Molasses (mary)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/4/2001 7:13:24 PM Pacific Standard Time,

brvarin@... writes:

<< After receiving

a blood pressure medicine called Cozaar 50mg (Losartan Potassium

tablets); I keep asking my primary dr. if I should take

potassium ..all he says your tests came back perfect. I wonder if I

took molasses and ate extra banana everyday if it would work as well

as the prescription med. I remember by great-grandma always took a

spoon full of molasses ... >>

Hi, Breta,

I am not familiar with that medication, Cozar, but I wonder if the potassium

designation means that it is a potassium channel blocker rather than a

potassium supplement? This might be something to ask your doctor. I say

this because I take a beta blocker, Atenolol, and a calcium channel blocker,

Verapamil, and understand that the descriptions beta and calcium channel

blockers refer to the specific receptors or heart channels by which the

drugs prevent adrenaline from reaching the heart. I have never taken a

potassium channel blocker, but I know that they exist because my cardiologist

said that Dofefilide works on the potassium channel basis. If Cozar is not a

potassium supplement but rather a blood pressure control medication, it might

not have that much effect on your potassium level. Besides, I think that 50

m.g. is relatively small amount compared to the daily requirement for

potassium. If the tests showed that your potassium level is all right, I

wouldn't worry too much about it unless you start running marathons or

vacation in an extremely warm climate. Exercise and sweating can deplete

potassium levels and create a higher requirement, but under ordinary

circumstances, probably enough potassium can be obtained from food. In any

case, I have on occasion eaten two bananas a day with no noticeable effects.

I use blackstrap molasses (along with the apple juice recommended by

for my milkless condition) on my cereal in the morning. Usually I don't have

a banana if I use the molasses on a given day. I think I have read that it

is difficult to get too much potassium from food sources, but I don't want to

overdo it and take a chance. Since I am not a doctor, it might be best to

ask your doctor about all this. Good luck!

in sinus in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Hi , I have learned a lot from all the messages and have learn to

cope with AF better and special thanks to everyone. After receiving

a blood pressure medicine called Cozaar 50mg (Losartan Potassium

tablets); I keep asking my primary dr. if I should take

potassium ..all he says your tests came back perfect. I wonder if I

took molasses and ate extra banana everyday if it would work as well

as the prescription med. I remember by great-grandma always took a

spoon full of molasses ...maybe she knew something the doctors would

rather perscribe another pill instead of saying eat 2 bananas and

spoonful of molasses. I am not suggesting throw out the pills but I

remember reading in Prevention magazine that someone ate 2 bananas

daily and it lower their blood pressure. If this bloody PILL doesn't

work I am thinking of trying it ....as long as i don't hang off trees

LOL. I am sick of pills!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND NOTICE COZAAR HAS POTASSIUM

ON THE LABEL. breta