Potassium regulates the heartbeat, ensures proper function of the muscles and nerves, and is vital for synthesizing protein and metabolizing carbohydrates.

Earlier the so-called Paleolithic diet delivered about 16 times more potassium than sodium. Today, most people get barely half of the recommended amount of potassium in their diets.

The average diet contains about twice as much sodium as potassium, because of the preponderance of salt hidden in processed or prepared foods.

This imbalance, is a major contributor to high blood pressure.

The adequate intake recommendation for potassium is 4,700 mg. Bananas are often touted as a good source of potassium, but other fruits (such as apricots, prunes, and orange juice) and vegetables (such as squash and potatoes) also are a good source.

Diets (DASH) that emphasize greater potassium intake can help keep blood pressure in a healthy range, compared with potassium-poor diets.

Higher potassium in diet is also associated with a lower stroke incidence.

Take home message: All should take high potassium in diet. But if you are hypertensive check before you take K if you are on ACE inhibitors or AR blockers, both can raise potassium.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA