It is very important that your body’s electrolytes such as chloride, sodium and potassium remain at their proper levels. The normal serum level of potassium is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. Potassium is an electrolyte that remains within your body’s cells (intracellular), while electrolytes sodium and chloride remain outside the cells (extracellular).

Potassium is a dietary mineral that is generally quite abundant in most people’s diets, most healthy people get plenty from their diets. Due to illness, however, some people need to restrict their potassium intake and some people may actually need to increase foods rich in potassium into their diets. A diet that is high in sodium and low in potassium can negatively impact potassium status. While the typical American diet, which is high in sodium-containing processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables, contains about two times more sodium than potassium, many health experts recommend eating more potassium rich foods.

The potassium content of foods plays a role in keeping your heartbeat regular and your muscles working right. Potassium is a mineral found in many of the foods you eat and drink. Studies have shown that foods rich in 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 is important for chemical reactions within the cells and aid in maintaining stable blood pressure and in transmitting electrochemical impulses. Potassium is important for a healthy nervous system and a regular heart rhythm. It helps prevent stroke, aids in proper muscle contraction, and works with sodium to control the body’s water balance. A 1977 review of earlier studies showed that low potassium intake might be significant factor in the development of high blood pressure.

Together with magnesium, potassium can help prevent calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Potassium also regulates the transfer of nutrients through cell membranes. This function of potassium has been shown to decrease with age, which may account for some of the circulatory damage, lethargy, and weakness experienced by older people.

Potassium Deficiency Symptoms: Potassium deficiencies include abnormally dry skin, acne, chills, cognitive impairment, constipation, depression, diarrhea, diminished reflex function, edema, nervousness, insatiable thirst, fluctuations in heartbeat, glucose intolerance, growth impairment, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, low blood pressure, muscular fatigue and weakness, nausea and vomiting, periodic headaches, proteinuria (protein in the urine), respiratory distress, and salt retention. Excessive sodium intake can result in edema, high blood pressure, potassium deficiency, and liver and kidney disease.

Certain hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s disease can cause low levels of potassium. Some drugs like diuretics and laxatives can also cause a condition called hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition where the potassium levels are too low. This could happen because you don’t get enough from your diet, however it is quite common for potassium levels to become too low because of digestive problems. Where there is too much potassium in the blood, this condition is referred to as Hyperkalemia.

Mild hypokalemia may be treated with oral potassium chloride supplements. As this is often part of a poor nutritional intake, potassium rich foods may be recommended, such as leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, citrus fruits, oranges or bananas. Both dietary and pharmaceutical supplements are used for people taking diuretic medications. Certain medications can accelerate the removal of potassium from the body, including thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, loop diuretics such as furosemide, as well as various laxatives. The antifungal amphotericin B has also been associated with hypokalemia.

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