Potassium Mineral

Potassium is one of the major essential minerals in the body. Most of it is found in cells where it acts as an electrolyte. It has numerous benefits which are stated further in this article.

Potassium Benefits

As an electrolyte, it has a number of health benefits which include;

Health Benefits of Potassium

• It helps with the muscle contraction process.
• It enables your heart to beat in a healthy rhythmic way.
• Potassium is essential in nerve cells functioning.
• This mineral helps maintain normal healthy blood pressure.
• It may reduce the risk of recurrent kidney stones.

Nutritional Benefits of Potassium

• It helps regulate body fluid such as urine.
• It’s used in the conversion of blood sugar to glycogen.

Potassium Deficiency

Deficiency is the condition that body cells have low potassium levels. It is due to a lack of enough fruits and vegetables in a diet. Over time, deficiency has shown to affect muscles and nerves first. However, deficiency affects different people more, this group consists of; the elderly, people with kidney problems and athletes.

Symptoms of Deficiency

results in great fatigue and muscle weakness,

mental confusion,

problems in nerve conduction,

heart disturbance,

Potassium Sources

This mineral can be obtained from different sources such as; food products(fruits) and supplements.

However, its best sources are fruits and vegetables.

Potassium Rich Foods

Leafy green vegetables; Pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, eggplant,

Fruits and fruit juices; Carrots, grapefruit and grapefruit juice, orange and orange juice, banana

Legumes; Beans, lentils, soybeans

Dairy; Yogurt, milk

Fish; Tuna, trout, cod

Meat

Nuts; Almond

Potassium And Blood Pressure

Low potassium has been proved to be a contributing factor to high blood pressure. Potassium and sodium are so related that food high in sodium can have negative effects on the body. Salt raises the amount of sodium higher than potassium making it hard for the kidney to purify blood. This imbalance between sodium and potassium results in high blood pressure.

Reliable research has shown that increased potassium intake and supplements reverse this imbalance and helps kidney function optimally. This ultimately lowers the blood pressure to normal levels. Nevertheless, it is wise to consult a doctor before taking any supplements.

Potassium Deficiency In Plants

Potassium dosage

The Recommended Daily Allowance(RDA) for this mineral is 1.9- 5.6 grams for adults and 765 mg for children up to 4 years. In treating hypertension(high blood pressure), medical experts recommend 3500-5000 mg of potassium daily.

Potassium Deficiency Causes

 

Potassium And The Heart

Potassium helps regulate and rhythm the heartbeat.

Potassium And Water

When dissolved in water, it conducts electricity which is used in different body processes such as transmitting nerve signals. This transmitting property is essential in various processes in the body.

Potassium And Diabetes

People with diabetes, have a problem producing insulin efficiently. diabetes is characterized by low potassium levels and high insulin levels. This mineral helps produce and ensure optimal functioning of insulin thus reducing the risk of diabetes.

Potassium Deficiency Treatment

hypokalemia is treated by increasing potassium mineral in once diet i.e. increasing fruit intake. Medical experts recommend taking 780 mg of elemental potassium daily to treat severe deficiency.

Potassium And Hypertension

Potassium 1000 Mg Supplements

can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomitting

Potassium Channel Blockers

Potassium Chloride Injection

medication to treat and prevent low blood potassium

Potassium Sparing Diuretics