Dear Pharmacist,
I have high blood pressure but I’m not willing to start medication yet. It’s only borderline high and I don’t have insurance.
If you had to pick only one vitamin, what would you suggest?
–M.G., Ocala, Florida
Answer:
If I’m pinned to just one vitamin if I had high blood pressure concerns, I pick potassium.
It’s inexpensive, sold over-the-counter at pharmacies nationwide, and well-documented to help regulate blood pressure. In addition there are medications like Micro-K and Klor-Con available by prescription.
Potassium lives in all of our cells, and you need it to move your muscles and make your heart beat in perfect rhythm. Plus, without enough potassium on board, your muscles will cramp (and remember, your heart is a muscle). Potassium seems to protect the brain from ischemic injury (like a stroke).
The scary part to me is that there are dozens of drug muggers of potassium, including…
- certain types of diuretics,
- heartburn medications,
- laxatives,
- insulin therapy
- and corticosteroid drugs.
Your potassium levels could be low
More classes of medications are listed in my “Drug Muggers” book. Because I cannot overestimate the importance of restoring nutrients that get depleted by medications, for this is your side effect solution!
Most physicians are aware of the need to reestablish potassium levels after ordering a diuretic drug so patients are commonly told to replace potassium with a banana. FYI, one cup of papaya or french green beans have much higher amounts of natural potassium compared to one banana, a fruit that is high in sugar and prone to fungal disease at the plantation.
Intense workouts (think hot yoga), dehydration, vomiting, chronic or severe diarrhea and alcoholism can all deplete your body of potassium. If you want to know your blood levels, physicians offer a blood test to evaluate this and other electrolytes.
Potassium works with its brother “sodium” and the two together help control your body’s water balance, which in turn regulates blood pressure.
Potassium has a cumulative effect and this makes it better to take a regular dose for two or three months, rather than to take large doses for short periods of time. Never take more than your doctor recommends and be careful because potassium interacts with certain diuretics and blood pressure drugs that are “potassium-sparing.”
Potassium could help regulate high blood pressure
Studies consistently support potassium in the regulation of blood pressure. Researchers say adults (and animals) with high blood pressure often show a drop in systolic and/or diastolic pressure– by up to 12 mm Hg (sometimes more depending on the study)–when given supplemental potassium.
Animals prone to stroke also showed benefit from potassium in at least one study. Only two percent of the potassium-supplemented rats suffered a stroke, compared to 83 percent of the untreated group.
When supplementing with potassium tablets, drink plenty of water and eat a snack. This will help ease the mineral into your body gently, while minimizing GI discomfort.
Did You Know?
People with fibromyalgia often have low cortisol, and yoga helps normalize cortisol levels, while reducing pain.
Top 21 Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure
The Nine “Nutrient Thieves” That Put Your Health at Risk
Reduce Stroke Risk by 34 Percent
In addition to writing a syndicated column on health which reaches 20 million people each week, Suzy is the author of a number of books on natural health.
You may have seen Suzy on The Dr. OZ Show (6 different appearances), The View, The Doctors, Good Morning America Health and hundreds of morning shows. Quotes from Suzy, as well as her articles, have also appeared in major publications including Woman’s Day, Reader’s Digest, OK Magazine!, First for Women, Fitness, Natural Health and Better Homes & Garden and dozens more.
Read more from Suzy at suzyCohen.com
Latest posts by Suzy Cohen, RPh (see all)
- Nutrient found in squash helps fight cancer - October 21, 2016
- Have a headache? Your thyroid may be to blame - October 13, 2016
- WARNING: Painkillers can kill your ability to feel pleasure too! - October 5, 2016
willardf says
September 27, 2011 at 7:53 pmwas your mother scared by a banana when she was pregnant with you? banana fungus. good one. as if i don’t have enough to worry about.
GLR says
September 27, 2011 at 9:25 pmI though french green beans were just the way they are cut, not a type?
Anonymous says
September 28, 2011 at 8:53 pmWhat amount?
What form of potassium is best absorbed by the body?
Also, the drop in BP does not seem to be significant. Is this really a viable alternative for someone who has HIGH blood pressure??? It sounds like it may be a good method to bring down a moderately high-normal…
Tom CHHC says
September 29, 2011 at 1:47 pmThe RDA on potassium is 4700 mg/day. Definitely the place to start if you have high blood pressure. Most folks don’t come anywhere close to getting that amount. The best form of potassium is in food, but supplementally potassium gluconate is best.
Anonymous says
October 2, 2011 at 5:17 pmI am a diabetic with renal failure (have only one functioning kidney), and my intake of potassium is severely restricted. I would strongly suggest that, whenever a supplement, procedure, activity is recommended, a warning is included, such as “if you are diabetic, this is not for you” or at least “speak to your care provider before you . . .”.
James says
May 31, 2015 at 2:48 pmThanks for the article.
Maureen says
May 31, 2015 at 5:12 pmHow can you know what’s a safe amount of potassium to take? I know it can be dangerous if your potassium level gets too high. Also, I already take Metoprolol, Triamterene/HCTZ, and Benicar. Are any of them potassium sparing?
Marten says
September 18, 2015 at 7:26 pmPotassium & Sodium should be balanced period