Potassium May Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a big impact. A new article published in last month’s issue of The Journal of Clinical Hypertension indicates that an increased intake in minerals such as potassium, and possibly magnesium and calcium by dietary means may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke, as well as decrease blood pressure in people with hypertension.

According to the paper, if Americans were able to increase their potassium intake, the number of adults with known hypertension with blood pressure levels higher than 140/90 mm Hg might decrease by more than 10 percent and increase life expectancy. Similar studies show that diets high in magnesium (at least 500 to 1,000 mg/d) and calcium (more than 800 mg/d) may also be associated with both a decrease in blood pressure and risk of developing hypertension. Data regarding these minerals, however, are not definitive.

Potassium, in particular is believed to be one reason why vegetarians and those on primitive diets (high potassium, low sodium) have lower rates of cardiovascular disease.

In isolated societies consuming diets high in fruits and vegetables, hypertension affects only 1 percent of the population, whereas in industrialized countries which consume diets high in processed foods and large amounts of dietary sodium, 1 in 3 persons have hypertension. Americans consume double the sodium and about half of the potassium that is recommended by current guidelines.

Next: Top 10 Sources of Potassium