Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the body and is considered an electrolyte. The human body has about a 4 1/2 ounce supply and most of it is located inside muscle cells. Phosphorus serves as the ionic counterpart to other electrolytes sodium and chloride, and needs a balance of these minerals for many essential body functions.
Potassium assists in muscle contractions and in maintaining appropriate levels of fluid and the electrolyte balance in the body cells. It is critical to maintaining a normal heartbeat or heart rhythm.
Studies have shown that potassium may help to prevent high blood pressure and may enhance the effect of antihypertensive medications. Both physical and mental stress can lead to a deficiency in potassium. Alcohol, coffee, and sugar deplete potassium levels in the body. Potassium is one of the electrolytes we all require to maintain health.
Potassium also functions in the conduction of nerve impulses and enables the body to convert glucose into energy, which is then stored in reserve by the muscles and liver.
It is to be noted that when whole blood is stored at 2-4 0C, as for the purpose of blood transfusion, potassium from corpuscles migrate into plasma in which the potassium concentration rises. Such a sample of blood, if administered, may produce serious effects.
Metabolism of potassium is controlled probably by adrenal cortex, either directly or indirectly by regulating sodium metabolism. 2-3 gm is excreted through the urine per day, which varies with the amount of intake. In potassium deficiency kidneys reabsorb more. With high meat diet and in the later stages of fasting, when tissues are breaking down, potassium excretion rises.
Taking everything together serum potassium rises, due to less excretion by the kidneys and more leakage from the tissue cells. In intestinal obstruction serum potassium rises as a terminal event. In shock the same picture is seen.
If a person suffers from kidney stones, he might benefit from increasing high potassium containing foods in his diet to supply more potassium to body, as higher potassium levels have proved helpful in preventing kidney stones.
Sources of potassium
Some important sources of potassium are Potato, winter squash, tomato, celery, carrots, broccoli, watercress, avocado, banana, oranges, orange juice, raisins, watermelon, cantaloupe, prunes, fish, hamburger, lamb, pork, chicken, bran cereal, wheat flakes cereal, yogurt, milk, salt substitutes, and sunflower seeds.
Benefits of potassium
- It is needed for growth, building muscles, transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity etc.
- It sends oxygen to the brain to facilitate mental clarity.
- It also helps to lower blood pressure.
- It also decreases risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
- It also helps to dispose of body wastes.
- Aids in allergy treatment.
- Reduces pain of arthritis.
- Conducts nerve impulses and initiates muscle contractions.
- Regulates heartbeat. Potassium ions inhibit cardiac contraction and prolong relaxation.
- It is intimately concerned with the development of potential difference with the help of which an impulse is conducted through the nerve.
Deficiency symptoms of potassium
A deficiency in potassium is not common, but symptoms of a deficiency may include weakness, irregular heartbeat, and failure to replace low levels of potassium could lead to heart failure.
Most cases of deficiency can be related to use of some diuretics, or prolonged bouts of vomiting or diarrhea.
There is scarring of heart muscle, hypertrophy of kidneys, paralysis of muscle and retarded bone growth. Bones become fragile excessively. Both sexes may be sterile.
Symptom of high intake
Toxicity is rare but people who have kidney disease or who have high blood pressure should consult with their doctor before taking.
Symptoms of too much potassium might include, nausea, muscle fatigue, or irregular heartbeat.
When more is needed
Potassium is easily lost in the urine, and if a large amount of salt is ingested, it may be wise to take a potassium supplement. If a person suffers from vomiting, diarrhea or extreme sweating he may require more potassium or if diet includes mostly processed foods, large amounts of caffeine, alcohol, or if one take diuretic pills or laxatives.
If a person suffers from diabetes, or suffer from kidney problems he should not take a potassium supplement without the consent of medical physician.
Daily requirement
The RDA for potassium is 3500 mg, and recommended dosages range from 1875-5625 mg per day.
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A few years back I was out of work and had to eat from a food pantry. They do help but it was not enought to suppliment my diet with the nutrients i needed. I thougth I was loosing my mind. I suffered from panaic attacks high blood pressure, cramps in my feet, Every doctor I went to said I was depressed. Well who wouldn't be. One said don't eat salt. Well there went the 1000mg of salt that was in the ramen noodles from the food pantry. They told me it could be allergies to take benadryl. They done blood tests and thyroi test. Still no word of vitamin deficiency. Do doctors think we are just plain stupid that we wouldn't understand about vitamins. I got books from the library, online and any thing i could read about vitamins. I realized that my daughter had many difficulties and was also on antidepressents. I just knew there was a link some where. She now takes magnesium bills from the doctor and connot do without them. I endedn up on disability and now ave enough money to buy he food I needed. This is the story of many people in the United States. To poor to eat properly. I also realize many seniors get down sick because the do not eat properly and then it is a snow ball effect. It just gets worse from there. I now am on the easy down hill ride to a healthier life after studying vitamins and making up a diet that suited me. I still take the antidepressents but maybe some day I will be built up enought I can make it with out them. Hang in there and study too on proper nutrition and what is best for you.. I eat banana's now or choose more foods containing potassium. I also make sure my grandkids that play sports get enough potassium.. My grandsons drink a sports drink before ballgames and 1 after the game. This helps them in the summer when they sweat alot. Thank you for posting information for all to read and this shows how helpful it can be. Old oak
You might look at your potassium levels and also if you are getting enough magnesium.
Coconut water is now one of my sources of potassium, other than banana, avocado, and a sports drink. My electrolyte balance must be very delicate now such that failure to keep to my diet causes me to suddenly be weak again.
http://www.medications.com/effect/tag/low-potassium
I wrote this to the people on that forum but it won;t let me post it so I am posting it here.....
Hi there, I noticed on the main page of low potassium symptoms of all these people who have the same symptoms of numbness in extremities and heart irregularities and candida with yeast issues and many other low potassium symptoms and are all on different drugs... I need to say this, I got off all birth control about 6 years ago and am on NO meds at all, nothing and I have the same symptoms and they do NOT go away and doctors will not help me.
There has to be a precipitating factor of maybe magnesium or iron conflicting or adrenals causing the potassium to get low, because I eat more potassium than anyone I know I am still low I can feel it and I have chest pain all the time, and I have perfect blood pressure and pulse.. and I am low in weight and still have the symptoms. I cannot figure it out. But maybe none of your symptoms can be blamed on meds, maybe it is more like in my case... This is just weird. I cleaned out my system with good foods thinking I would get better and I have not... I have horrific infections in my digestive tract and they never go away... now when I eat as much as I can in Potassium I do feel better, but it takes work, not just one banana for me, I have to overload on it and I am still tested as low, and I have no kidney issues either that have been found. Odd indeed.
I was having cramps and pains in my lower extremities and figured out that I most likely had poor circulation in those areas. I started supplementing with a Calcium-Magnesium-Potassium supplement all in one and low and behold my symptoms went away. Every so often I drink a bottle of Gatorade to balance out my electrolytes and that has been my regimen for the past 3 years with no problems. I did clear all of this with my doctor before doing these things. I also switched to a naturopath doctor (NDs) who uses western medicine as well as other modalities in her practice in working with nature.