Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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When eating paleo (low carb paleo or not), how common is it to get at least twice as much potassium as sodium?

Is that really important?

What are the likely symptoms of too much sodium relative to potassium?

According to:

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/23/health/he-sodium23

"study suggests that consuming twice as much potassium as sodium can halve your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The study is the first to show that the ratio of these nutrients in your diet matters more than exactly how much you get of either one."

Just curious,

Mike

edited Jun 17 at 13:01

asked Jun 17 at 11:37

CaveMan_Mike
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Christopher Gagnon · Answer 1 · 2012-06-17 15:16:45Z UTC

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I didn't really find paleo increased my potassium, but it definitely reduced my sodium--so much so that I suffered cramps until I figured out what was going on and started liberally salting stuff. All the processed foods I gave up are replete with sodium, and I essentially was now on a sodium-restricted diet. I wonder if the balance between the two minerals is more important than the overall quantity consumed.

I also wonder where those paleo people who consume few vegetables/fruits get potassium, as animal products don't seem especially rich in it.

answered Jun 17 at 15:16

Christopher Gagnon
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@Christopher , check out this cool potassium : sodium animation. Based on that, I would guess the ratio is VERY important. highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072495855/… – CaveMan_Mike Jun 17 at 16:29

@Christopher, funny you mention the cramp thing. I too got cramps, especially when going very low carb paleo. I still haven't gotten it fully figured out. However, I think I've ruled out insufficient salt. My current hypothesis is not enough potassium, or at least the ratio being out of whack. That's what I'm experimenting with now (hence the question). I just got back from trader joes with sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, butternut squash, kale and coconut water. I'm going to curb my salt shaking ways to see how I look, feel & perform. – CaveMan_Mike Jun 17 at 16:32

potassium supps helped my intense leg and foot cramps but they didn't totally go away until I also started taking magnesium. I was too low sodium as well. – Crowlover Jun 17 at 18:54

scottts · Answer 2 · 2012-06-17 14:01:55Z UTC

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I don't know what the symptoms of inadequate potassium are other than muscle cramping. I do supplememt with 700 mg of potassium chloride (KCL) each day just to make sure I get enough. The rest of my intake is from white potato mostly.

answered Jun 17 at 14:01

scottts
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	Hi Scotts. Do you supplement via 99mg pills? BTW, do you track your sodium? Just curious, – CaveMan_Mike Jun 17 at 15:01
	I use a salt substitue called Alsosalt as the source of KCL. It doesn't dissvole well in water so I mix it into egg yolks I'm going to scramble. Actually seems to taste good that way. I don't track sodium. I am a salt fiend though and I live in a desert so I get a lot. – scottts Jun 17 at 15:09

Do people on Paleo really get more 2X potassium than sodium?

2 Answers