muscle cramps or weakness
Abdominal pain
Individuals at increased risk for potassium inadequacy include [1]:
Those with inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
People who take certain medications, such as diuretics and laxatives
Individuals who regularly consume non-nutritive substances, like clay, such as those with pica
Toxicity
In individuals with normal kidney function, no adverse effects of high doses of dietary potassium have been reported. However, those with chronic kidney disease or who have an impaired ability to excrete potassium through the urine may be at risk of developing hyperkalemia, or high potassium concentrations in the body.
Hyperkalemia takes place when potassium intake exceeds the ability of the kidneys to excrete it from the body. Symptoms of hyperkalemia may include: muscle weakness, heart palpitations, and tingling of the hands and feet [5].
Because of its low potential for toxicity in healthy individuals, no tolerable upper limit has been established [1].
Supplements
Potassium is available in many supplemental forms, including potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium phosphate, potassium aspartate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium gluconate. It can also be found in some multivitamin/mineral or electrolyte supplements in limited amounts or just as potassium [1]. The supplements will tell you the amount and the percentage of each on the supplement facts label.
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.
Potassium & Autism in the Research
Low Intake in Autism
Children with autism eat fewer fruits, vegetables, and proteins and have a significantly lower daily intake of dietary potassium compared to typically developing children [4].
Low muscle tone (hypotonia) is associated with low levels of potassium in children with autism [6].
Decreased dietary intake of potassium was found in children with autism with repetitive eating patterns [7].
Even with supplementation, children with autism are still at risk of not meeting adequate intake needs for potassium [8].
Bone Health
Adequate consumption of dietary potassium from fruits and vegetables may lead to improved bone mineral density [9].
Sleep
Potassium supplementation may improve sleep quality [10]. It’s important to note that potassium is not the only factor in sleep quality, and there are more studied supplements and approaches that benefit sleep. See the Sleep Issues note for more.
-
[1] National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Potassium. National Institutes of Health; 2021. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/
[2] The Nutrition Source. Vitamin E. Harvard School of Public Health; Available from: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/potassium/
[3] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. What We Eat in America, 2013-2014. Available from: https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-bhnrc/beltsville-human-nutrition-research-center/food-surveys-research-group/docs/wweia-data-tables/
[4] Malhi P, Venkatesh L, Bharti B, Singhi P. Feeding problems and nutrient intake in children with and without autism: a comparative study. Indian J Pediatr. 2017;84(4):283-288.
[5] Micronutrient Information Center. Potassium. Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute; 2001. Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/potassium#toxicity
[6] Adams JB, Holloway CE, George F, Quig D. Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of arizona children with autism and associated conditions, and their mothers. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2006;110(3):193-209.
[7] Berding K, Donovan SM. Diet can impact microbiota composition in children with autism spectrum disorder. Front Neurosci. 2018;12.
[8] Stewart PA, Hyman SL, Schmidt BL, et al. Dietary supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorders: common, insufficient, and excessive. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2015;115(8):1237-1248.
[9] Hanley DA, Whiting SJ. Does a high dietary acid content cause bone loss, and can bone loss be prevented with an alkaline diet? J Clin Densitom. 2013;16(4):420-425.[10] Drennan MD, Kripke DF, Klemfuss HA, Moore JD. Potassium affects actigraph-identified sleep. Sleep. 1991;14(4):357-360.
Authors
Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT
Sheila Nguyen, OUHSC Dietetic Intern
Laura Flournoy, Dietetic Intern
