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What is Potassium Gluconate?

Potassium gluconate is an organic potassium salt, or Potassium combined with glucose or blood sugar, that is given as a dietary supplement. It is one of the most frequently prescribed minerals in the United States available as both an over-the-counter and a prescription medication. Potassium gluconate is prescribed for individuals who need to replenish low blood levels of potassium, to prevent potassium depletion in specific diseases or resulting from specific drug therapies, and to help manage high blood pressure in some people. While potassium depletion or deficiency is a health risk, high to excessive amounts of potassium are also linked with toxicity and health risks. Potassium-containing drugs should be used only under medical supervision because accurate dosing of Potassium Gluconate is essential to avoid side effects and toxicity problems associated with overdosing. The potassium available in fruit is both safe and healthful for most people, except for people undergoing treatment with potassium-sparing diuretic drugs and individuals with kidney failure.

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. Most fruits are excellent sources of potassium, as well as beans, milk, and vegetables. People with low blood levels of potassium who are undergoing heart surgery are more susceptible to developing heart arrhythmias and an increased need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Potassium is also necessary for carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

The best way to ensure you have enough or extra potassium is to consume several pieces of fruit per day, as well as liberal amounts of vegetables. The amount of potassium found in the 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. High potassium intake (several hundred milligrams at one time in tablet form) can produce stomach irritation. One should not attempt to achieve higher potassium levels by taking large numbers of potassium pills, as concentrated form of potassium such as this can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, a side effect that can be avoided if a large portion of potassium requirements is derived from dietary sources.

Potassium is needed to maintain good health. Although a balanced diet usually supplies all the potassium a person needs, potassium supplements may be needed by patients who do not have enough potassium in their regular diet or have lost too much potassium because of illness or treatment with certain medicines. For good health, it is important that you eat a balanced and varied diet. Follow carefully any diet program your health care professional may recommend. For your specific dietary vitamin and/or mineral needs, ask your health care professional for a list of appropriate foods.

What is Potassium Gluconate used for and who uses it?

Potassium is of paramount importance in the human body and oral potassium gluconate is one of the more common means to replenish it. It can be diluted and given intravenously, or it can be taken with food. Clinically it is used in the treatment of hypokalemia and related conditions, for digitalis poisoning, and to replenish electrolytes. Abnormally low levels of potassium in the cells can cause hypokalemia, and it can be the result of prolonged vomiting, the use of some diuretics, kidney disease, anorexia, bulimia, or any other condition that might cause the exit of potassium from the body faster than it ca 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. Severe cases of hypokalemia can lead to muscular paralysis or even fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Other manifested symptoms of potassium deficiency include constipation, poor appetite, abnormally dry skin, acne, depression, diarrhea, diminished reflex function, edema, nervousness, insatiable thirst, glucose intolerance, growth impairment, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, proteinuria (protein in the urine), respiratory distress, and salt retention. The intake of prescription medicines like aldactone, colchicines, digitalis, ACE-inhibitors, steroids, furosemide and other diuretics, and penicillin, and the abuse of alcohol or laxatives, impairs the body’s ability to absorb potassium. If you are undergoing treatment with any of these medications, have an eating disorder, or are alcohol-dependent, you should consult your physician regarding getting more potassium in your diet and the possibility of incorporating potassium supplements in it.

Clearly it’s critical to have adequate amounts of potassium into your system. Potassium is vital for nerve and muscle functions, can help reduce hypertension and treat allergies, and a deficiency of potassium can lead to hypoglycemia. Potassium is a mineral that functions as an electrolyte in the body, transporting nutrients into your cells and carrying wastes out and away from them. 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. An optimal potassium-to-sodium ratio helps keep high blood pressure at bay and significantly lessens the risk of stroke. Otherwise known as the membrane potential, this is achieved by having more potassium inside the cells while keeping more sodium outside the cells to enable the body to perform the chemical reactions needed to convert carbohydrates to energy. A normal cell membrane potential is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.

How pure is your Potassium Gluconate?

