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From:	Jeff Novick, MS, RD, LD, LN (novick.vegsource.com)
Subject:	Re: Mr Spice
Date:	January 8, 2008 at 2:40 am PST

In Reply to: Mr Spice posted by karenturtle on January 6, 2008 at 3:36 pm:

Hi Karen

Thanks for the heads up! I was unaware that they have switched and will look into them and report back as soon as I get back from CA.

In regard to Potassium Chloride, I do not recommend its use. Anyone consuming a healthy diet gets in more than enough potassium, so there is no reason to be getting that much more from a "supplemental" source. It is showing up in foods as it is being used as a substitute for salt as it imparts a salty flavor to food without all the salt. It is the ingredient in what is sold as salt substitutes in products like But, there are some concerns with it use.

Sometimes, potassium is prescribed to people by a MD. When it is, the potassium comes with the following warnings..

Cardiac arrest can occur with high potassium conditions, such as chronic renal failure, burns, acidosis, dehydration, and potassium sparing diuretic usage. Potassium supplements should not be given to these patients. Ulcers and bleeding can occur in patients with intestinal problems, especially those who are taking slow- release tablets. Drug interactions causing elevation of potassium can occur with ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure) and certain diuretics (aldactone and triamterene). Blood tests to measure potassium levels should be followed regularly in these patients. Slow-release tablets should be swallowed, not chewed or crushed

In addition,very high doses can cause cardiac arrest and rapid death. A massive overdose of intravenous potassium chloride is used to stop the heart in execution by lethal injection.

Also, as a FYI, it is the drug of choice that Dr Jack Kevorkian used to inject people with.

In Health
Jeff

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