Potassium Gluconate

[mkathy6]

After reading some threads about supplements, i thought with my water intake that I should add Potassuim to my supplements.

Went to the pharmacy and all I could find was potassium gluconate. What is gluconate? Sounds like sugar to me. Before I take it I want to find out for sure that it is not.

Anyone know? Thanks!! :)

[Natrushka]

Originally posted by mkathy6
What is gluconate? Sounds like sugar to me. Before I take it I want to find out for sure that it is not. Through the magic of the "SEARCH" function on this site I found this by Doreen:

Dextrose and lactose are often used as "carriers" for some supplements ... the intestine is able to absorb them more efficiently with a tiny bit of carb present. The amount is very small, usually less than ¼ of a gram. Some lowcarbers count 1g carb for all their supplements, just to be safe.

Nat

[MAC Artist]

I use "NO salt" substitute when cooking. Its a sodium free "salt" that really is a potassium salt. It contains potassium. You might want to give it a try. It makes dishes tasty and you'll avoid getting too much sodium if u replace your salt shaker with it. I think with all the supplements we're advised to take like EFA oil, vit C, vit B complex, a multi, flax, folic acid, in my case I need to take iron, mag and calcium and VIt E that it might feel overwhelming when u have to gulp all those down . At least u can have one less pill to take if you use the salt substitute. Just a suggestion!

Piera

[mkathy6]

Thanks for your replies!

I friend uses the No salt and really likes it. I don't use salt often but I'll pick that up to be prepared.

Looks like my supplements are going to cost be a carb - I have never counted them before.

I'm taking a multi vitamin, a calcuim magnisium and zinc and now potassium. Do I need more, the multi has everything except iron?

[MAC Artist]

Try to get yourself an EFA ( essential fatty acid) supplement. YOu'll find it at health food stores. Get one that has both Omega 3 and 6 oils. I like to take one from the compnay SISU that has a variety of oils flaz, borage, primrose, fish . Its great for skin, hair, your blood, and i find salmon cravings help me with cravings!! give it a try

Piera

[doreen T]

hi kathy,

Don't worry ... gluconate is not a carb :) It's a chelate, which is a special type of molecule bound to minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium which helps them to be better absorbed from the digestive tract. It's a good thing ;) Gluconate comes from gluconic acid, which is a mild organic acid found in plants and animals.

Just be sure to note how much elemental potassium the pill actually provides. Potassium gluconate "usually" comes as a 650mg dose ... which provides 99mg elemental potassium :) The rest is gluconate.

hth,

Doreen