Protective effects of high dietary potassium: nutritional and metabolic aspects. Demigne C, Sabboh H, Remesy C, Meneton P. Metabolic Diseases and Micronutriments Unit, INRA Theix/CRNH Clermont-Ferrand, 63122 St-Genes-Champanelle, France and. Potassium (K(+)) requirements have been largely overlooked because severe deficiencies are uncommon due to the ubiquity of this element in foods. However, a transition toward modern ("Westernized") diets has led to a substantial decline of K(+) intake compared with traditional food habits, and a large fraction of the population might now have suboptimal K(+) intake. A high K(+) intake was demonstrated to have protective effects against several pathologic states affecting the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and bones. Additionally, fruits and vegetables contain K/organic anion salts (malate, citrate), which exert alkalinizing effects, through KHCO(3)(-) generation, which serves to neutralize fixed acidity in urine. Low-grade metabolic acidosis, when not properly controlled, may exacerbate various catabolic processes (bone Ca(++) mobilization, proteolysis), especially in the elderly. Fruits and vegetables are therefore receiving great attention in a strategy to increase the nutritional value of meals while reducing energy density and intake. The need to ensure a 2.5- to 3.5-g daily K(+) supply from fruits and vegetables represents a strong rationale for the "5-10 servings per day" recommendations. J Nutr. 2004 Nov;134(11):2903-6. PMID: 15514249 [PubMed - in process] Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.