Is potassium more important than sodium?

Advice for everyone to eat low salt diets is misguided and unhelpful for the majority of people. A new study helps highlight the futility of this advice and shows that getting enough potassium is likely more important than focusing on sodium and salt intake. Here are the take home messages for you.
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[@JYAN2852]

Most potassium and magnesium are in the cells. Serum tests for these are almost always normal. Hypertension is usually due to potassium and/or magnesium deficiencies. Not to mention when people eat globs of carbs, potassium gets sucked out of cells to create glycogen. Potassium is needed to link long chains of glucose. Do not lower salt/sodium. Increase potassium and magnesium instead

[@goddesstc]

100%!

[@JimWooddell]

Exactly. You would think doctors would know this.

[@JYAN2852]

@@JimWooddell I have come to understand that without their presription pad most doctors are ueseless. For chronic and preventative illnesses anyway

[@guitaristbeginner1224]

Hi, is 400 mg magnesium supplement safe?

[@JYAN2852]

@@guitaristbeginner1224 It varies from person to person. Keep in mind that supplements are chelated or bound to other molecules for absorption purposes. Focus on "elemental" amount of magnesium. Dr Carolyn Dean has many good videos explaining magnesium

[@oldschoolprepper2273]

If you’re a carb burner you hold on to salt and if you are a fat burner you shed salt and need more

[@davidrodgers4760]

Nonsense read The Bear owsley.salt is crap as,are supplements

[@mmabagain]

@@davidrodgers4760 Nonsense.

[@thomashughes4859]

I take a pinch of salt every morning, and I eat salt to taste. My BP is ~100/60. 💪😎👍💯♥️ I'm 55.

[@ai.activezone]

Good keep continue

[@cfoster6804]

Then you're getting enough potassium.

[@zerocarbdoc]

Love when Bret commits and tells it straight.

[@JimWooddell]

Finally! Someone talking about this!!!! I was salt sensitive. My blood pressure easily spiked. Blood tests showed normal potassium levels. However, I knew electrolytes are very tightly regulated in the body and blood testing was missing the issue. I increased my potassium intake and I am no longer salt sensitive and my BP is down and stable. In the natural world of a carnivore, potassium to sodium ratio is not equal and can be as high as a 4 to 1 ratio....4 parts potassium to 1 part salt. This is fact, not opinion. Look at any meat and you will see at least a 2 to 1 ratio. So... Why do electrolyte supplements have it backwards???? The way our body works is we need more potassium than salt. This is also a scientific fact in the way potassium and salt work together in the body. There are only a few electrolyte manufacturers that have a proper human intake ratio. And those pushing the sale of electrolytes to the carnivore communities will not talk about it. I firmly believe based on my own experience if potassium store are low in the body, even though blood tests say it is okay, is when people begin to have pressure issues. It goes very deep into the science on how the body uses, regulates potassium and where it gets it from. There are many KZbin pages that clearly explain the potassium and salt relationship. Do we loose more salt than potassium? Did nature get it wrong? No one listens.

[@JimWooddell]

@Anthony Stewart Keep in mind how potassium and salt works in the body. The ratio in a cell is 2 parts potassium to 1 part salt. To add to this, even the RDA levels are about 2 to 1.

[@davedelzell9614]

@Anthony Stewart Quinn PC

[@davidrodgers4760]

Agree.im carnivore. Don't like fatty ribeyes, or salt.

[@candyalexander2196]

Can u share what potassium u chose to take

[@JimWooddell]

@@candyalexander2196 Me? The wife and I started out on Potassium Gluconate and then migrated to Potassium Citrate. My wife said the Potassium Citrate bothered her gut. I also used No Salt which is Potassium Chloride and Potassium Bitartrate. I made my own pills with it at 640mg per pill. This was early on in my diet change to total carnivore. Now, I try not to take any electrolyte supplements and just use electrolyte drops in my water every morning and just salt my meat at least a couple hours before cooking it. I might take a couple potassium pills a week just because I worry about my stores in my body I think once your body adjusts to carnivore, there is not much need for electrolyte supplements but that is just my opinion. They mostly just empty your wallet!

