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For adults the recommended daily intake of potassium is 4700 mg, but this is not set to prevent potassium deficiency (hypokalemia). Instead, "this level of dietary intake (i.e., from foods) should maintain lower blood pressure levels, reduce the adverse effects of sodium chloride intake on blood pressure, reduce the risk of recurrent kidney stones, and possibly decrease bone loss<ref name="RDA"/>." These benefits are largely from the bicarbonate and the other vegetable matter rather than from the potassium.
==Magnesium Deficiency==
Subjects who are deficient in both Potassium and [[Magnesium]] who are given just potassium supplements have normalized serum potassium levels, but not normalized muscle potassium until magnesium supplementation is also given<ref name="WhangWelt1963"/><ref name="Dyckner-1978"/>. Therefore, magnesium supplementation may be appropriate for those concerned about their potassium levels.
=How much potassium do we need?=
All adults should aim to get sufficient fruit and vegetables to ensure that they get the recommended intake of 4700 mg of potassium. However, as little as 580mg/day can prevent hypokalemia, though might cause insulin resistance<ref name="Norbiato-1984"/>. A study showed that healthy patients could maintain their potassium balance on 1600 mg per day, though they were at the lower end of the acceptable range<ref name="Sebastian-1971"/>.
* You should aim to eat fruit and vegetables that provide you with 4700 mg or more of potassium each day.
* Don't worry about potassium in your sports drink. It's far more important to get plenty of sodium, but a little potassium won't do any harm.
** If you're competing in a race where your fluid intake is very high, then potassium supplementation may become more important.
* [[Magnesium]] supplementation may be required as part of treating low potassium levels. (Magnesium deficiency is extremely common.)
* Be careful when recovering from a bout of nausea or diarrhea as this can cause life-threatening potassium deficiency.
* If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, please seek professional help.