Diabetes Risk and Potassium

Friday, November 26, 2010

Greetings! I am a 2nd year ND student at Bastyr University and I am excited that I have this opportunity to offer you tantalizing tidbits of nutrition research in my monthly blog.

A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine recently caught my attention. According to the study published in the October 25 edition, serum potassium levels are an independent predictor of Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Specifically, low serum potassium levels may lead to an increased risk for the development of diabetes mellitus. The investigators analyzed data from 12,209 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study, and found that serum potassium levels lower than 5.0 mEq/L were associated with a significantly higher risk of incident DM compared with a serum level greater than 5.0 mEq/L. This study, as many do, raises more questions than it answers. For example, higher serum potassium levels are typically found in individuals who consume more potassium-rich fruits and vegetables.

So is it the potassium itself that lowers the risk of diabetes mellitus or is it the other nutrients typically found in the fruits and vegetables that could provide the protective benefit?

In the study, the investigators make reference to a few studies that begin to shed light on a possible answer. Based on these references, they conclude that ‘serum potassium levels affect insulin secretion by pancreatic B-cells, and hypokalemia associated with diuretic use has been associated with dysglycemia.’ The investigators also mention that ‘while a direct relationship between serum potassium and glucose metabolism is possible, as evidenced by these studies, other potential mediators of this relationship, such as aldosterone, should be considered.’ Unfortunately, the aldosterone and other hormone levels of the participants were not available. More research needs to be done to determine the physiological mechanism of the dysglycemia observed in the participants with hypokalemia. Clinical trials are also needed to determine if a potassium-rich diet and/or the use of potassium supplements could in fact reduce your future risk of developing Type II Diabetes. Until a definitive conclusion is found, it is best to ensure that you, your family and your patients are getting adequate potassium levels from a diet rich in whole food nutrients.

Reference:

Arch Intern Med. 2010 Oct 25;170(19):1745-51

posted by Innate Response at

7:47 AM

Diabetes Risk and Potassium

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