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

Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)

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

Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)
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 →
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) →

Vitamin E is the principal fat-soluble peroxyl radical-scavenging antioxidant protecting cellular polyunsaturated membrane phospholipids. Adult RDA is 15 mg (22.4 IU) of d-alpha-tocopherol, with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 1,000 mg (1,500 IU)/day.

View full Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Potassium (Elemental K)
Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol)
Nutrient Type
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte Fat-Soluble Chromanol Lipophilic Vitamin
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) 1,000 mg / day (1,500 IU synthetic) (Excess impairs Vitamin K clotting cascade)
Chemical Forms
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate RRR-alpha-Tocopherol (Natural d-alpha), all-rac-alpha-Tocopherol (Synthetic dl-alpha), Gamma/Delta-Tocopherols
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 Breaks lipid peroxidation chain in PUFA cell membranes, protects LDL from oxidative modification, maintains erythrocyte membrane integrity
Deficiency Condition
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension Hemolytic anemia, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Peripheral neuropathy, Loss of vibratory/proprioceptive sense
Top Whole Food Sources
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water Wheat Germ Oil, Sunflower Seeds, Raw Almonds, Hazelnuts, Sunflower Oil, Spinach, Hass Avocado
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
— 15 mg / day (22.4 IU) of 2R-alpha-tocopherol
Hepatic Alpha-TTP Specificity
— The liver secretes only alpha-tocopherol into VLDL via Alpha-Tocopherol Transfer Protein (alpha-TTP); other tocopherols are degraded in bile

Other Alternatives to Compare

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