This pharmaceutical grade Potassium Gluconate is assayed by the manufacturer to be 99.88% pure product. You will receive a sealed and labeled heavy duty 4 mil polyethylene bag containing this white odorless crystalline powder product. It contains no fillers, taste additives, or anti-caking agents. The remaining 0.12% by weight are inactive byproducts of the extraction.

Potassium is an important mineral used in various bodily functions. It is a crucial element in keeping the body healthy and optimal acid-base balance and nerve conductions, as well as the movement of nutrients through cell membranes. Potassium is available in a variety of dietary sources, including dairy, fish, and other meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Because food processing significantly lowers the amounts of naturally occurring nutrients in foods, supplementation may be necessary to ensure adequate intake.

What is the daily suggested dose of Potassium Gluconate?

Accurate dosing of Potassium Gluconate is essential to avoid side effects and toxicity problems associated with overdosing, so be very careful and cautious when measuring your bulk powder dose. Volumetric dosing utilizing standardized measuring spoons can be accurate enough for most people; however, not all individuals possess the manual skills and mental acuity to accurately dose bulk powders consistently, so please exercise caution and care when dosing this bulk powder product.

Potassium gluconate comes in pills, powders and gels. Dosage can be a little confusing because products are marked with the amount of elemental potassium or the amount of potassium gluconate or the milliequivalents (mEq) or all three. To avoid any confusion and for easier comparison, all dosages can be reduced to elemental potassium or mEq (milliequivalents) and be compared at that level. What counts is the elemental Potassium and mEq.

To convert mg of elemental potassium to mEq, take the mg value (whether it is Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Bicarbonate, or Potassium Chloride) and divide it by 39.0983 (atomic weight of potassium). For example, 90 mg is equivalent to 2.30 mEq, 99 mg is equivalent to 2.53 mEq. Conversely, if you know the mEq, multiply by 39.0983 to find the elemental potassium. For example, 2 mEq is equal to 78.0 mg, and so on.

The maximum allowable Over-The-Counter (OTC) dose for elemental potassium is regulated by the FDA to be no more than 100 milligrams (or no more than 2.53 mEq per day), which is the reason why most potassium supplements are designated as containing 99 milligrams elemental potassium per capsule or tablet. Using a U.S. Standardized measuring spoon, one level 1/8 teaspoon (432 milligrams potassium gluconate) will yield an equivalent elemental potassium dose of 72 mg, or 1.84 meq. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Potassium Gluconate here. Since this does not exceed FDA guidelines on doses, this should be enough to supply daily potassium needs from potassium gluconate. Mix it with 8 to 12 ounces water and drink, or take it as directed by your physician.

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.

What kind of results do people anticipate while taking Potassium Gluconate?

Potassium is an essential mineral needed to regulate water balance, levels of acidity, blood pressure, and neuromuscular function. This mineral also plays a critical role in the transmission of electrical impulses in the heart. People with low blood levels of potassium who are undergoing heart surgery are at an increased risk of developing heart arrhythmias and an increased need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Potassium is also required for carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

Precautions and Potential Side Effects of Potassium Gluconate

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, as may be the case in kidney disease, 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 gluconate. If you are currently supplementing with potassium, or are considering supplementing with potassium, pay careful attention to how much fruit you are eating daily. Fruit contains a high amount of potassium and if you are supplementing with potassium, overdose is also a possibility. Taking too much potassium can result in an upset stomach, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and burping. An excessive amount of potassium can result in a heart attack. Diabetics and persons with kidney failure should consult a qualified medical practitioner prior to the use of potassium supplements. At any rate just to be on the safe side consult your physician or pharmacist before starting any dietary supplement.

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.

Taste, solubility, and suggested preparation of Potassium Gluconate

Potassium gluconate is highly soluble and easily absorbed in the body. Potassium chloride, however, is the most frequently prescribed form of potassium supplement. This is because many individuals who require potassium also have low chloride levels. Potassium gluconate, however, is prescribed when the chloride level is normal or where an increased chloride intake is contraindicated, such as in certain types of kidney disease. Potassium Gluconate should be taken with meals and 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. Liquid, powder, and effervescent potassium products may be dissolved in a glass of cold water or juice to give it the desired flavor.

