Side-by-Side Comparison
Essential Vitamins & Minerals
Potassium (Elemental K) vs. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Potassium (Elemental K)
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
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).
Vitamin D3 is a secosteroid prohormone synthesized endogenously in skin via solar UVB irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol. Adult RDA is 600–800 IU (15–20µg), with a Tolerable Upper Limit of 4,000 IU (100µg)/day, regulating systemic calcium absorption and immune gene expression.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nutrient Type
|
Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte | Fat-Soluble Secosteroid Prohormone |
|
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
|
None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction) | 4,000 IU / day (100 µg) (Endocrine Society: up to 10,000 IU safe) |
|
Chemical Forms
|
Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate | Cholecalciferol (D3 - Animal/Lichen), Ergocalciferol (D2 - Fungi) |
|
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 | Calcitriol receptor (VDR) activation, intestinal calcium/phosphorus absorption, antimicrobial peptide synthesis |
|
Deficiency Condition
|
Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension | Rickets (children), Osteomalacia (adults), Immune dysregulation |
|
Top Whole Food Sources
|
Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water | Sunlight UVB, Atlantic Salmon, Sardines, Egg Yolk, Fortified Milk |
|
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
|
— | 600 – 800 IU / day (15 – 20 µg) |
|
Target Serum 25(OH)D Level
|
— | 30 – 50 ng / mL (75 – 125 nmol / L) |
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