The good thing about potassium rich foods is that there are a wide variety of them. A point to remember is that processing and canning lowers the potassium in foods so that fresh or frozen are better sources. The important factor about many fresh fruits and vegetables are that they are low in sodium and high in potassium. So they keep the potassium/sodium balanced in the body balanced correctly.
Some of the vegetables high in potassium are: greens like spinach, collard, mustard, and turnip. These vegetables are potassium rich too: parsley, French beans, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, peas, lima beans, tomatoes. The potatoes skin has a lot of potassium in it.
Many fruits contain high amounts of this mineral like strawberries, mandarin oranges, loganberries, papaya, melons, bananas, raspberries, and watermelon. Most fish have high amounts of potassium like bream, cod, flounder, and salmon. The shellfish crab and lobster are good sources.
Whole grains are rich in this mineral. It is in their bran. These are whole grains rich in potassium: rolled oats, brown rice, whole wheat, whole rye, millet, amaranth, bulgar, buckwheat, kamut, barley, faro, corn, spelt, and teff. In meats sirloin, roast, chicken livers, paste, rabbit, moussaka, are good sources of potassium.
Potassium plays a role in many of the body’s functions so it is very important to get enough potassium. A diet that includes some potassium rich foods every day is the best way to get your potassium. But if you don’t eat the right foods or just don’t like many of them a potassium supplement can keep your potassium level up
When someone is on medication that the doctor proscribed or over the counter medicines there is a chance he is taking a prescription drug that lowers his potassium level. These medications lower potassium: antacids, theophylline, laxatives, corticosteriods, some diuretics, and insulin.
The opposite is also true. Some medications that may raise potassium levels are: trimethoprim, thiazide diuretics, hesparin, beta-blockers, and cyclosporine.
In the case of lowering potassium through use of diuretics taking dandelion supplements will do the job of diuretics, but they have potassium in them to replace what is lost. It is a natural part of the dandelion plant. Asking your doctor’s advice is advised. The best cure for constipation is a high fiber diet so that you don’t need laxatives and that won’t be a way to lose potassium anymore.
Coffee and alcohol may cause you to excrete more potassium in your urine. If your potassium is low you may want to decrease your intake of these beverages. One of the medicines that doctor’s use for treatment of abnormal heart rhythms is digoxin, if the patient’s potassium is low there is a higher chance of a toxic problem when taking this drug.
It is always a good habit to keep your potassium up by eating foods rich in the mineral; this will help your body function normally. Many vegetables, fruits, fish, meats, nuts, and whole grains have good amounts of potassium. The fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are better sources of potassium than canned. When you can’t eat right a potassium supplement is a good way to get this important mineral.