Why and how to increase dietary potassium intake

A role for dietary potassium intake in the prevention and treatment of several metabolic and cardiovascular disorders is supported by a growing body of evidence. it is well known that chronic changes in dietary potassium intake may influence cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms and alter the body's electrolyte handling. Epidemiologic surveys, experimental studies on animal models and clinical trials in hypertensive patients indicate that increasing potassium intake is associated with lower blood pressure levels. Evidence is emerging that potassium may have a beneficial effect in preventing renal damage and stroke, with mechanisms at least partly independent of the effect on blood pressure itself In particular, an independent role of potassium in the regulation of endothelial function has been hypothesised. Oral potassium supplementation reduces urinary calcium excretion and may be of value in the treatment of hypercalciuria, thereby offering a valuable fool in the prevention of osteoporosis and kidney stone disease The objective of this paper is to briefly review this matter and to provide indications for the large scale applicability of nutritional measures aiming at increasing dietary potassium intake (C) 1996, Medikal Press