Improving Human Nutrition: A Critical Objective for Potassium Recommendations for Agricultural Crops

Abstract

Potassium (K) is the most abundant cation in intracellular fluid where it plays a key role in maintaining cell function. The majority of K consumed (60–100 mmol day−1) is lost in the urine, with the remaining excreted in the stool, and a very small amount lost in sweat. Little is known about the bioavailability of K, especially from dietary sources. Less is understood on how bioavailability may affect health outcomes. Potassium is an essential nutrient that has been labeled a shortfall nutrient by recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committees. Increases in K intake have been linked to improvements in cardiovascular and other metabolic health outcomes. There is growing evidence for the association between K intake and blood pressure (BP) reduction in adults; hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a major financial burden (US$53.2 billion) to the US public health system and has a significant impact on all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Evidence is also accumulating for the protective effect of adequate dietary K on age-related bone loss and glucose control. Understanding the benefit of K intake from various sources may help to reveal how specific compounds and tissues influence K movement within the body, and further the understanding of its role in health.

Short-Term Supplemental Dietary Potassium from Potato and Potassium Gluconate: Effect on Calcium Retention and Urinary pH in Pre-Hypertensive-to-Hypertensive Adults

“…Peak bone mass is achieved by the third decade of life, after which bone loss accelerates with aging in both men and women. Bone maintenance optimization is determined by numerous influences that affect turnover throughout the lifespan, many of which are modifiable lifestyle factors [4].…”

“…Adequate potassium intake may benefit bone through its effect on acid-base balance [5,6]. Western diets high in meats and cereal grains produce an environment of low-grade metabolic acidosis and buffering of this increased acid load may rely on alkaline calcium (Ca) salts derived from the dissolution of bone tissue [4]. Potassium salts, produced from the consumption and metabolism of fruits and vegetables or alkalizing supplements (e.g., potassium supplements), may also yield alkaline precursors that help maintain pH homeostasis (~7.4).…”

“…Potassium salts, produced from the consumption and metabolism of fruits and vegetables or alkalizing supplements (e.g., potassium supplements), may also yield alkaline precursors that help maintain pH homeostasis (~7.4). Excess systemic acid may impact bone via two mechanisms: (1) pH buffered through the dissolution of the bone matrix, and (2) cell-based mechanisms (e.g., up-regulation of bone resorbing cells (osteoclasts)) [4][5][6]. Despite physiological plausibility, the acid-base balance theory has been met with empirical challenges [7,8].…”