Potassium

Sunandpalms · 10-03-2009, 07:19 PM

I am restarting. I am now on Benicar for borderline high bp. The doctor told me that it can lower my potassium.

I am worried about getting enough potassium in my diet on Atkins. How do I make sure of that?

Nitebreez · 10-03-2009, 08:02 PM

The Potassium tablets that you get over-the-counter have just 99mg. I use the "salt substitute" called "NoSalt". It has 650mg of Potassium per 1/4 tsp. (of the variety that's supposed to be safer to take at higher doses than the 99mg tablets).

"NoSalt" is made by French's (I think..can't find my reading glasses just now) anyhow,..it's located in the "spices" and seasoning section of the grocery store.

2big4mysize · 10-04-2009, 07:37 AM

did your doc give you any potassium supplementation? does your doc plan any follow up blood work to see if it does lower your potassium?

junkfoodmonkey · 10-06-2009, 03:13 AM

I use a low sodium salt substitute for the sake of the potassium too. I used to get leg cramps, switched to the salt substitute and they went away, so that was the only extra potassium I needed. If you've got high BP then maybe you're already cutting back on salt?

But since you are on other medication it's probably best to ask your doctor about how much you should take. Make sure they know you're on low carb too, so they have the full picture.

peanutte · 10-06-2009, 11:07 AM

I was told in no uncertain terms NOT to use the "Lite Salt"-type products while on BP medication. If you are concerned about potassium, you need to talk to your doctor about it.

Nitebreez · 10-10-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanutte

I was told in no uncertain terms NOT to use the "Lite Salt"-type products while on BP medication. If you are concerned about potassium, you need to talk to your doctor about it.

hmmmm,..yes, that's probably very true, because it would be "too much" of maybe similiar things. Good advice. (better safe than sorry).

Sunandpalms · 10-11-2009, 08:24 AM

Yes, I read with my medicine that I should not use any potassium substitutes.

I am just worried about the effects on the heart's rhythm. Potassium has a lot to do with regulating this.

I guess I will just eat as many potassium rich foods (avacados, mushrooms, spinach, etc) as I can.

I am thinking that after a bit, I will be able to come off of the Benicar because the weightloss will bring my bp down naturally.

2big4mysize · 10-11-2009, 01:24 PM

eating potassium rich foods as a change in your diet will have the same effect as supplementing. You really need to talk to your doc and ask about scheduling a chem7 where your potassium levels can be checked to see if you need to supplement.

You will get muscle cramps, blood pressure drops and other low potssium symptoms before you have a heart rythem issue from low potassium.

10-03-2009, 07:19 PM	#1
Sunandpalms Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 33 Gallery: Sunandpalms	Potassium I am restarting. I am now on Benicar for borderline high bp. The doctor told me that it can lower my potassium. I am worried about getting enough potassium in my diet on Atkins. How do I make sure of that?

10-03-2009, 08:02 PM	#2
Nitebreez Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 123 Gallery: Nitebreez Stats: 118/105 (barely 5' tall) WOE: Atkins / VLC Start Date: 2006 (started at 173 lbs.)	The Potassium tablets that you get over-the-counter have just 99mg. I use the "salt substitute" called "NoSalt". It has 650mg of Potassium per 1/4 tsp. (of the variety that's supposed to be safer to take at higher doses than the 99mg tablets). "NoSalt" is made by French's (I think..can't find my reading glasses just now) anyhow,..it's located in the "spices" and seasoning section of the grocery store. Last edited by Nitebreez; 10-03-2009 at 08:05 PM..

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10-04-2009, 07:37 AM	#3
2big4mysize Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,504 Gallery: 2big4mysize Stats: 313 to current goalie 169-173 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: june 1 2002	did your doc give you any potassium supplementation? does your doc plan any follow up blood work to see if it does lower your potassium?

10-06-2009, 03:13 AM	#4
junkfoodmonkey Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4,019 Blog Entries: 51 Gallery: junkfoodmonkey Stats: Start: 242 Now:150 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: Nov 2003	I use a low sodium salt substitute for the sake of the potassium too. I used to get leg cramps, switched to the salt substitute and they went away, so that was the only extra potassium I needed. If you've got high BP then maybe you're already cutting back on salt? But since you are on other medication it's probably best to ask your doctor about how much you should take. Make sure they know you're on low carb too, so they have the full picture.

10-06-2009, 11:07 AM	#5
peanutte Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 5,899 Gallery: peanutte Stats: 212 (before Atkins)/188 (Jan.'09)/136.2/140 WOE: Atkins Pre-Maintenance Start Date: 01/03/09	I was told in no uncertain terms NOT to use the "Lite Salt"-type products while on BP medication. If you are concerned about potassium, you need to talk to your doctor about it.

10-11-2009, 08:24 AM	#7
Sunandpalms Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 33 Gallery: Sunandpalms	Yes, I read with my medicine that I should not use any potassium substitutes. I am just worried about the effects on the heart's rhythm. Potassium has a lot to do with regulating this. I guess I will just eat as many potassium rich foods (avacados, mushrooms, spinach, etc) as I can. I am thinking that after a bit, I will be able to come off of the Benicar because the weightloss will bring my bp down naturally.

10-11-2009, 01:24 PM	#8
2big4mysize Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,504 Gallery: 2big4mysize Stats: 313 to current goalie 169-173 WOE: Atkins 2002 Start Date: june 1 2002	eating potassium rich foods as a change in your diet will have the same effect as supplementing. You really need to talk to your doc and ask about scheduling a chem7 where your potassium levels can be checked to see if you need to supplement. You will get muscle cramps, blood pressure drops and other low potssium symptoms before you have a heart rythem issue from low potassium.