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Potassium is not commonly found in dietary supplements in doses above 85 mg tablets due to concerns about hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) from too much potassium being taken at once. It can still be found in grocery and nutrition stores as a 'salt substitute' (usually potassium chloride) but doses should be kept minimal and always with food.
While most benefit with potassium will come alongside a modified diet to include more fruits, vegetables, and legumes increasing intake via a salt substitute around 500-1,000 mg a day seems to be sufficient for most benefits associated with potassium without posing any risk if taken alongside food. *
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- General: The adequate intake (AI) of potassium is 4.7 grams per day for most adults, 4.7 grams per day for pregnant females, and 5.1 grams per day for lactating women.
- For low levels of potassium (hypokalemia): For preventing low levels of potassium, 20 mEq (about 780 mg of elemental potassium) is typically taken daily. For treating low levels of potassium, 40-100 mEq (about 1560-3900 mg of elemental potassium) is typically taken in 2-5 divided doses daily.
- For high blood pressure (hypertension): For treating high blood pressure, 3500-5000 mg of potassium daily, preferably as part of the diet, is recommended.
- For stroke: For preventing stroke, dietary intake of about 75 mEq (about 3.5 grams of elemental potassium) has been taken daily.
INTRAVENOUS (IV):
- For low levels of potassium (hypokalemia): The dose and rate of administration for intravenous potassium chloride for the prevention or treatment of hypokalemia varies and depends on the condition of each patient. Patients should be monitored and under the care of medical professionals at the time of administration. *
