How to Choose the Best Potassium Supplements

Potassium is a specific type of mineral that is also classified as an electrolyte (others include sodium, calcium, and magnesium). Electrolytes differ significantly from normal essential minerals in that they actually contain an electric charge, and as such have the capacity to control the small amount of electrical activity that occurs within the human body.

This includes interacting with the electrical impulse of the heart, the nervous impulses required to create a muscular contraction, and the neural impulses essential for brain function.

Interestingly, electrolytes have also been demonstrated to impact our hydration levels, while also playing important roles in the maintenance of general muscle function.

With all this in mind, potassium specifically has been shown to play number of critical roles within the human body. These include maintaining the normal function of the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Additionally, potassium is also required to breakdown fats and carbohydrates so that they can be metabolised for energy within the body.

Taking all of this into consideration, those individuals with low potassium levels have been shown to be at an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, while also demonstrating much greater likelihood of developing high blood pressure. This often comes with muscle fatigue, low energy levels, and spontaneous muscle cramping.

Why should I supplement with potassium?

If we take second to think about how important potassium truly is in terms of maintaining the optimal function of the human body, it should quickly become apparent as to why ensuring we have adequate potassium available within the body is a good thing.

Interestingly, the supplementation of potassium has been shown to have a host of additional benefits to the human body – some of which go well beyond maintaining normal health and function.

Supplementing With Potassium Can Improve Heart Health

We have previously mentioned that potassium plays a role in ensuring normal function of the heart via the maintenance of optimal electrical impulses. With this in mind, the supplementation of potassium has been suggested to improve the hearts ability to maintain a regular heart rhythm.

This has been suggested to further improve the health of the cardiovascular system in its entirety, greatly reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, or having a heart attack or a stroke ^[1].

Supplementing With Potassium Can Improve Blood Sugar Levels

We already know that potassium plays an important role regulating the hydration level of the body, but interestingly, it has also been shown to have somewhat of a stabilising effect on our blood sugar levels.

Potassium supplementation has been shown reduce the amount of peaks and drops in blood sugar observed on a daily basis ^[2]. This has been said to help maintain energy levels throughout the day, while also reducing the occurrence of headaches.

Supplementing With Potassium Can Improve Bone Health

Potassium has been shown to have a key role in helping the body retain and preserve calcium. Through this interaction, calcium becomes increasingly abundant within the human body, where it is then more readily used for the development of new bone tissue.

As a result, increasing potassium consumption on a daily basis has been shown to cause significant increases in bone mineral density and bone health. This is thought to greatly reduce the risk of unwanted bone breaks and fractures, while also reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis and age-related declines in bone health ^[3].

Supplementing With Potassium Can Improve Muscle Function

As previously mentioned, potassium is important for general muscle function. Because of this, supplementing with potassium can cause large improvement in muscle health, while also improving contraction efficiency ^[4].

This has been further suggested to ensure the normal growth and repair of muscle tissue in response to exercise interventions, while also ensuring optimal muscular power and endurance. This may have some merit in more athletic individuals, ensuring that optimal performance is maintained throughout both training and games.

Best Potassium Supplement Reviews

Although the benefits of potassium supplementation are apparent, that doesn’t mean that all potassium supplements are created equal. As such, we have found what we believe to be the best three potassium supplements available on the market.

NOW Potassium Citrate Capsules

NOW are undeniably one of the most popular supplement companies around.

They have been producing high quality products for an exceptionally long time, which is why they have our complete trust when it comes to practically anything that they produce – and as you can imagine, their potassium supplement is no different.

Using a highly absorbable for of potassium (potassium citrate), this is an excellent option that is provided in scientifically supported dosages. You really can’t go wrong.

Natures Made Potassium Gluconate 550mg

Natures made are one of our favourites, as they consistently put out high quality supplements at affordable price points. This particular option provides a high dose of potassium at an extremely low price.

It is important to mention that this potassium supplement uses a form of potassium (gluconate) that is not absorbed as quickly as some of its competitors (that use citrate). Despite this, it is still an excellent option for those looking for high quality supplement that won’t break the bank.

Thorne Research Potassium Citrate

This particular option by Thorne research offers a decent dosage of potassium citrate (in which it ensures excellent absorption) at a fairly affordable price. Additionally, this is an extremely high-quality supplement that has gained a lot of support from those within the health industry of late – a great choice.

Take-Away Message

Potassium is one of the few minerals found within the body that also acts as an electrolyte. Because of this, it is essential to optimise energy levels, muscle function, and cardiovascular health, all while stabilising blood glucose levels and ensuring the maintenance general whole-body hydration.

While potassium supplementation is a great way to ensure we do not become potassium deficient, it also provides us with a host of other health benefits.

The three supplements outlined in this article are what we believe to be the three best potassium supplements available on the market. If you had any experience with them, we would love to hear about it – so please drop us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP.