Abstract
BackgroundA loss of muscle mass may be influenced by multiple factors. Insulin sensitivity and metabolic acidosis are associated with muscle wasting and may be improved with potassium intake. This study evaluated the association between dietary potassium intake and skeletal muscle mass.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study with data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2008–2011). Participant’s daily food intake was assessed using a 24-h recall method. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was calculated as the sum of muscle mass in both arms and legs, measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated as ASM divided by height2 (kg/m2). Low muscle mass was defined as a SMI < 7.0 kg/m2 for men and < 5.4 kg/m2 for women.ResultsData from 16,558 participants (age ≥ 19 years) were analyzed. Participants were categorized into quintiles according to their potassium intake. Sex-specific differences were found in the association between potassium intake and muscle mass (PInteraction < 0.001). In men, higher potassium intake was associated with lower odds for low muscle mass; the fully adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.78 (0.60–1.03), 0.71 (0.54–0.93), 0.68 (0.51–0.90), and 0.71 (0.51–0.98) for the top four quintiles (referenced against the lowest quintile), respectively. However, this association was attenuated in women after adjusting for total energy intake. Higher potassium intakes were also associated with a greater SMI.ConclusionsHigher dietary potassium intake decreased the odds of low muscle mass in men but not in women.
Highlights
Skeletal muscle mass is a body tissue that play an important role in metabolic regulation, movement, and strength [1, 2]
Four hierarchical models were examined: (1) adjusted for age and sex (Model 1); (2) adjusted for additional comorbidities, Body mass index (BMI), smoking status, number of days of weight training per week, physical activity, White blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin, and total cholesterol (Model 2); (3) adjusted for the variables included in Model 2, Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and protein intake (Model 3); and (4) adjusted for the variables included in Model 3 and total energy intake (Model 4)
Patient characteristics Among the 37,753 participants included in the KNHA NES, the 17,059 subjects aged ≥19 years whose surveys included dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and 24-h dietary recall data were included in this cross-sectional study
Summary
Skeletal muscle mass is a body tissue that play an important role in metabolic regulation, movement, and strength [1, 2]. Muscle mass decreases as much as 3–8% each decade after the age of 30–40 years and the rate of loss increases to 15% each decade after the age of 70 years [3]. Potassium is a vital element that plays an important role in maintaining cell function, in muscles and nerves and has various health benefits; increased potassium intake has proved to be effective in reducing blood pressure [17] and was associated with a reduced risk of stroke [18]. Insulin sensitivity and metabolic acidosis are associated with muscle wasting and may be improved with potassium intake. This study evaluated the association between dietary potassium intake and skeletal muscle mass
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