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

Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

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

Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

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 B1 is a water-soluble pyrimidine/thiazole vitamin acting as the Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP) coenzyme in pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and transketolase. Adult RDA is 1.2 mg (men) / 1.1 mg (women) (no Upper Limit established).

View full Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Nutrient Type
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte Water-Soluble Thiazole Vitamin
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) None Established (Rapid renal clearance of excess)
Chemical Forms
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate Thiamine Monophosphate, Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP / TDP, active coenzyme), Benfotiamine (Lipid-soluble synthetic)
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 Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (Links glycolysis to Krebs cycle), Transketolase (Pentose Phosphate Pathway), Myelin neurotransmission
Deficiency Condition
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension Beriberi (Wet beriberi: high-output heart failure; Dry beriberi: peripheral neuropathy), Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Top Whole Food Sources
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water Pork Tenderloin, Sunflower Seeds, Nutritional Yeast, Enriched Grains, Black Beans, Flaxseeds
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
1.2 mg / day (Men) / 1.1 mg / day (Women) (+0.3mg during pregnancy)
Thermolability & Alcohol Interaction
Degraded by alkaline pH and high heat cooking; alcohol blocks intestinal active ThTr-1 transport