[@taginn790]

I avoid salt with anti-caking agents, such as yellow prussiate of soda, as those agents seem to cause edema for me, whereas pure salt does not. So if 'salt' causes edema for, maybe it's not the salt per se.

[@AP-nx6xo]

Salt causes edema in my ankles I started k2. I’m hoping it’s not k2

[@siriusfun]

Redmond Real Salt - as much as I feel like - puts me right.

[@iang3728]

Informative and cited videos are my jam ❤

[@BonjourCoco1]

I’ve started combining Redmonds salt with Losalt (which is high in potassium chloride) to ensure I get adequate potassium

[@ai.activezone]

Good keep continue

[@cfoster6804]

He is so right. I stopped bp pills and told my cardiologist I want to make lifestyle changes instead. I changed my bad habits and got results but noticed that when I took my potassium prescription my BP and heart rate looked great. I'm now focused on getting it through diet and supplement. I see results quickly!

[@zamfirtoth6441]

Not only are we warned to stay away from salt, but we are told to consume 8 or so glasses of water daily. I wonder how many of the folks that carry around a water bottle like it's an appendage end up with late day fatigue. I love RealSalt.

[@JYAN2852]

Overhydration depletes sodium and other electrolytes. We keep getting horrible harmful advice.

[@cfoster6804]

​@@JYAN2852Yep!

[@sherbear8097]

Ty great information

[@vidviewer100]

Thanks again !

[@DiarioCarnivoro]

Great video!

[@richardmiddleton7770]

Also depends how much you workout and therefore sweat and also your sweat rate.

[@ronbarber197]

Most people get from a box doctor don't have time to explain this so they make a blanket statement (no salt) it is 300 bucks for 15 min so they just don't have the time

[@fsabbagh]

Would love to hear about your thoughts on Pro-Metabolic “diet”

[@andrewplus]

Great info as always, appreciate this. Wondering what the best strategy for raising magnesium would be? What sources are most bio available? Seems like a lot of plant sources aren’t that bio available.

[@DrAJ_LatinAmerica]

And don't forget, with any food you never know the exact amount or lack or any micronutrient. Some foods are reported to have magnesium (just an example), but when tested in a lab, no magnesium was found, this can be a result of the area and ground / soil where grown, "hot house" grown verse outside in natural sun and water supply.... If low, best to supplement. A mix of L-Threonate, glycinate and Taurate very digestible/ bio available. Dosage varies greatly person to person based on many factors: age, race, activity levels, sleep patterns, lifestyle, goals, present health status, past history/ family history, present diet, food quality,.......

[@drirene57]

Magnesium glycinate 100mg, 2 tabs about an hour before bedtime (helps sleep). Magnesium citrate as needed for constipation.

[@lindass5966]

@@drirene57 magnesium glycinate gave me shortness of breath.

[@finagill]

I know that since starting keto I need to take at least 7,000 mg of sodium a day. I take plenty of potassium as well.

[@3cardmonty602]

I get AFIB if I eat processed food that has high sodium, ie Canned Soup & Frozen Pizza. Real bad stuff. I found an organic Soybean Pasta that Aldi sells that supplies 1100mg of Potassium per serving. And it’s great tasting.

[@Jack-hy1zq]

I put a pinch of Himalayan salt in my tea 6-8 times per day. I also sprinkle my one meal a day with salt. My BP is 110/70!

[@ai.activezone]

Himalayan salt is good

[@fredsmit3481]

Did they measure serum potassium and how does the results affect the guidelines relating to potassium? I added potassium salt to my water, but measured high, outside the recommended serum potassium levels. My doctor told me to stop adding potassium salt to my water and my serum levels went back to normal.

