The POTASSIUM Epidemic: Dr. Berg Explains Symptoms, Signs, Diet, Causes, and Treatment

Learn why you need such high amounts of potassium to support a healthy body.

DATA:

0:00 Introduction: How much potassium do you need?
0:10 Potassium explained
0:48 Potassium RDAs
3:03 Potassium supplements
3:30 Potassium deficiency
3:50 Potassium deficiency symptoms
4:47 Potassium deficiency causes
8:15 My potassium challenge
8:38 Learn more about potassium!

Let’s talk about the importance of potassium and what can happen if you don’t get enough.

Your body requires a lot of potassium. The daily requirement for potassium is 4700 mg.

Potassium is important for the sodium-potassium pump. The sodium-potassium pump is like a battery for your cells.

Vegetables are the best source of potassium. One cup of leafy greens provides between 500 and 800 mg of potassium. If you consumed five to ten cups of vegetables daily, you would get plenty of potassium. In comparison, a banana only provides about 300 mg of potassium. Bananas also contain a lot of fructose.

Unfortunately, the average person is not getting enough potassium from their diet—and potassium supplements typically only give you up to 99 mg of potassium per tablet.

Potassium deficiency is often overlooked. It’s difficult to diagnose, and symptoms of a potassium deficiency are sometimes vague. Early symptoms often include difficulty breathing, fatigue, and heart palpitations.

A more severe deficiency in potassium can lead to the following:
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of stroke
• Fluid retention or edema
• Bone loss
• Kidney stones

Causes of potassium deficiency that go beyond a lack of potassium in the diet can include:
• Penicillin
• Diuretics
• Steroids
• Chronic stress
• High insulin (high-carb diet)
• Refined or processed foods

Even the keto diet and prolonged fasting can lead to a potassium deficiency if not done correctly. You will lose potassium as you lose water weight on keto. Consuming enough potassium on keto and taking a potassium supplement while doing a prolonged fast is crucial.

Eating too much too quickly after a prolonged fast or consuming too many carbs after a prolonged fast can also cause a severe potassium deficiency, which can be dangerous.

My challenge for you is to start consuming a lot of foods high in potassium, like leafy greens, for one week and see how you feel. I think you're going to notice a big difference.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 58, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals®. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle

Thanks for watching! I hope this helps increase your awareness of how much potassium you really need. I’ll see you in the next video.

[dreamcore]

some high-potassium foods friendly to a paleo or ketogenic diet:
- Swiss chard (1 cup, cooked): 961 mg
- Spinach (1 cup, cooked): 839 mg
- Avocado (1 medium): 690 mg
- Beef liver (3 ounces, cooked): 444 mg
- Brussels sprouts (1 cup, cooked): 494 mg
- Mushrooms (1 cup, cooked): 428 mg
- Salmon (3 ounces, cooked): 534 mg
- Broccoli (1 cup, cooked): 505 mg
- Pork tenderloin (3 ounces, cooked): 382 mg
- Brazil nuts (1 ounce): 187 mg

[OleFalla]

This Doctor needs to be cloned and put into EVERY medical school to re-educate doctors with correct information about HEALTH. He is brilliant, and a gem of a person to anyone with common sense about how to improve their health in a sustained way. I just love learning from his simple to understand videos ... I respect this man immensely. 👍👍👍

[andreas.]

I had cardiac arrhythmias and my doctor didn't help me 😡Thank you Dr. Berg. I take potassium and magnesium myself every single day and my resting heart rate fell from 72 to 54 (!) in a few months 😊

[stewbugz]

I was in the ER the other night due to dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, tingling in my feet. They thought I had a clot due to leg pain. They did a cbc and found I was extremely low on potassium. They gave me IV’s and I feel lucky to be here! When I walked in the ER I could barely breathe. Heart rate was critically low. Thanks Dr Berg for talking about how important potassium is for our body. 🙏🙏

[jennifermcinnis]

I was in the hospital with high blood pressure. They discovered I had a potassium deficiency and when they gave me potassium my blood pressure went down 30. That was a light bulb moment!

[onthemoney]

Dr. Berg is a special special man. This man wakes up everyday and helps millions of people make health decisions through priceless education.

