Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Calcium (Elemental Ca) vs. Potassium (Elemental K)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:

Calcium (Elemental Ca)

Potassium (Elemental K)

Highlight Diffs (10)

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body (1.0–1.2 kg), with 99% sequestered in hydroxyapatite bone lattice and 1% tightly regulated at 8.5–10.5 mg/dL serum for cardiac contractility, nerve signaling, and blood coagulation. Adult RDA is 1,000–1,200 mg/day.

View full Calcium (Elemental Ca) spec sheet →

Potassium (Elemental K) →

Potassium is the primary intracellular cation (140 mEq/L intracellular vs 4 mEq/L extracellular), maintaining the cellular resting membrane potential via the Na+/K+-ATPase pump and regulating vascular tone. Adequate Intake (AI) is 3,400 mg (men) / 2,600 mg (women).

View full Potassium (Elemental K) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	Calcium (Elemental Ca)	Potassium (Elemental K)
Nutrient Type	Essential Macromineral	Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)	2,500 mg / day (Adults 19–50) / 2,000 mg / day (Adults 51+) (Avoid nephrolithiasis / vascular calcification)	None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction)
Chemical Forms	Calcium Carbonate (40% elemental Ca / requires stomach acid), Calcium Citrate (21% elemental Ca / acid-independent), Hydroxyapatite	Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate
Primary Biological Function	Hydroxyapatite bone/dental structure [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2], Troponin-C actin-myosin muscle contraction, Factor IV blood clotting cascade, Exocytosis neurotransmitter release	Na+/K+-ATPase resting membrane potential (-70mV), Cardiac myocardial repolarization, Endothelial nitric oxide vasodilation (lowers blood pressure), Blunts sodium-induced fluid retention
Deficiency Condition	Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Rickets (children), Tetany (Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs of hypocalcemia)	Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension
Top Whole Food Sources	Parmigiano-Reggiano, Sharp Cheddar, Whole Milk, Sardines with bones, Kale, Tofu (Calcium-set), Fortified Plant Milk	Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water
Adult RDA / RDI	1,000 mg / day (Men 19–70, Women 19–50) / 1,200 mg (Women 51+, Men 71+)	—
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Homeostasis	Serum Ca2+ drop triggers PTH secretion, stimulating renal 1-alpha-hydroxylase to produce active Calcitriol (1,25-OH-D3) and osteoclast bone resorption	—
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)	—	3,400 mg / day (Men) / 2,600 mg / day (Women) (WHO Target: >3,510 mg/day)
Dietary Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio	—	Ancestral human ratio was 1:4 (Na:K); modern Western diets average 2:1, significantly contributing to hypertension

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Calcium (Elemental Ca) vs. Potassium (Elemental K)

Specification Comparison Table

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