[@pointshealthcoaching8474]

Dr David Brownstein's book 'Salt you way to health'.... explains it well... + if your insulin is high it causes kidney to hold on to sodium and refined salt is always problematic....

[@ai.activezone]

Exactly

[@pong4life]

Salt makes food tasty, and my blood pressure is great even with all the salt I take. Romans cometimes used salt as currency, which means they knew how important salt is.

[@ai.activezone]

Excess of everything is harmful

[@sifelaver]

take a look at any plain salted potato chip nutrition label. the sodium to potassium ratio is about 1:1!

[@karunamayiholisticinc]

I have been found low on sodium and potassium before. I know people who needed sodium injected because of being too low. But salt should be avoided in outside processed foods. I usually add enough salt in my food. But I have seen when others cook your food there is either days of literally no salt no taste and need to add more or other days when there is too much that it is poison to taste buds as well. When someone doesn't have to eat your food and cooking for others they will not know right quantity. There are many days i added extra Himalayan salt to my food when I start living with my mom because she doesn't have concept of how much to add. Even in her home made snacks I have to be strict with her so she doesn't ruin it. She is very careful not to overdo on those. But salt should be according to taste. The fact that people cooking for others will either add too much or too less, it is ideal to add a little less and let people add on top as they require. Because when you eat your rice and all you taste is salt it is nothing but poison to our taste buds also. You have to hate someone to give them such food. Not saying my mother hates me but definitely people are ignorant and don't want to listen. I am not against salt considering my blood pressure is usually very low mostly and I have been detected low on sodium before but I will not opt for refined salt any day except washing my mouth. I will eat Himalayan salt as much as I like and my tastebuds can handle. The problem with salt is when it I refined and added to processed foods. One eating whole foods of any kind can add salt upto their taste. I can't handle no salt food either. Many times I have added on top. Which is why I feel salt should be people's preference. Everyone's body tells them how much to eat and when to stop. The problem with MOST processed foods is that it is addictive and even if body tells us to stop mind does not want to. Whether it is processed bread from store or processed noodles. I do eat very small quantity of home made millet bread at times but I can never get addicted to it as i did when I used used eat market bread. It is not just not the same taste or even texture. Everything added in store makes a huge difference. Anyways salt is individual preference. I have to yell at my mom for both NO salt and too much salt because both are poison to me because my body needs certain things and it knows it which is why I think it is good to add little while cooking and let people add on to as to their taste. It is not salt it is how it is present in processed foods the problem. Our body is our best guide. When I ever eat a processed biscuit once in a while at all I end up throwing it too which is something people will not notice because our eyes tend to see what it wants to. Our body tells us that we need some salt, good fats whether from plants or animals but only whole food sources and not processed food sources whether plants or animals. If we listen we know what we need.

[@protoword10]

WORNING! To all viewers, I used potassium salt, one avocado a day, than, when I visited my doctor for yearly check up, my eGFR drops from 120 to 65! I was scared for my kidneys and doctor told me: Stop taking so much potassium! I did it and my eGFR come back…

[@alffree4985]

eGFR ?..... Meaning what? Thanks.

[@protoword10]

@@alffree4985 Filtering Rate for your kidneys. If is it below 60, your kidneys not works so well…

[@alffree4985]

@@protoword10 Thanks. What about the avocado? Did you eliminate from your daily intake?

[@protoword10]

@@alffree4985 I didn’t, just shrink dawn on one half or quoter of it, depend on my meal, but I was carreful about other food containing potasium…

[@ryanmozert]

whats potassium salt

[@georgeholman6745]

End users need more science-based input on this topic. Oh, and an explanation of why the FDA limits Potassium supplements to 99mg and then tells you, 'You need 4700mg per day' (WTF?). The only food that will provide the average KETO individual with 4700mg of potassium/day are tubers, grains...etc. and/or electrolyte supplements (the food source is not KETO acceptable, and the electrolyte supplements are CRAZY expensive). My opinion is there is no way in Hell on a KETO diet that you can consume 4700mg of potasium!!!

