Proper Name: Potassium

Common Name: Potassium

Evidence of Efficacy: statement to the effect of Potassium deficiency or imbalance plays a role in the symptoms of mood disorders¹. Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between potassium and aggression^2,3,4, anxiety⁵ , bipolar disorder^6,7,8,9, and depression^10,11.                  

References:

1. Webb WL, Gehi M. Electrolyte and fluid imbalance: Neuropsychiatric manifestations. Psychosomatics 22(3):199-203, 1981

2. William J. Walsh, analytical chemist, Argonne National Laboratory – reported in Sci News 124:122-5, 1983

3. Schmidt K, Wier WR, Asch M. Clinical ecology treatment approach for juvenile offenders. J Behav Ecology: Biosocial 2(1), 1981

4. Von Hilsheimer G, Philpott W, Buckley W, Klotz SC. Correcting the incorrigible. A report on 229 “incorrigible” adolescents. Am Lab 107:22-49, 1977

5. McCleane GJ, Watters CH. Pre-operative anxiety and serum potassium. Anaesthesia 45(7):583-5, 1990

6. Klemfuss H. Dietary potassium effects on lithium concentration and toxicity in humans. Biol Psychiatry 37:42-7, 1995

7. Jefferson JW. Potassium supplementation in lithium patients: a timely intervention or premature speculation? J Clin Psychiatry 53:10, 1992

8. Bkaskara Rao Tripuraneni, fellow in child psychiatry, Harbo-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California – reported in Clin Psychiatry News 18(10):3, October, 1990 and presented to the 143^rd Annual Mtg of the Am Psychiatric Assoc, May 12-17, 1990, Abstracts NR 100 and NR 210

9. Cater RE. The use of sodium and potassium to reduce toxicity and toxic side effects from lithium. Med Hypotheses 20(4):359-83, 1986

10. Webb WL, Gehi M. Electrolyte and fluid imbalance: Neuropsychiatric manifestations. Psychosomatics 22(3):199-203, 1981

11. Cox JR et al. Changes in sodium, potassium and fluid spaces in depression and dementia. Gerontology Clin 13:232-45, 1971 Aggressive Behavior