One of the expected adverse reactions of taking diuretics to control hypertension is loss of potassium from the blood through the urine. Potassium is essential in protecting the heart’s muscular wall, and must be replaced.

Natural sources of potassium in the diet include oranges, bananas, potatoes, melons and dried fruits..

Your doctor may also feel that you need a supplemental source of potassium. This is one nutrient that you can’t purchase without a prescription. There are many brands on the market, as tablets, liquids, capsules and effervescent tablets.

Unfortunately, all potassium replacement products can cause stomach upset. That’s why it’s best to take them with a meal. Many patients object to the taste, and you may have to taste test a few brands to see which is most palatable.

Potassium replacements are not as benign as other nutritional supplements. That’s why they’re not sold without a prescription. If you experience severe nausea and/or vomiting, severe stomach pain, black stools, or weakness or tingling in the hands or feet, be certain to report to your doctor.

Talk with your doctor about combining the potassium replacements prescribed with potassium-rich foods and salt substitutes. That way you’ll need less of the prescription product.

While the nutrients in foods ate listed in milligrams (mg), the potassium content of prescription potassium replacement products is measured in milliequivalents (mEq). Each milliequivalent is equal to 39 milligrams.

You’ll need to do a bit of arithmetic to see how much food you’d need to match a given prescription product. Let’s say that an orally taken liquid has 10 mEq per tablespoonful. That is the same as 390 mg. You can get that much from a Vi-cup serving of lima beans.

Added to food, salt substitutes can provide a significant amount of potassium and can be used instead of some of the prescribed potassium replacement. A note of caution: excessive use while also taking a potassium replacement could lead to a condition termed hypercalaemia in which abnormally high levels of potassium are concentrated in the blood. This is a particular concern if you’re taking the potassium-sparing diuretics. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about this.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol