Preventative Potassium

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Preventative Potassium JoAnn Guest Mar 20, 2005 14:25 PST

 

By Alan R. Gaby, MD

 

Healthnotes Newswire (February 10, 2005)—Scientists have long known that

eating a diet high in potassium is associated with a reduced risk of

stroke. The potassium–stroke connection has now been strengthened by a

study showing that potassium inhibits the function of blood platelets

(Hypertension 2004;44:969–73), an effect that would be expected to

protect against stroke.

 

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Western

societies. The most common type is caused by a blockage of one of the

arteries that supplies oxygen to the brain, usually as a result of

hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Risk factors for stroke are

similar to those for other types of cardiovascular disease: high blood

pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking, obesity,

diabetes, and lack of exercise. Eating more potassium has been shown in

both animal and human studies both to lower blood pressure and to reduce

stroke risk. The stroke-preventing effect of potassium, however, is not

due entirely to its effect on blood pressure, because potassium is

beneficial even for people with normal blood pressure.

 

Blood platelets appear to be a key factor in stroke development.

Platelets are blood cells that play a role in normal blood clotting.

Through a complex process, platelets can also promote the development of

atherosclerosis, especially if they are “overactive,” as they are in

some people with heart and blood vessel disease. Drugs that inhibit

platelet aggregation, such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix®), are

often prescribed by doctors for people who are at high risk of having a

stroke.

 

In the new study, a group of healthy men and women supplemented their

usual diet with potassium for three days, in the amount of 2,340 mg per

70 kg (154 pounds) of body weight per day. That amount of potassium is

similar to the level in a typical diet. After three days, there was a

significant decrease in platelet activity. The effect of the potassium

supplement was more pronounced in white people than in black people, and

was statistically significant only in whites. The difference in

potassium effect between racial groups may have been due to the fact

that black participants were somewhat deficient in potassium at the

start of the study, and that three days of supplementation were not

enough to replenish their potassium stores.

 

African Americans have particularly high rates of both high blood

pressure and stroke, and they also tend to consume less potassium in

their diet than whites do. The differences in disease risk among white

and black people may be due in part to genetic factors. However,

environmental influences are undoubtedly involved as well. The results

of the new study suggest that increasing potassium intake (by eating

more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains) may be a simple way to

reduce the risk of having a stroke.

 

Alan R. Gaby, MD, an expert in nutritional therapies, testified to the

White House Commission on CAM upon request in December 2001. Dr. Gaby

served as a member of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Panel of the National

Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine. He is the author of

Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994), and co-author of

The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd Edition (Healthnotes, Three Rivers Press,

1999), the A–Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions (Healthnotes,

Three Rivers Press, 1999), Clinical Essentials Volume 1 and 2

(Healthnotes, 2000), and The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima,

1999). A former professor at Bastyr University of Natural Health

Sciences, in Kenmore, WA, where he served as the Endowed Professor of

Nutrition, Dr. Gaby is the Chief Medical Editor for Healthnotes, Inc.

 

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