For people with certain conditions potassium is the most dangerous substance. Too much in the system, called Hyperkalemia, is a medical emergency that can cause paralysis, cardiac arrest and death. It can come suddenly with no symptoms. It's imperative that a low-potassium diet be followed. However, it's not labelled making that extremely difficult.
On the flip side, 98% of Americans are deficient in it and don't even know it. Ask yourself what the recommended daily amount is... do you have any clue? Scientists say 3,100 - 4,700 mg for healthy individuals. However, as renowned nutritionist Adelle Davis points out, it is toxic sodium (table salt) that causes the greatest problems. "Persons eating [sodium] salt as they wished excreted nine times more potassium than when their salt intake was limited, and human volunteers kept on diets deficient in potassium retained so much salt that they developed high blood pressure."