Potassium Gluconate is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

NOW Potassium Gluconate, Seacoast Vitamins Potassium Gluconate, Controlled Labs Purple Wraath, ISS Research HGH Promino Plus IGF-1, Betancourt Nutrition Bullnox Androrush, Champion AdreNOl8, Nature's Science Potassium, Solaray Potassium, Absolute Nutrition Watershed, Absolute Nutrition Watershed, Cellucor L2 Extreme, Champion Muscle Nitro, Complete H20 Minerals Sports Blend Electrolite, Country Life Calcium Magnesium Potassium, FSI VO2 Max, Health Direct Nature's Optimal Nutrition, Hot Stuff Nutritionals Up Your Gas, LifeTime Calm & Calmer II, Michael's Water Balance Factors, Millennium Sport Athlytes-ATP, Millennium Sport Cordygen VO2 ULTRA, Muscle Fortress Evaporate, Panthera Pharma Hydronic Razor, PGN Nutrition Once-A-Month, Solaray Spectro Multi-Vita-Min, Trace Minerals Electro-Vita-Min, Trace Minerals Electrolyte Stamina, Zima ZMP Supermax

References & Further Research

Shortening and elongation of isolated outer hair cells in response to application of potassium gluconate, acetylcholine and cationized ferritin
Individual outer hair cells isolated from guinea pig cochleae were observed in vitro during the application of solutions that are known to cause hair cells to shorten. Solutions containing high potassium, which depolarizes cells, were applied in the form of potassium gluconate. The initial response was a shortening, followed by an elongation, after which the hair cells nearly resumed their original length. Solutions containing the presumed efferent neurotransmitter acetylcholine also caused an initial shortening, occasionally followed by an elongation, where a cell either returned to normal or exceeded its original length. Solutions containing cationized ferritin caused some cells to shorten and caused others to lengthen. The results indicate that the hair cell response to a chemical stimulus can be bidirectional. Moreover, the initial response of an individual cell may depend not only on the stimulus but also on the physiological state of the hair cell or the original location of the hair cell along the length of the sensory epithelium when it was in the cochlea.

Effect of Short-Term Supplementation of Potassium Chloride and Potassium Citrate on Blood Pressure in Hypertensives
Randomized trials have shown that increasing potassium intake lowers blood pressure. However, most previous trials used potassium chloride, whereas potassium in fruits and vegetables is not a chloride salt. It is unclear whether a nonchloride salt of potassium has a greater or lesser effect on blood pressure compared with potassium chloride. We performed a randomized crossover trial comparing potassium chloride with potassium citrate (96 mmol/d, each for 1 week) in 14 hypertensive individuals. Our results, in conjunction with the evidence from many previous trials that potassium chloride has a significant blood pressure-lowering effect, suggest that potassium citrate has a similar effect on blood pressure as potassium chloride. These results support other evidence for an increase in potassium intake and indicate that potassium does not need to be given in the form of chloride to lower blood pressure. Increasing the consumption of foods high in potassium is likely to have the same effect on blood pressure as potassium chloride.

The effect of potassium on the imparired glucose tolerance in chronic uremia
The glucose intolerance of 4 patients with chronic uremia was studied. All patients were shown to have low values for total exchangeable body potassium (KE), and abnormal oral glucose tolerance tests. Although plasma urea nitrogen values fell during the period of potassium replacement there was no apparent improvement in renal function as plasma creatinine concentrations did not significantly change. When KEwas raised by oral potassium supplementation, the glucose tolerance tests returned toward normal. Following potassium the response of endogenous insulin was more prompt and reached higher values than during the control period. Delayed insulin release apparently contributes to the abnormal oral glucose tolerance found in the uremic state.

Potassium Gluconate for International Customers

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