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

Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Zinc (Elemental Zn)

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

Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Zinc (Elemental Zn)
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 →
Zinc (Elemental Zn) →

Zinc is an essential trace mineral serving as a structural component in over 2,000 transcription factor 'zinc finger' proteins and catalytic cofactor for 300+ enzymes. Adult RDA is 11mg (men) / 8mg (women), with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 40mg/day.

View full Zinc (Elemental Zn) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Potassium (Elemental K)
Zinc (Elemental Zn)
Nutrient Type
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte Essential Trace Mineral
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) 40 mg / day (Chronic excess induces copper deficiency)
Chemical Forms
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate Zinc Picolinate, Bisglycinate, Gluconate, Sulfate, Oxide
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 Zinc finger DNA transcription factors, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1), Carbonic anhydrase, Testosterone synthesis, Phagocytosis
Deficiency Condition
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension Impaired immunity, Hypogonadism, Delayed wound healing, Alopecia, Loss of taste/smell (Anosmia/Ageusia)
Top Whole Food Sources
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water Eastern Oysters, Beef Chuck, Crab, Pumpkin Seeds, Hemp Hearts, Chickpeas
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
— 11 mg / day (Men) / 8 mg / day (Women)
Copper Balance Warning
— High zinc stimulates intestinal metallothionein which binds copper, risking microcytic anemia if copper is unsupplemented

Other Alternatives to Compare

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