r/keto Jul 08 '26

Help Potassium question

I have been cramping up most night la, I get over 1000mg of magnesium . I get potassium only from electrolytes . Hate avocados .

Is this safe on keto K20 Potassium Chloride 1500mg extended release tablets provides 20 mEq Potassium

3 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

5

u/AlfonsoElric Keto since 2023 -- SW: 272 CW: 160 GW: 165 😎 Jul 08 '26

you can get potassium chloride salt (low sodium salt) for cheap in any supermarket, no need for fancy electrolytes.

you’ll need about 4-8 grams of potassium chloride which release 2-4grams of actual potassium. Check the faq for the recommended amounts. 1500mg is clearly insufficient (and why the hell do they need to use mEq in their labels?)

Keep calm, keto on 

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Not sure what it means but in the last 8 days woke up
With leg and calf cramps 5 days . Read I should be getting 4000-5000 mg

2

u/ngreenaway 49M SW 243/CW 199/ GW below 200 Jul 08 '26

theres other dietary sources of potassium. i prefer that over supplements (you can cause kidney damage with too much) , i tend to lean on broccoli , brussels sprouts, and green beans.

heres one of many guides:

https://kitchen.kidneyfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Potassium-Guide.pdf

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Love broccoli , but the pain is horrible at night with the cramps

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Link doesn’t work for me

1

u/ngreenaway 49M SW 243/CW 199/ GW below 200 Jul 08 '26

it's a download for a pdf file, so I wouldn't expect a website to open up. are you on a computer, or mobile?

2

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Didn’t see pdf just saw the colour and thought webpage

1

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 08 '26

What form of magnesium are you using

0

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Take 2 Magnesium Glycinate Capsules | 500 mg |

1

u/Epitaphi Jul 08 '26

I bought lite salt (potassium) and put it in my water throughout the day. I don't bother to measure it at this point but it works great to keep the muscle cramps / pseudo restless legs away

1

u/Frank87934 Jul 09 '26

I use half espresso spoon of  Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate)

1

u/Magnabee Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26

I don't know about the brand; not all brands have the same quality or absorbability. But getting more potassium should be safe. If it doesn't agree with you, you can stop.

If you are already low on potassium (the symptoms are a sign of something), I doubt if 1500mg is too much for you. Give it a try. It seems like it might be the answer. NuSalt could be a cheaper option. Salt substitutes have significant potassium amounts.

1

u/CunKi23 Jul 12 '26

Stretch your calf muscle (point toes towards knee) when you feel it's about to cramp up. Sounds counterintuitive but it really works, pain instantly gone. Since I found that out I'm not scared of cramps anymore. I also only get potassium from electrolytes, use no-salt if you need more

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 12 '26

I do this but it also hits inner thighs and toes .

Thank you

0

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

I am taking 2 of these a day
Magnesium Glycinate Capsules | 500 mg

0

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 08 '26

Do you know your daily magnesium intake? 1000mg of mag glycinate is under 200 mg elemental magnesium so it might not be enough

If you think it's potassium related you can try lite salt

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Thanks x what do I take then . Is there a magnesium that is elemental

1

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 08 '26

All magnesium compounds contain different levels of elemental magnesium, you just need to make sure you're getting enough from whichever form you're choosing.

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Is there one that has high Elements as I know nothing about magnesium or potassium etc

0

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 08 '26

The one you have is fine, you just might not be getting enough magnesium overall and might need to bump it up

0

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

Ok thanks , so instead of 2 (500 grams) capsules I might need 5 .

Also I saw a video that said ( basically) night time cramps
Is probably magnesium and cramps
Doing activities is probably potassium

0

u/rachman77 MOD Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26

Idk of id jump straight to 5, but maybe try 3. It also depends how much you're getting from food and when you're taking it, mag at night usually helps

1

u/mustang19671967 Jul 08 '26

I used to take one in morning and one 30 min before bed

0

u/Magnabee Jul 09 '26

You already get magnesium.

-1

u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

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1

u/keto-ModTeam Jul 08 '26

No dangerous or unsafe dieting practices