Best Potassium Supplements | Common Questions

Potassium is an essential nutrient that is found in a variety of foods.

It plays a role in many important bodily functions, and is particularly important for people with certain health conditions.

A potassium deficiency can cause a number of health problems, so it is important to make sure you are getting enough potassium each day.

Fortunately, there are many excellent potassium supplements available on the market today.

In this article, we list our top 4 best supplements for potassium.

We will also explore the potential risks and side effects associated with potassium supplementation so that you can make an informed decision whether or not to take a potassium supplement.

Please keep in mind supplements are lightly regulated by the FDA. Their stated claims have no guarantee. They aren’t cures or treatments for any diseases.

Food is your best source of nutrition. Please check with your doctor before any supplement program.

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Finally, you may also want a vitamin deficiency blood test to confirm you have a potassium deficiency before making any decisions.

If you want more helpful info on supplements – including risks and general FDA guidelines – please see our “Supplements and Vitamins – Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”.

4 Best Potassium Supplements

1. Best Overall – MD Life “Potassium-Magnesium”
2. Price – Vitacost “Potassium Citrate”
3. Best Bioavailability – Bulk Supplements “Potassium Orotate”
4. Longest Lasting – Life Extension “Potassium with Extended Release Magnesium”

1 – Best Overall – MD Life

• Price = $ 18.99
• # of Servings =  45
• Price per Serving = $ 0.42
• Product Reviews = 4.6/5 with 3,856 reviews on Amazon
• Taste / Absorption = 2 easy-to-swallow capsules
• Labeled Effect = designed to help relieve twitches, tremors, muscle cramps, extreme fatigue, headaches and symptoms of depression that may be attributed to potassium and magnesium deficiency
• Food Allergens = very safe
• Pros = high doses of potassium and magnesium
• Cons = no other vitamins and minerals 

About “Potassium Magnesium”:

Potassium Magnesium gives you a double-dose of both potassium and magnesium. Enough said!

From our perspective, when a supplement is incredibly popular on Amazon, has a high quality dose of two essential ingredients at a reasonable price – it’s hard not to rank highly and in our case, #1.

Made by “MD Life”:

About MD Life: We couldn’t find much information about MD Life. However, according to ReviewMeta.com, MD Life has a 4.2 average adjusted rating from 380 verified reviews.

• Third Party Certifications = GMP
• Third Party Reviews = 4.2 average rating from 380 reviews

2 – Best Price – Vitacost  

• Price = $ 7.99
• # of Servings = 300
• Price per Serving = $ 0.03
• Product Reviews = 4.7/5 with 97 reviews
• Taste / Absorption = 1 capsule daily with food
• Labeled Effect = potassium citrate supports a healthy acid/alkaline balance in the body
• Food Allergens = safe
• Pros = very low price per serving, 
• Cons = 

About “Potassium Citrate”:

Potassium citrate occurs when potassium molecules bond to citric acid. 

Think about how orange juice dissolves and is quickly digested by your body.

This juice contains a lot of citric acid too! 

Citrates are readily bioavailable which means they can quickly be absorbed by your digestive cells. 

Made by “Vitacost”:

About Vitacost: Founded in 1994 in Florida, the company was bought by Kroger in 2014 for $280 million after being one of the US’s 500 fastest growing privately held businesses for five consecutive years. ResellerRatings.com compiles 97,435 reviews of Vitacost with an average rating of 4.47/5.

• Start = 1994
• Revenue = $383 million
• Employees = 432
• Mission = dedicated to providing the highest quality health and wellness essentials at the best prices
• Third Party Certifications = cGMP
• Third Party Reviews = 4.47/5 average review score from 97,435 reviews.

3 – Best Bioavailability – Bulk Supplements  

• Price = $ 16.96
• # of Servings = 200
• Price per Serving = $ 0.08
• Product Reviews = 5/5 with 16 reviews
• Taste / Absorption = 1/5 teaspoon daily
• Labeled Effect = supports health nervous function
• Food Allergens = must be concert  with physician safe use
• Pros = pure potassium orotate
• Cons = contains only orotate and nothing else

About “Potassium Orotate”:

Potassium orotate is a form of potassium that acts as a bioavailable source of potassium.

Made by “Bulk Supplements”:

About Bulk Supplements: Bulk Supplements started in 2011 and is based in Nevada. Its main manufacturing facility is FDA registered. They keep costs low by producing one metric ton for each supplement. According to ReviewMeta.com, average adjusted rating is 4.4/5 from 39,370 verified reviews.

• Start = 2011
• Revenue = $10 million
• Employees = 50
• Mission = 
• Third Party Certifications = NSF, cGMP
• Third Party Reviews = 4.4/5 from 39,370 reviews

4 – Longest Lasting – Life Extension

• Price = $6.18
• # of Servings =  60
• Price per Serving = $ 0.10
• Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 72 reviews
• Taste / Absorption =  1 vegetarian capsule one or two times daily
• Labeled Effect = support for blood pressure already within normal range
• Food Allergens = safe
• Pros = extended release of magnesium, and potassium
• Cons = not as much magnesium and potassium as other supplements on market

About “Potassium with Extend-Release Magnesium”:

This is a solid alternative to MD Life’s “Potassium Magnesium”.