[Jay-kloy]

I couldn't breath, I felt pressure on my diaphragm. I felt pressure or cramps on my chest. I felt weak with no appetite. Also, i had a dull pain in the lower left hand side of the back of my skull, behind my ear. I thought I had heart problems. After going to the ER 3 time in a span of a year and visiting my cardiologist multiple times, nothing was found. I also had an mri and cat scans on my skull but nothing. Finally, an ER doctor told me I was a little low on potassium, I began to consume avocados and salads and I felt better. When I stopped I felt the sams symptoms again.

[anyonebutliz]

Hospital let me go two days ago didn’t care my potassium was low and chronic tachycardia became arrhythmia. Then this comes out on my suggestions. They told me my labs are great and to wait to see my cardiologist. I read the labs myself and am so upset about them and how I was left go. Thank God that I saw this and thank God for you Doc. I will make sure to eat these, and take magnesium. Blessings to you and your family.

[ellieb]

I'd like to point out, even though Dr. Berg did not, his electrolyte mix has THE HIGHEST amount of Potassium per serving (1000mg) of any electrolyte on the market. His electrolyte is also super low sodium at 40 mg per serving which is nice for folks who want better control of their sodium. I add 1/8 - 1/4 tsp Redmond real salt to a Dr. Berg electrolyte scoop (Strawberry Lemon, Lemon and Tangerine are our favorites) and it makes a well balanced beverage that tastes good and is actually good for you. No Dr. Berg didn't pay me to say that. My husband has hypertension so we've tried them all and Dr. Berg is the best we've found for him.

[PhoenixTTD]

Potassium is sold in grocery stores as a salt substitute. It should be in the spice isle near the salt. "No Salt" or similar products are pure potassium. Read the label, one ingredient: Potassium. "Low Salt" is a mix of potassium and salt. You can sprinkle potassium on many foods and drinks in any amount you want. The taste is similar to salt but a little different.

[robinsnestradio]

Good morning everyone 🌄 Let's keep on supporting Dr Berg because he has always given us information we can use to help make our health better👍🏽👍🏽

[zackwestrules]

This is off topic but I want to say that for the past month I’ve been fasting 20-23 hours a day, I’ve lowered my carbs and went higher fat, and started eating more vegetables, taking vitamin d and cod liver oil daily, and I’ve lost around 12-13 pounds and my cystic acne is practically gone. My face was so bad and inflamed you couldn’t even see the pores in the mirror. It’s taken a list of consistency and discipline, but I can’t believe it’s working.

[jeannesampson]

Im sure im speaking for the majority when i say we all appreciate and thank you from our hearts for what you do Dr Berg. God bless and keep you protected. 🤍🛐✝️

[bonelessthincrust]

One bottle (16.9oz) of Coconut Water (Vita Coco) is just shy of 1, 000mg of potassium (20% of your RDV). Substitute one or two of these for your beverage throughout the day and watch how much better you feel after just a few days. For me this is my only source of potassium as, realistically speaking, nothing I eat (or want to eat) contains it. Best option I've found.

[LG-universe]

Dr. Berg you are a national treasure. Thank you for caring about our health. ❤️

[Ilikeit]

You are so right Doc... I was on bp meds for 17 years or so .... my bp NEVER went down and NEVER stayed the same ..I was eating salads but not enough . in April of 2021, watch another video of yours, I increased my salads per day and my bp has been GREAT since and off of all meds that did not do a thing ! Started the Keto diet, NO SUGAR and low carbs loss 37 lbs in a couple of months and been heathy since .

[jacintagamble-brunson]

I reversed kidney failure by increasing potassium. I juiced a made a huge GREEN salad with an Avacado based salad dressing( also Avacado in my salad). I approve this message!!!!

[JazzyMarineVet]

I used to get cramps in my calves at night. I would roll over and I guess flex my foot and it would lock up. I jumped up and stomped the ground, scaring the crap out of the household and my cat. One of your videos said night cramps can be stopped with Mag and Potassium. Now I am 3 months free from that.

[alroy]

I had a couple of health issues and I lost a lot of electrolytes. My heart started failing. Turns out my magnesium was so low that my body could not process potassium affecting my heart. I take magnesium supplements to this day and my potassium is fine.

[thomasfranks]

I was on diuretics for afib/edema. Was constantly tired, weak. Discussed with my doctor and went on a prescription Potassium and, overnight, the issues went away. Excellent solution Dr. Berg!!!