Potassium Citrate 99mg | 180 Capsules | NOW Foods

Potassium Citrate 99mg by NOW Foods

Potassium is a mineral you rarely hear about, even though your body uses it every second. This potassium citrate from NOW Foods provides 99mg of potassium per plant-based capsule. You decide how much to take: one to five capsules per day. This way, you can adjust the amount based on what you already get from vegetables, fruit, and potatoes, instead of taking a fixed high dose.

What potassium does in your body

Potassium is an electrolyte, a mineral that carries an electrical charge in your body fluids. It is mainly found inside your cells, while sodium (from salt) is mainly found outside the cells. Your nerves and muscles use this difference in charge to transmit signals. In short: every time a muscle contracts or a nerve transmits an impulse, potassium and sodium move back and forth across the cell wall.

Why 99mg per capsule

When you first see the bottle, you might think: 99mg, that's not much. That's true, and it is intentional. The reference intake for potassium is 2000mg per day, and most of that should come from food. A banana already contains about 400mg, and a serving of boiled potatoes even more. In the United States, where NOW Foods makes these capsules, potassium supplements traditionally remain below 100mg per serving. There is a good reason for this: too much potassium at once can irritate your stomach, and in people with reduced kidney function, potassium can build up. By using small servings, you stay in control. With five capsules you get 495mg, a quarter of the reference intake.

Potassium as citrate, what does that mean

Potassium in supplements is always combined with another substance. Here, that is citric acid. Potassium citrate dissolves well and is one of the most commonly used forms in supplements. Potassium chloride is the form you find in salt substitutes. Each capsule contains 310mg of potassium citrate, of which 99mg is pure potassium. Preferably take the capsules with a meal and spread them throughout the day if you use more than one.

The capsules are made of hypromellose, a plant-based material, and besides potassium citrate contain only microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, and silicon dioxide. They are made without yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, or nuts. With 180 capsules you have a large supply, whether you take one or three per day. If you have heart or kidney problems, diabetes, or use medications that affect your potassium levels, consult your doctor before you start using a potassium supplement.