Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP)

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

Comparing:

Potassium (Elemental K)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP)

Highlight Diffs (10)

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 →

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP) →

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble pyridine vitamin acting via its active coenzyme Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (PLP) in over 140 amino acid decarboxylation, transamination, and neurotransmitter synthesis reactions. Adult RDA is 1.3–1.7 mg, with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 100 mg/day.

View full Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	Potassium (Elemental K)	Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP)
Nutrient Type	Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte	Water-Soluble Pyridine Vitamin
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)	None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction)	100 mg / day (US FDA/NIH) / 12 mg / day (EFSA, revised down from 25mg in 2023) (Avoid sensory peripheral neuropathy)
Chemical Forms	Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate	Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (PLP, active coenzyme), Pyridoxine HCl, Pyridoxamine
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	Transamination / deamination of amino acids, Serotonin / Dopamine / GABA synthesis from amino acids, Glycogen phosphorylase cofactor, Heme synthesis
Deficiency Condition	Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension	Microcytic sideroblastic anemia, Seborrheic dermatitis, Cheilosis, Peripheral neuropathy, Convulsions
Top Whole Food Sources	Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water	Chickpeas, Wild Salmon, Yellowfin Tuna, Beef Liver, Chicken Breast, Russet Potatoes, Bananas
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	—	1.3 mg / day (Adults 19–50) / 1.7 mg (Men 51+) / 1.5 mg (Women 51+)
Neurotoxicity Threshold	—	Chronic megadosing of Pyridoxine HCl (>200–500mg/day) causes reversible sensory neuropathy due to competitive inhibition of tissue PLP

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Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP)

Specification Comparison Table

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