Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin A (Retinol & Beta-Carotene)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Vitamin A (Retinol & Beta-Carotene)
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).
Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble isoprenoid comprising preformed retinol and provitamin A carotenoids. Adult RDA is 900 µg RAE (men) / 700 µg RAE (women), with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 3,000 µg/day preformed retinol, essential for rhodopsin retinal photoreception, epithelial differentiation, and immune cell proliferation.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte | Fat-Soluble Isoprenoid Vitamin |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) | 3,000 µg / day (10,000 IU) (Preformed retinol only; no UL for beta-carotene) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate | Retinyl Palmitate (Preformed Animal), All-Trans Retinol, Beta-Carotene (Plant Provitamin) |
|
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 | 11-cis-retinal rhodopsin visual cycle, RAR/RXR nuclear receptor gene transcription, Mucosal barrier immunity |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension | Nyctalopia (Night blindness), Xerophthalmia, Bitot's spots, Keratinization of mucous membranes |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water | Beef Liver, Cod Liver Oil, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Spinach, Curly Kale, Butter |
|
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 | — |
|
Adult RDA / RDI
|
— | 900 µg RAE / day (Men) / 700 µg RAE / day (Women) |
|
Hepatic Storage
|
— | 80–90% of total body Vitamin A is stored in hepatic stellate cells as retinyl esters |
Other Alternatives to Compare
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Calcium (Elemental Ca) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Iodine (Elemental I) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Iron (Heme & Non-Heme) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Magnesium (Elemental Mg) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Selenium (Elemental Se) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Sodium (Elemental Na) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B3 (Niacin / Nicotinic Acid & Nicotinamide) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B9 (Folate & Folic Acid) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) →
Compare Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Zinc (Elemental Zn) →