Potassium Deficiency and Consequences

While most Americans are deficient for potassium, fortunately very few actually meet the criteria for hypokalemia, a severe potassium deficiency.  And fortunately for all of us, potassium deficiency and hypokalemia are rarely due to insufficient dietary consumption of potassium.
The most common causes of potassium depletion in the body are due to fluid loss as a result of excessive bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, diuresis (urine production), or sweating.  Unfortunately, any one of these can be fatal, and that's why excessive vomiting and diarrhea, particularly in the very young and very old, is taken very seriously by medical personnel and hospitalization is often recommended.

Potassium levels are entirely regulated by kidneys.  That's why anyone with kidney disease or taking diuretics is at risk for potassium problems.  Potassium levels in the body affect numerous biological processes, including those involving the nerves and muscles, hormones, blood pressure, kidneys, glucose and insulin metabolism, and the fluid and electrolyte balance. 

Low potassium levels are most common in the following individuals:

• those on a very low calorie diet;
• alcoholics, smokers, and drug abusers;
• extreme athletes who exercise a lot in hot weather or people with physically demanding jobs;
• people with uncontrolled diabetes or Crohn's disease;
• those taking diuretics or laxatives;
• anyone with kidney or adrenal glad conditions.

Low potassium levels are also sometimes the result of a magnesium deficiency, bronchodilators, and some antibiotics.


Moderately low potassium levels are common among Americans and Europeans.  Symptoms include  trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping, hypertension, muscle weakness, and joint pain.  Individuals with moderately low levels of potassium are at greater risk for developing type-2 diabetes and kidney stones and have reduced levels of bone formation. 


Like many conditions, potassium deficiency can cause weakness and fatigue, due to weakened ability of the muscles to contract and move.  It can also diminish insulin production and cause elevated blood sugar levels.  It can cause muscle cramps and spasms, heart palpitations, and persistent tingling or numbness in the arms and legs.  And severe potassium deficiency can be fatal if not corrected immediately.

All fruits and vegetables and most meat and fish contain potassium. Foods with high amounts of potassium include yams, beet greens, spinach, parsley, milk, dry beans (especially white), chocolate (yum!), nuts, bananas, potatoes (with the skin), and dried apricots. 

Potassium supplements are not recommended due to the potential for damaging the intestines or causing abnormal heart contractions, both of which could be fatal.

If an individual is suspected of having a severe potassium deficiency, and especially if that person has experienced excessive vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, sweating, or urination, s/he needs potassium as quickly as possible.  Oral rehydration salts may be the only way to go at that point.

DIY Oral Rehydration Solution

2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride)

Pinch baking soda
1 quart of water*

Dissolve the sugar, salts, and baking soda in the water.  It may take up to two minutes to dissolve completely.  Do not alter the recipe, except to add a little more water if absolutely necessary to get the patient to drink.

Links to related posts:
Dietary deficiency--Iron and Anemia  
Dietary deficiency--Magnesium
Dietary deficiency--Calcium
Dietary deficiency--Zinc
Dietary deficiency--Vitamin D 

 

For further information:
*Survival Medicine Handbook, 4th Edition, 2021, 292.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27455317 (diabetes)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4969023/ (heart palpitations)
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0915/p487.html (tingling) 

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/nutrition/if-nfs-ors-recipes.pdf

https://med.virginia.edu/ginutrition/wp-content/uploads/sites/199/2023/12/Homemade-Oral-Rehydration-Solutions-11-2023.pdf

17 april 2019