Potassium

What is Potassium?

–

What Potassium Does for You:

–

What Happens When there is a Potassium Deficiency:

–

What Happens When Too Much Potassium is Consumed:

–

How Much Potassium do You Need?

This table presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs) recommended by the USDA to maintain a healthy diet.

	Potassium (mg/day)
Infants
0-6 mos	400*
7-12 mos	700*
Children
1-3 yrs	3000*
4-8 yrs	3800*
Males
9-13 yrs	4500*
14-18 yrs	4700*
19-30 yrs	4700*
31-50 yrs	4700*
51-70 yrs	4700*
> 70 yrs	4700*
Females
9-13 yrs	4500*
14-18 yrs	4700*
19-30 yrs	4700*
31-50 yrs	4700*
51-70 yrs	4700*
> 70 yrs	4700*
Pregnancy
14-18 yrs	4700*
19-30 yrs	4700*
31-50 yrs	4700*
Lactation
14-18 yrs	5500*
19-30 yrs	5500*
31-50 yrs	5500*

NOTES:

• * Adequate Intakes
• mg = milligramss

Best Plant Sources of Potassium:

–

SOURCES:

• The National Academy Press: www.nap.edu
• Institute of Medicine: www.iom.edu