Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Sodium (Elemental Na)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Sodium (Elemental Na)
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).
Sodium is the principal extracellular cation (135–145 mEq/L extracellular), maintaining extracellular fluid volume, plasma osmolality, and driving secondary active transport. Adequate Intake (AI) is 1,500 mg/day, with a Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) limit of 2,300 mg/day.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte | Essential Macromineral / Major Extracellular Electrolyte |
|
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
|
3,400 mg / day (Men) / 2,600 mg / day (Women) (WHO Target: >3,510 mg/day) | 1,500 mg / day (Equal to 3.8 g table salt NaCl) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate | Sodium Chloride (NaCl, 39.3% Na by weight), Monosodium Glutamate (MSG, 12.3% Na), Sodium Bicarbonate (27.4% Na) |
|
Primary Biological Function
|
Na+/K+-ATPase resting membrane potential (-70mV), Cardiac myocardial repolarization, Endothelial nitric oxide vasodilation (lowers blood pressure), Blunts sodium-induced fluid retention | Extracellular fluid osmolality maintenance, Blood pressure / volume homeostasis, Action potential depolarization (voltage-gated Na+ channels), SGLT1 glucose cotransport |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension | Hyponatremia (Serum Na+ < 135 mmol/L): Cerebral edema, Nausea, Muscle cramps, Seizures, Coma (often exercise-associated from over-hydration) |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water | Table Salt (NaCl), Cured Bacon, Soy Sauce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pickles, Olives, Bread (Processed food accounts for 70% of intake) |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) | — |
|
Dietary Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio
|
Ancestral human ratio was 1:4 (Na:K); modern Western diets average 2:1, significantly contributing to hypertension | — |
|
Chronic Disease Limit (CDRR)
|
— | 2,300 mg / day (Equal to 5.8 g table salt / 1 level teaspoon) |
|
Renal Renin-Angiotensin System
|
— | Juxtaglomerular apparatus senses low tubular sodium/pressure, secreting renin to stimulate aldosterone and renal Na+ reabsorption |
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