Made by “Life Extension”:

About Life Extension: Life Extension began in 1980 and is still going 40 years later. In 2021 ConsumerLab.com voted Life Extension as #1 Rated Catalog/Internet Merchant. According to ReviewMeta.com, Life Extension’s average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24,224 verified reviews. 

• Start = 1980
• Revenue = $168 million
• Employees = 500
• Mission = Achieve your goals with the best nutritional products that science can offer
• Third Party Certifications = GMP, Non-GMO
• Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24,224 reviews

What factors we use to rank supplements

What should you look for when picking supplements?

Here are factors you should consider, and the factors we use to rank too!

1 – Price = What’s the price of the supplement? What’s the cost per serving?

At Eating Enlightenment we value quality over price. However, all else being equal, then price comes into consideration. 

2 – Reviews = How many reviews for each product? What’s the average rating? How many third party reviews?

We strongly believe in third party reviews. Many supplement companies list positive reviews on their website, but third party reviews include negative comments. We always go with third party reviews.

3 – Reputation = How reputable is the brand behind the supplement? How long has the brand been around? What’s their mission? 

We believe that a company’s intention is highly important and should be one of your top purchasing decision factors.

4 – Taste / Absorption = What’s the taste? How quickly does your body absorb the supplement? Do reviews mention any negative side effects like an upset stomach?

5 – Perceived Therapeutic Effect = What beneficial effects or feelings does this supplement promote?

6 – Food Allergens = Does the company provide allergen info?

7 – Science / Certifications = Does the company list transparent scientific studies on their website? Do third party certifications test the company’s supplement for quality control? How many certifications does the company have?

8 – Pros/Cons = What are the pros and cons of each supplement? How is the supplement unique? For what situations is this supplement best?

Who benefits most from potassium supplements?

People with certain health conditions are more likely to benefit from potassium supplements. These conditions include:

• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Athletic performance
• Digestive disorders
• Type II diabetes

If you have any of these health conditions, or if you are taking medication for them, it is important to speak to your doctor before taking potassium supplements.

Potassium supplements can interact with some medications, and they may not be appropriate for everyone.

When should I take potassium supplements?

People should take potassium supplements when their diet does not provide enough potassium. This is most likely to occur if you eat a lot of processed foods, or if you have a condition that affects your ability to absorb potassium from food.

If you are taking medication that causes potassium loss, or if you are undergoing dialysis, you may also need to take supplements.

Your doctor can tell you whether you need to take potassium supplements, and if so, how much to take.

Who may not benefit from potassium supplements?

People who eat a balanced diet and do not have any health conditions that affect their potassium levels are unlikely to benefit from taking supplements.

Again, it’s recommended you take a vitamin blood deficiency test to confirm before making any decisions.

Risks

What are the risks and side effects associated with potassium supplementation?

Potassium supplementation is generally safe when taken as directed. However, there are a few potential risks and side effects that you should be aware of.

The most common side effect of potassium supplementation is gastrointestinal upset. This can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking the supplement and speak to your doctor.

Please do not assume you have a potassium deficiency without getting a blood test. There are other more common vitamin deficiencies – like iron – which have similar symptoms.

If you are in fact iron deficient, please see our iron supplement reviews.

Potassium food sources

There are plenty of foods to eat to boost your potassium intake, especially if you have a potassium deficiency. Some of the best foods to eat for potassium are:

• Beans
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Potatoes
• Bananas
• Tomatoes

Types of potassium supplements

Potassium supplements are available in a variety of forms, including:

• Pills
• Capsules
• Tablets
• Liquid

There are also small differences between potassium citrate, potassium gluconate, orotate, and potassium chloride as well.

On the whole they tend to have the same bioavailability, but citrate is generally considered to be easiest on the stomach.

Potassium dosage?

Recommended potassium daily dosages are as follows:

• Adults: 3500-4700 mg
• Children: 1600-3400 mg

Pregnant women should aim for 4000mg a day.

It’s best to get your potassium from food first and foremost. However, if you need to take potassium supplements, be sure to speak with your doctor first and follow the dosage instructions carefully.

How to take a potassium supplement?

Most potassium supplements should be taken with food. This helps to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset.

If you are taking a liquid supplement, be sure to shake the bottle well before taking each dose.

What is the best time of day to take potassium supplements?

There is no best time of day to take potassium supplements. You can take them with any meal or snack, whichever is most convenient for you.

Just be sure to take them at the same time each day to help you remember.

Potassium toxicity and other precautions?

Potassium toxicity is very rare. However, it can occur if you take too much potassium or if your kidney function is not normal. Symptoms of potassium toxicity include:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Tingling

If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking the supplement and call your doctor immediately.

How soon after taking potassium supplements will I feel better?

You should start to feel the effects of potassium supplementation within a few days. If you don’t, speak to your doctor. They may need to adjust your dosage or try a different type of supplement.

Thanks for reading!

We hope this post has helped you better understand potassium, the best potassium supplement for you, and how it can benefit your health.

Conclusion

Eating potassium-rich foods is the best way to increase your potassium levels.

However, if you need a quick fix, taking a potassium supplement can help.

Potassium supplements are available over the counter and online.

Now that you know all about potassium, be sure to include it in your diet!

Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help ensure that you’re getting enough potassium each day. This will help you get enough calcium too!