HIGH LEVELS OF DIETARY POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM AND GROWTH OF RATS

Abstract

The feeding of K bicarbonate at a level to furnish 5% of K in the diet depressed the rate of growth of rats. K carbonate added to the diet at a level to furnish 3% of K depressed the rate of gain approx. the same extent as did K bicarbonate at a level of 5% K. 5% K as the carbonate resulted in a high mortality. Increasing the Mg content of the high K diets reduced the mortality but did not significantly increase the rate of gain. Feeding high levels of K had no significant effect on the amt. of Mg in the blood.