POTASSIUM

What is potassium, exactly?

It’s some kind of electrolyte. It improves the function of your nerves and muscle contraction. It contributes to the maintenance of a steady heartbeat. It also helps with the transport of nutrients and waste out of and into cells. Potassium-rich foods can help to offset some of the negative effects of sodium on blood pressure.

Many people get their potassium entirely from the foods and beverages they consume. Potassium is present in the following foods:

Leafy greens include spinach and collard greens.

Vine-borne fruits include grapes and blackberries, for example.

Root vegetables include carrots and potatoes.

Citrus fruits include oranges and grapefruit.

Your kidneys help your body maintain a healthy potassium balance. If you have chronic kidney disease, your kidneys may be unable to remove excess potassium from your blood. Some medications can also raise potassium levels. You may need to follow a special diet to reduce your potassium intake.

Foods high in potassium

Manganese dioxide, which is also found in the mineral pyrolusite, is used in industry to produce potassium permanganate. Global production was estimated to be 30,000 tonnes in the year 2000. MnO2 is combined with potassium hydroxide and heated in the presence of air or another source of oxygen, such as potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate.

Potassium deficiency

Low potassium, also known as potassium deficiency, occurs when your blood potassium level falls below 3.5 mmol per litre. The medical term for this condition is hypokalemia (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Potassium is a mineral that has many functions in your body. It helps with muscle contraction regulation, nerve function maintenance, and fluid balance regulation, among other things (3Trusted Source).

Despite its importance, it is estimated that most adults fall short of their daily requirements. This is most likely because the Western diet favours processed foods over whole plant foods high in potassium, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts (4 Trusted Source).

However, hypokalemia is rarely caused solely by a nutrient deficiency. A variety of factors can play a role in this, including (1Trusted Source, 2 Trusted Source, 5 Trusted Source):

• a decrease in fluid
• malnutrition
• shock
• prescriptions for specific medications
• some medical issues, for example, kidney failure

What happens if you have an excess of potassium in your system?

If your potassium levels are extremely high, you may experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention. If you have these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Potassium deficiency treatment

Potassium imbalances can be treated in a variety of ways, depending on whether your levels are too high or too low.

Hypokalemia is a condition in which the body’s potassium levels are low (low)

When potassium levels are too low, potassium supplements are usually the first line of defence. Supplements are usually effective if your kidneys are in good shape.

If you have severe hypokalemia and an irregular heartbeat, you may require IV treatment.

Potassium-sparing diuretics can assist the body in eliminating excess sodium. This will help to normalise electrolyte levels. Some diuretics and potassium supplements, on the other hand, can be harmful to the digestive system.

Request wax-coated pills from your doctor to help prevent digestive issues. Potassium-sparing diuretics are only appropriate for people with normal kidney function.

Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the body’s potassium levels are elevated (high)

To treat mild cases of hyperkalemia, prescription medications that increase potassium excretion can be used. Other options include diuretics or an enema.

More complicated treatment options may be required in severe cases. Potassium can be removed from the body through kidney dialysis. This is the preferred treatment in cases of kidney failure.

 These help transport potassium from the bloodstream to the cells.

CONCLUSION:

Potassium is a mineral required for normal cellular function. Despite the fact that humans evolved on potassium-rich diets, modern diets are potassium-deficient. Many of the negative effects of low potassium intake, such as elevated blood pressure, increased salt sensitivity, an increased risk of kidney stones, and possibly increased bone loss, can be avoided by increasing potassium intake from foods. A lack of potassium can also increase the risk of having a stroke. Individuals should strive to increase their consumption of potassium-rich foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, in light of the general population’s high prevalence of high blood pressure, stroke, and bone demineralization conditions (e.g., osteoporosis and kidney stones).