Most Potassium Supplements Meet Quality Standards

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Most Potassium Supplements Meet Quality Standards

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Supplements_340/Most_Potassium_S

upplements_Meet_Quality_Standards.shtml

A new report on the quality of potassium supplements was released by

ConsumerLab.com today. Tests showed one product to contain only 18%

of the claimed amount of this essential mineral. Potassium

supplements are used to treat or prevent potassium deficiency and

are commonly taken by people on diuretic drugs that treat high blood

pressure but cause potassium loss. Deficiency can cause muscle

weakness, irregular heartbeat, listlessness, mood change, nausea,

and vomiting. Potassium may also help lower blood pressure in people

who consume high amounts of sodium. Sales of potassium supplements

were estimated at $74 million in 2006 according to Nutrition

Business Journal.

ConsumerLab.com purchased the supplements from stores, catalogues,

and online retailers. The supplements were tested for the amount of

potassium, potential lead contamination, and the ability of tablets

to break apart in order to release ingredients. The significant lack

of ingredient in one product was confirmed in a second independent

laboratory.

" Our findings should be a reminder to consumers that even

straightforward supplements like potassium don't always deliver what

they promise, " said Tod man, MD, ConsumerLab.com's

president. " The supplement brand you choose may affect your well-

being, particularly if you rely on it to prevent or treat potassium

deficiency. "

The ConsumerLab.com report is available at

www.consumerlab.com/results/potassium.asp. It includes findings for

nine products selected by ConsumerLab.com as well as three that

passed ConsumerLab.com's Voluntary Certification Program. Also

listed are three products similar to ones that passed but sold under

different brand names. Brands included are Advanced Research,

Biotech Pharmacal, Country Life, Food Sciences of Vermont, Healthy

Ideas, Nature Made, Nature's Bounty, Nature's Life, Nutricology,

Puritan's Pride, Spring Valley [Wal-Mart], Vitamin World, and

Vitasmart [K-Mart]. The report also provides information about the

forms of potassium, use of these supplements and additional clinical

information.