http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3197792/
Key issues
Experimentally induced hypokalemia has been associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and the development of impaired glucose tolerance in hyperglycemic clamp studies.
Use of thiazide diuretics is associated with increased risk of diabetes, and this association is most likely mediated by the hypokalemic effects of the thiazide diuretics.
Use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) is associated with reduced risk of diabetes.
ARBs cause increases in serum potassium levels. Whether or not there is an association between the potassium-sparing effects of the ARBs and reduced diabetes risk has not been evaluated.
Low normal serum potassium, independent of the use of antihypertensive agents, is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes in prospective cohort studies.
Low dietary potassium intake has not been clearly associated with increased risk of incident diabetes.
Higher intake of potassium-rich foods has been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes.
Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine if potassium supplementation, either dietary or pharmacologic, will impact short-term measures of glycemia and long-term risk of diabetes.
Key issues
Experimentally induced hypokalemia has been associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and the development of impaired glucose tolerance in hyperglycemic clamp studies.
Use of thiazide diuretics is associated with increased risk of diabetes, and this association is most likely mediated by the hypokalemic effects of the thiazide diuretics.
Use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) is associated with reduced risk of diabetes.
ARBs cause increases in serum potassium levels. Whether or not there is an association between the potassium-sparing effects of the ARBs and reduced diabetes risk has not been evaluated.
Low normal serum potassium, independent of the use of antihypertensive agents, is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes in prospective cohort studies.
Low dietary potassium intake has not been clearly associated with increased risk of incident diabetes.
Higher intake of potassium-rich foods has been associated with a reduced risk of diabetes.
Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine if potassium supplementation, either dietary or pharmacologic, will impact short-term measures of glycemia and long-term risk of diabetes.