Potassium supplements can be used to offset the effects of osteoporosis. A number of studies on the effects of potassium on bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly men and premenopausal and postmenopausal women have concluded that there is a positive relationship between potassium consumption and BMD. Therefore, it can be deduced that a higher level of dietary potassium should be associated with a lower incidence of osteoporosis and other conditions directly related to bone mineral density.
It is well known that the diet in the USA, and elsewhere in the western world, is high in acidic foodstuffs such as meat, fish and cheeses, and low in the more alkaline foods such as vegetables and non-citrus fruits. It figures, therefore, that unless the modern American is prepared to change their dietary habits, a potassium supplement will be needed to redress this negative balance of the alkaline potassium.
If this is not done, and a normal pH is not maintained in the body, then calcium salts which are chemical bases, i.e. alkaline in nature, are generated from the bone structure in order to neutralize any excess acids taken in your diet or produced by your body’s metabolism. It is a simple acid-base balance whereby your bone calcium is used to neutralize excess acid caused by an insufficient intake of the alkaline potassium salts to do the same job.
Ultimately, your bone density is significantly reduced as its calcium is used up in neutralizing your acidic diet. You have to either change your dietary habits or take supplementary potassium to redress the balance. This is only one of the important acid-base reactions that are constantly taking place within your body, and for which potassium supplements might be necessary to control.
If dietary changes are hard to change, taking a dietary supplement of potassium may be simpler. Look for quality potassium supplements at your local or internet health food store in name brands like Solaray.