Potassium is a vitally important mineral in the cell.* Approximately 98 percent of the body's stores of potassium are within the cell. It is the ratio of intracellular-to-extracellular potassium that determines muscle cell excitability. Thus, potassium plays an essential role in the functioning of not only skeletal muscle, but also the heart muscle.* Potassium is essential for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contractility, and maintaining already normal blood pressure, energy production, and nucleic acid synthesis.* Epidemiological evidence suggests that diets high in potassium provide numerous benefits to cardiovascular health.*
A potassium deficiency can occur when large amounts of potassium are lost via the digestive system or the urinary tract; for example, prolonged use of a non-potassium sparing diuretic can cause a loss of potassium via the urinary tract. Individuals with eating disorders are also at risk for being potassium-deficient. A chronic potassium deficiency can result in several adverse health conditions; at a minimum, a low potassium level can result in a prolonged feeling of weakness and fatigue.
Potassium citrate helps prevent precipitates in the urine.* In addition, potassium citrate is effective for alkalinizing the urine.* Herbs and herbal extracts such as uva ursi and berberine that support a healthy urinary tract – and are ingredients in Thorne's Uristatin – contain natural constituents that work most effectively in an alkaline urine.*
Take 1 capsule one to three times daily or as recommended by a health-care practitioner.
One Capsule Contains:
Potassium (as Potassium Citrate) 99 mg.
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Leucine, Silicon Dioxide.
ALLERGY WARNING
This product is contraindicated in an individual with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.
PREGNANCY
If pregnant, consult your health-care practitioner before using this product.
INTERACTIONS
Aspirin, laxatives, sodium bicarbonate, and several prescription medications – including trisalicylate (a pain medication), colchicine, corticosteroids, and non-potassium sparing diuretics (such as thiazide diuretics) – can induce potassium depletion.
ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, ramipril, etc.) can produce potassium retention by inhibiting aldosterone in the adrenal glands. Potassium supplementation concurrently with ACE inhibitors and potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene, etc.) should be undertaken with caution to prevent excessive potassium levels in the body.
