Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

Potassium Deficiency Causes Diabetes

Oct 12, 2023

06:33

Snipd AI

This podcast explores the impact of potassium on diabetes and high blood pressure. It discusses how diuretics deplete potassium, increasing the risk of diabetes, while ACE inhibitors increase potassium, lowering the risk. The benefits of potassium include protecting the kidneys, heart, and preventing diabetes. The podcast suggests consuming potassium-rich foods like leafy greens, potatoes, avocado, and electrolyte powder. It also highlights the importance of potassium in regulating blood pressure, glucose storage, insulin production, and preventing diabetic ketoacidosis.

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Potassium deficiency can trigger the onset of diabetes by hindering insulin release.

ACE inhibitors protect against diabetes by increasing potassium levels and preventing the loss of potassium.

Deep dives

The impact of potassium deficiency on diabetes

Potassium deficiency can trigger the onset of diabetes. Diuretics called thiazide diuretics, commonly used for hypertension, increase the risk of developing diabetes as they deplete potassium levels. On the other hand, ACE inhibitors, also used for blood pressure, protect against diabetes by increasing potassium levels. Low potassium levels hinder insulin release, leading to higher blood glucose and the development of diabetes.

Introduction

2min

The Importance of Potassium for Health and the Question of Drug Dependence

2min

The Significance of Potassium in Salt Sensitivity, Glucose Storage, and Insulin Production

2min

Today we're going to talk about how potassium affects diabetes and high blood pressure.

Diuretics are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. But, they come with side effects, including an increased risk of developing diabetes.

On the flip side, ace inhibitors, also used to treat high blood pressure, protect against diabetes and lower the risk of diabetes.

I believe the big difference between these two drugs, when it comes to diabetes risk, is what they do to potassium.

Diuretics deplete potassium, and without enough potassium, insulin can't be released very well. A deficiency of insulin can then lead to diabetes. Ace inhibitors increase potassium by helping to prevent the loss of potassium.

So why do we even need a drug—why aren't we just consuming more potassium? Many people support healthy blood pressure and healthy blood sugar levels by taking potassium.

Benefits of potassium:

• It protects the kidneys

• It protects the heart

• It helps protect against stroke

• It helps protect against diabetes

• It helps power the nervous system in connection with the muscles

• It helps regulate sodium

The RDAs for potassium are 4700 mg. It might surprise you, but bananas aren't a good source of potassium. A few of the best sources of potassium are:

• Leafy greens

• Potatoes

• Avocado

• Electrolyte powder