Potassium Chloride (KCl)
Role
Primary potassium source
Amount
- Per serving: 1/2 tsp
- Per batch (×48): 1/2 cup
Nutrition
- ~1,050 mg potassium per serving (22% DV)
- ~980 mg chloride per serving
Safety
- ✅ MCAS safe
- ✅ Low salicylate
- Safe for everyone in household
Chloride Concern (Resolved)
Chloride was initially a concern, but research showed:
- The chloride UL (3,600 mg/day) was derived from the sodium UL, not from independent chloride toxicity data
- No evidence of chloride-specific toxicity independent of sodium
- Body regulates chloride excretion through the same pathways as sodium
- Table salt already contributes ~1,800 mg chloride per tumbler — KCl adds ~980 mg on top
Why Not Potassium Citrate?
- Potassium citrate was the original recipe ingredient
- Citrate can be problematic for MCAS — commercial citric acid is produced via Aspergillus niger (mold) fermentation
- Chris tolerates it, but switched to KCl for Sara’s safety and cost
- KCl is dramatically cheaper (~0.12 for potassium citrate)
Why Not Cream of Tartar?
- Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) provides both potassium AND acidity
- But at the amounts needed for potassium, it’s expensive (~$0.21-0.32/serving)
- Separating potassium (KCl) from acid (ascorbic acid) is more cost-effective
Source
BulkSupplements, 1kg (2.2 lbs) — ~$22, ~312 servings, reorder every ~9 weeks