Very few people meet the recommended potassium intake.

However, a low potassium intake is rarely the cause of deficiency. Deficiency typically occurs when your body loses a lot of fluid.

Common signs and symptoms of potassium deficiency include weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps, muscle aches and stiffness, tingles and numbness, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, digestive symptoms and mood changes.

If you think you’re deficient, be sure to visit your doctor, as potassium deficiency can have serious health consequences.

Fortunately, you can increase your blood potassium levels by simply consuming more potassium-rich foods like beet greens, yams, white beans, clams, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocado, pinto beans and bananas. //

In the US, food authorities limit potassium in over-the-counter supplements to just 99 mg. In comparison, a medium banana contains 422 mg of potassium (27, 28).

This limit is likely low because studies have shown that high-dose potassium supplements may damage the gut or lead to an abnormal heartbeat, which is fatal (27, 29Trusted Source, 30).

Taking too much potassium can cause excess amounts of it to build up in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia may cause arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, which can cause serious heart conditions (31Trusted Source).