I am trying to relieve some minor muscle aches by taking Potassium-
My daily multi only has 2% daily value. The additional tablet I am taking has 3%. I don't think that is gonna cut it- but I don't want to over do it either. Anyone out there know how much to take??? Thanks!

Hi there,

Potassium may be useful for muscle weakness but for actual muscle aches you may find L-Glutamine more helpful.

The Drs Eades (authors of Protein Power) suggest that early in low carbing an extra 400mg potassium daily is a good idea.
If you take the tablets, they should be taken in divided doses, and with food, as they may otherwise cause stomach irritation.

Are you drinking plenty of water? You will especially need plenty while taking potassium.

One more thing: People who are taking tablets for high blood pressure or fluid tablets should not take potassium supplements without first checking with their pharmacist.

L-Glutamine is very useful at preventing muscle aches when weightlifting or exercising heavily.

Have a look at the info Trainerdan gives here.

Rosebud

I find magnesium works best for me for muscle aches. I have fibromyalgia and my accupuncturist told me to take enough chelated magnesium to give me the 'squirts' then back off 200 mg. I take a LOT of magnesium as I apparently have a deficiency, but it took 2200mg/day to start with to get my deficiency under control. I now take between 800-1200mg/day. I tend to vary it according to what my bowels say! (You can also get magnesium by adding epsom salts to the bath and your skin will absorb what you need) But I know I feel much much better taking magnesium than taking potassium. If I feel I need potassium I just eat pistachios. FYI they have twice the potassium of bananas or orange juice and I can HAVE pistachios, but not fruits.

Note: If you are taking high blood pressure medication it may be dangerous to supplement potassium. Be careful.

I guess that my musles are not aching- they just feel like they are 'tired?' In the beginning of my workouts my legs feel like they have been working out for a long time already- it's kind of hard to get moving. I had been an exerciser before this WOE, and my leg muscles never felt like this then. Just slow- and groggy. As if there was cement poured in there!

Any more advise?

Hello, I had the exact same feeling, I think you'll find Potassium will be a great help. ( as long as you are not on High blood pressure "drugs") Just water pills, my doctor said to also take 550 mg of Potassium, since I'm not eating the one banana a day he had precribed, pre Atkins. Which by the way I blame the last 5-6 pounds I put on (pre Atkins),

Good Luck Kathy

One supplement book that I looked at indicates that potassium is abundant in food. Magnesium, however, is often lacking in ones diet. Low magnesium can cause muscle cramps.

I bought a different supplement/vitamin book and it indicates that it is quite possible to have a potassium deficiency particularly with heavy exercise.....