A health supplement commonly taken to ward off colds could cause agonising side effects for millions of Brits, the health service has warned.
Potassium, an essential mineral found in dried fruits, bananas, beans and fish, helps to balance fluids in the body as well as maintain normal blood pressure.
It’s often taken as a supplement in the winter time, as it can help the body absorb fluids when ill with colds or flu.
But taking too much of the supplement can cause stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea, says new NHS guidance — particularly for one subsection of the population.
Older people, the guidelines warn, may be at higher risk of nasty side effects from potassium because their kidneys are less able to remove potassium from the blood, and therefore should taking a supplement.
However adults of all ages should aim to consume around 3,500mg of potassium a day from dietary sources.
‘You should be able to get all the potassium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet,’ states the NHS website.
‘If you take potassium supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful.
Taking too much potassium can cause stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea, says new NHS guidance – particularly for one subsection of the population
‘Taking 3,700mg or less of potassium supplements a day is unlikely to have obvious harmful effects.
‘Older people should not take potassium supplements unless advised to by a doctor.’
Potassium is a positively charged electrolyte — minerals that help carry an electric charge through the body to help muscles expand and contract as well as send nerve signals from the brain.
Normally, the kidneys filter out extra potassium from food and drink you consume.
But if there’s too much in the body, the kidneys may not be able to remove it all, causing it to build up in the blood.
This can lead to embarrassing gastrointestinal symptoms because high potassium levels in the blood cause the smooth muscles in the intestines to weaken.
This causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting abdominal pain, bloating and gas.
The condition, known as hyperkalemia, is more common in the elderly, as diminished kidney function makes potassium more likely to build-up in the blood.
In severe cases, dangerously high potassium levels can affect the heart, causing chest pain, heart palpitations and heart attack.
The condition, however, is relatively rare.
Almost 90 per cent of adults in the UK do not even meet the recommended daily potassium intake of 3.5g.
According to the British Dieticians Association, those worried about their intake should eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day, as well as plenty of nuts, seeds beans and pulses and moderate amounts of fish and dairy.
Potassium supplements, available at most pharmacies, generally come in 3,000mg servings, just below the recommended amount for adults.
Those worried about their potassium levels should speak with their GP, according to health service guidance.
