<P> The USDA lists tomato paste, orange juice, beet greens, white beans, potatoes, plantains, bananas, apricots, and many other dietary sources of potassium, ranked in descending order according to potassium content . A day's worth of potassium is in 5 plantains or 11 bananas . </P> <P> Diets low in potassium can lead to hypertension and hypokalemia . </P> <P> Supplements of potassium are most widely used in conjunction with diuretics that block reabsorption of sodium and water upstream from the distal tubule (thiazides and loop diuretics), because this promotes increased distal tubular potassium secretion, with resultant increased potassium excretion . A variety of prescription and over-the counter supplements are available . Potassium chloride may be dissolved in water, but the salty / bitter taste make liquid supplements unpalatable . Typical doses range from 10 mmol (400 mg), to 20 mmol (800 mg). Potassium is also available in tablets or capsules, which are formulated to allow potassium to leach slowly out of a matrix, since very high concentrations of potassium ion that occur adjacent to a solid tablet can injure the gastric or intestinal mucosa . For this reason, non-prescription potassium pills are limited by law in the US to a maximum of 99 mg of potassium . </P> <P> Since the kidneys are the site of potassium excretion, individuals with impaired kidney function are at risk for hyperkalemia if dietary potassium and supplements are not restricted . The more severe the impairment, the more severe is the restriction necessary to avoid hyperkalemia . </P>

Where does potassium in the body come from