[@HappilyCarnivore]

I don't seem to absorb potassium from vegetables at all. I was very deficient in potassium and had to start supplementing. I buy potassium gluconate powder and add it to my water. I get a little over 4700mg that way. I would have to take fist fulls of potassium pills to get that much. I was taking a bit more than that, but I switched to carnivore a year ago and was able to reduce the amount I used. I was hoping I could reduce it completely, but when I try and cut back further my symptoms come back.

[@JYAN2852]

Some ppl actually take too much potassium supps can create heart issues as a result that's why. I take electrolytes powder to get around the 99mg limit. But I try to get potass and magnesium thru foods first

[@georgeholman6745]

@@JYAN2852 I would love to get it thru food also, but I can't eat that much in a day... I would have to eat a half dozen whole potatoes to get even close to half the recommended FDA dose. Oh, and KETO folks don't eat potatoes - Catch-22.

[@JYAN2852]

@@georgeholman6745 4700mg is way too high based on personal anecdote. I am 5-8 medium build 160lbs eat mostly beef and maybe a cup of electrolytes 1000mg potass citrate (containing only about 300-400mg elemental potass). No energy issues and blood pressure is a perfect 110/60

[@x.y.7385]

@@JYAN2852 what brand of electrolytes do you take?

[@gwenj5419]

My husband has AFib and when he tried keto, his Afib incidents greatly increased (from once in 2months to 4 times in one month.) Could this be lack of potassium?

[@gypsypath1]

That or magnesium, which I recently learned helps control the ability of potassium to get into cells. I get PVCs, so this is something I try to understand as well.

[@amyrevis9239]

I have stage 3a kidney disease and have been told to keep sodium and potassium to 2,000 mg a day. Since I’ve been in keto I just wonder if I’m getting enough. I get leg and foot cramps at night. I’m taking some magnesium and it’s helping.

[@ryanmozert]

just eat a teaspoon of cream of tartar w/ spring water each mornin. in two weeks your kidney disease will evaporate into thin air. gone. forever!❤❤

[@toni4729]

My only salt is sea salt and I use it in abundance. Being almost carnivore I find it a necessity.

[@ai.activezone]

Good

[@sgeorg80]

👍

[@rogerwilcojr]

I'd be interested in if the lower blood pressure associated with higher potassium intake is inversely associated with a higher pulse. I recall having read that a low sodium diet produces a higher heart beat that is overall worse for you than an elevated blood pressure.

[@JYAN2852]

Yes bc sodium is used by kidneys to regulate water in the blood. Low blood volume activates adrenals to make heart pump faster to get blood up to the brain

[@JimWooddell]

Not in my case.

[@goddesstc]

Yes, the standard american diet of processed food is high sodium and low potassium. Balance the two and no problem.

[@ai.activezone]

Try to follow low sodium diet meal

[@rashie]

👍👍

[@ut561]

good information I think but you bounced around so much it was hard to follow. For example we don't need to know "absence of proof is not proof of absence". what in the world does that mean? and do we really need to hear it?

[@PistolPete3322]

What potassium supplement should I take? How many mg's?

[@ai.activezone]

when considering a potassium supplement, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized advice based on your health needs. They can recommend the appropriate dosage and type of supplement based on your medical history and any potential interactions with other medications you might be taking

[@PistolPete3322]

@@ai.activezone thanks but I won’t go to a doctor for nutritional advice. They still don’t recommend keto or low carb for type 2 diabetes. They’re a joke.

[@ryanmozert]

​@@ai.activezonecream of tartar

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

Answer: Morton Lite Salt...half sodium and half potassium. When I "salt" my food, I am using moderate salt (because what is sprinkling down is only half salt) and I am getting potassium.

[@x.y.7385]

How do you tell if you are salt sensitive ?

