# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H)

Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H)

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 B7 is an essential sulfur-containing water-soluble vitamin serving as a prosthetic group for five carboxylase enzymes in gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. Adequate Intake (AI) is 30 µg/day (no Upper Limit established).

View full Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

9 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Nutrient Type
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte Water-Soluble Ureido-Tetrahydrothiophene Vitamin
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
3,400 mg / day (Men) / 2,600 mg / day (Women) (WHO Target: >3,510 mg/day) 30 µg / day (35 µg during lactation)
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) None Established (No adverse effects recorded)
Chemical Forms
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate D-Biotin (Biologically active isomer), Biocytin (Biotinyl-lysine)
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 Prosthetic group for Pyruvate Carboxylase (Gluconeogenesis), Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (Fatty acid synthesis), Propionyl-CoA Carboxylase, Histone biotinylation
Deficiency Condition
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension Alopecia (Hair loss), Erythematous scaly periorofacial rash, Brittle nails, Neurological depression / hallucinations
Top Whole Food Sources
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water Egg Yolk, Beef Liver, Salmon, Pork Chop, Sunflower Seeds, Almonds, Sweet Potatoes
Dietary Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio
Ancestral human ratio was 1:4 (Na:K); modern Western diets average 2:1, significantly contributing to hypertension
Raw Egg White (Avidin) Interaction
Raw egg albumen contains avidin glycoprotein which binds biotin with Kd ~10^-15 M (the strongest non-covalent bond known), completely blocking absorption unless cooked