Gluconate = Glucose???

[KickAir8P~]

Sorry if this has been answered already, didn't have any luck searching for it -- not just here, anywhere. :(

I've been serious 'bout drinking enough water, but then I started getting muscle craps -- low potassium, natch, especially since I'm not good with eating high-potassium foods. So I pick up a potassium supplement, but when I get it home I realize it's potassium gluconate.

That sounded too close to glucose to me, so I did a little research. Or I should say, I tried to -- I haven't been able to find a straight answer anywhere. Does Gluconic Acid (the gluconate) turn to glucose anytime after ingestion, or into anything that functions like glucose? If so, what's the carb count?

[kebaldwin]

I don't know -- but I have potassium gluconate supplements also and I don't seem to feell like they are sugar.

The RDA for potassium is like 3,500 mg - or like 35 of those tablets every day. I would recommend that you go to the grocery store and buy salt substitute - it should be located by the salt. Brand names are NuSalt, AlsoSalt, and others.

When you look at the ingredients - potassium should be the first ingredient.

Potassium is an acquired taste - so start with a little and increase slowly.

You might also want to try magnesium.

In most cases, the spasms are innocuous and are caused by simple muscle fatigue or an imbalance of chemicals such as sodium, potassium, phosphorous, calcium and magnesium in the blood, according to Calgary Health Region in Canada.

[ValerieL]

I'm not sure about in the States, but here in Canada, there are 600 mg potassium supplements behind the pharmacy counter. Non-prescription, but you have to ask for them, they aren't out on the shelves.

[Gostrydr]

gluconate is the salt of gluconic acid, which is a product of
glucose oxidation. Gluconic acid contains one carboxylic acid group and
5 hydroxy groups, so it tends to chelate. Because it is a sugar, I would
imagine that "bugs" love it!

Gluconic acid does exist in nature, as a byproduct of fungal oxidation
of corn syrup and from other sources. If it "finds" an available iron
ion nearby, it may well form a chelate with it. I don't think that in
nature it lasts for very long.

That's what I can find,but I wouldn't worry.

as you may or may not know all minerals have to be bound to 'something' so your body will recognize it and absorb it.

hence Calcium:
Carbonate,
Gluconate
Malate,
Hydroxyappetite,
Citrate etc..