I picked up a container of the NoSalt and there is a warning that diabetics and persons with kidney disease should not use the product without consult. What would be the reason for that?

hi Shelley,

Indeed, I too have mentioned elsewhere on this board that persons with severe kidney disease or on certain types of blood pressure medication should likely not use the product at all.

Several things here - first, the "seek medical advice" is a common disclaimer, required by Canada's FDA for products sold as food, not "drug". Potassium sold as a supplement pill requires a D.I.N. identif'n, with specific (and costly) labelling. The caution is meant more as protection of the company from any reprisal resulting from consumer misuse of the product. Many products carry "seek medical advice before using" labels like this, including my box of SugarTwin and many fiber supplements. Even multi-vitamins, and children's chewables, which ARE considered "drugs" by the FDA, carry "on the advice of health provider" and "for therapeutic use only" or similar labelling.

Persons with severe kidney disease, ie, receiving medical treatment for it including dialysis or drug therapy tend to retain potassium, sodium and magnesium especially. When diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure/disease, your dr. would prescribe a special diet for you, and you'd be consulting a dietician for guidance on foods to avoid.

The warning for heart disease is very broad and general. For most heart and blood vessel conditions, potassium is very beneficial. Note that edema (fluid retention) is a condition of heart and blood vessels, not a sign of kidney problems, and it can be relieved by reducing sodium and increasing potassium. Certain types of blood pressure medication cause the kidneys to retain potassium, namely ace-inhibitors (captopril, enalopril, etc) and potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene --- these are rarely used anymore). Other types of diuretic ("fluid pills") are used for high blood pressure also, as well as edema; these will cause you to LOSE potassium --- in general, where water goes, potassium follows. Vomiting and watery diarrhea are other serious causes of potassium loss, especially for children!

The warning for diabetics is because many diabetics also have kidney and heart disease problems. Potassium has no direct effect on the diabetes, blood sugar or insulin.

The diuretic nature of lowcarbing, and ketosis especially causes you to lose potassium with the increased urine output. Fatigue, muscle aches and weakness, headaches are common signs of low potassium. If your kidneys are healthy, and you're not taking blood pressure pills, adding a little extra potassium will be helpful, and any excess you might consume will simply be excreted in the urine.

The daily requirement for potassium is 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day for healthy adults, so the amount I suggested, 1/8 tsp or 320 mg is small, and safe -- it's approx. how much potassium is in a banana, or glass of orange juice. Salmon and mackerel are good sources of potassium as well; most other meats and chicken are lower.

Check out The Natural Pharmacist http://www.tnp.com/substance.asp?ID=193 for more information about potassium.

hope this helps,

Doreen

Great, thank you for the info. I will try the NoSalt and see if it helps my headaches.