[@JimWooddell]

Blood pressure will spike more than normal when you ingest it.

[@ai.activezone]

Salt sensitivity refers to an individual's susceptibility to changes in blood pressure due to variations in salt intake. You can determine if you are salt-sensitive by monitoring your blood pressure when you consume different levels of salt. If your blood pressure increases significantly when you consume high-sodium foods and decreases when you reduce sodium intake, you may be salt-sensitive. However, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for accurate assessment and advice.

[@CC-iq2pe]

Why do table salts not include potassium salts?

[@philthompson1097]

"Lo Salt" is 50/50

[@drirene57]

It doesn’t taste as good.

[@ai.activezone]

Table salt primarily consists of sodium chloride (NaCl), which is the compound responsible for the salty taste. While potassium chloride can also be used as a salt substitute, it has a slightly bitter taste and might not provide the same flavor enhancement that sodium chloride does. Additionally, some individuals may need to limit their potassium intake due to specific medical conditions, so having a standard table salt without potassium chloride ensures that people can control their sodium and potassium intake separately. However, there are salt blends available that combine sodium chloride with potassium chloride for those looking to reduce sodium intake while increasing potassium intake. Always consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

[@Johneseed]

Listened to this and now even more confused as to go high, low, or just continue. Not very helpful!😖

[@JYAN2852]

Dont worry about salt intake listen to your palate. Increase potassium and mangnesium instead thru foods or supplements. Electrolytes need a good balance for optimal bodily and cellular function

[@JimWooddell]

Salt is not normally a concern in the diet of Americans. We, as a whole, get plenty of sodium and chloride in our diets. This includes carnivores and ketovores. However, potassium in the American diet is generally found to be low, as a whole. That said, I question why people think they need supplements if they are eating a proper human diet??? I understand every body has different needs.

[@JimWooddell]

Morton salt adds dextrose to keep the added iodine from evaporating out.

[@DarthNoshitam]

Is meat really a "great potassium source"?

[@godzilla4189]

Yes, actually. I actually looked it up, amd meat on average has more potassium then most vegetables aside from Leafy greens.

[@taginn790]

16oz sirloin steak or 16oz pork chops is about 1500mg of potassium.

[@DarthNoshitam]

@@godzilla4189 so meat is relatively a great potassium source, but is it also empirically a great potassium source?

[@DarthNoshitam]

@@godzilla4189 wow that's pretty good!

[@DrAJ_LatinAmerica]

@@taginn790 maybe or maybe not. Depends on the animals and conditions it lived. Test in a lab, ten pieces, from ten different cows all raised in different conditions and results would vary greatly

[@TheReader6]

I have 10g of sodium per day. I have low blood pressure.

[@JYAN2852]

Are you getting in enough potassium and magnesium?

[@JYAN2852]

Consider temporary high dose B1 benfotiamine. Elliot Overton EOnutrition channel has good vids explaining strange conditions that can be resolved using simply B1 and other cofactors

[@ronbarber197]

What we do without plants hmmmm half the world it's to cold to grow plants year round wonder how we made it without avocados or other so called healthy plants the vegans would say well you didn't live as long and that was true but that had nothing to do with diet

[@ronbarber197]

Only 3 salt sources in the world

[@ai.activezone]

Three major salt resources in the world are the salt mines in Khewra, Pakistan; the Salar de Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia; and the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA.

[@ronbarber197]

Is this another epidemiology study???

[@CarbageMan]

99mg potassium supplements are stupid. You need to take half a dozen at a time for those to be useful. I fill my own gelcaps.

[@HappilyCarnivore]

I buy potassium gluconate powder and add it to my water.

[@MichaelLoweAttorney]

Salt is overrated in the low carb world

[@davidrodgers4760]

Agree.*SALT NOT NEEDED,AS IS PUSHING FATTY RIBEYE ON ZEROCARB CARNIVORE!