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Potassium is one of the macronutrients and is an element that performs many extremely important functions. Potassium allows our cells to transmit electrical impulses to each other, but potassium also helps maintain adequate blood pressure and muscle tone.
- Potassium is one of the main electrolytes in our cells, along with sodium, magnesium and calcium
- Potassium controls the work of muscles, including the heart
- It is rare for people to suffer from a potassium deficiency or excess. However, this happens in cases where the functioning of our body is disturbed
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Potassium – functions
Potassium is, along with sodium, magnesium and calcium, one of the main electrolytes present in our cells. Electrolytes are elements that are electrically charged in aqueous solutions and can conduct electricity. As an electrolyte, potassium is responsible for maintaining the appropriate electrical voltage on cell membranes (the so-called resting potential) and is responsible for the transmission of electrical impulses between cells (the so-called action potential).
Potassium is involved in the synthesis processes, i.e. the construction of amino acids and proteins. It is also essential in the cycles in which our cells produce energy.
Potassium – role in the body
Due to the fact that potassium is an electrolyte, potassium controls the work of muscles. It enables the generation of electrical impulses in the cells of our body, including the cells of the heart muscles, i.e. it is responsible for every beat of our heart. Potassium plays the same role in skeletal muscle.
Potassium is a sodium antagonist and its opposite effect is, inter alia, by reducing the volume of extracellular fluids and thus helping to control the amount of water in the body. This role of potassium is also related to the ability to maintain normal blood pressure by lowering it.
Potassium is involved in the processes by which our cells synthesize proteins, which in turn are the building blocks of muscles. Thus, potassium is one of the factors that control muscle building and help maintain normal muscle mass.
Potassium, being also a calcium antagonist, is responsible for proper muscle tone (the so-called tonus) by increasing their tone. In addition, it helps to maintain the acid-base balance and thus maintain the homeostasis of the whole organism. Potassium is also responsible for stimulating insulin secretion.
You will also deliver potassium to your body with the help of dietary supplements. We recommend, for example, Litoxen Xenico in the form of water-soluble tablets.
Potassium – effect on health
If our body is functioning properly, there is a balance between potassium and sodium. Disturbances in the concentrations of these macronutrients cause the occurrence of one of the most common and serious diseases of civilization, i.e. hypertension and heart diseases. Unlike sodium, low potassium levels contribute to the development of these diseases.
It is rare for people to suffer from a potassium deficiency or excess. However, this happens in cases where the functioning of our body is disturbed.
Potassium deficiency, or hypokalemia, it can occur when we use diuretics to lower high blood pressure, in case of prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and in some kidney diseases. Symptoms of hypokalemia are weak, flaccid muscles, cardiac arrhythmias and a slight increase in blood pressure, and other disorders such as gas, acne, chronic fatigue, nervousness or fainting.
Hypokalemia can also be caused by an underactive thyroid gland, which leads to an increase in potassium excretion as well as a lack of potassium in the body. In addition, the causes of hypokalemia may also include massive hemorrhages, injuries, extensive burns, shock, steroid therapy, diabetic coma and Cushing’s syndrome.
Hyperkalemia, which is too much potassium, causes dangerous abnormal heart rhythms. Hyperkalemia occurs in the event of poor kidney function, severe infections, and the use of certain cardiac medications.
If hyperkalemia is suspected, it is best to avoid potassium-rich foods. Also, do not consume salt substitutes, herbal remedies, or supplements. All of these can increase your potassium level, rather than balancing it.
When our heart is disturbed or weakened, the doctor may test the level of potassium in the blood. When testing blood potassium, remember that it is done on an empty stomach, so our last meal should be eaten in the early evening hours of the previous day. If the concentration of this element is normal, the result will be in the range from 3,5 to 5,5 mmol / l.
Potassium supplementation may be necessary if the concentration becomes too low. It is worth choosing a good quality preparation, eg Potassium + Magnesium Viridian.
Potassium – sources in food products
Potassium is found in many foods. All types are good sources of potassium meats (i.e. chicken, rabbit, red meat and game); and fish such as salmon, cod flounder and sardines.
Potassium can be found in many popular vegetables such as broccoli, peas, beans, tomatoes, potatoes (especially the skin), sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Lentils are also a source of potassium – we especially recommend red lentil pasta available at Medonet Market.
Fruit such as bananas, kiwi, citrus, plums and apricots are good sources of potassium. It is worth knowing that dried apricots contain more potassium than fresh ones.
Other great sources of potassium are milk, yogurt, and nuts.
It is worth noting that in the case of potassium deficiency, you can use dietary supplements that contain potassium gluconate and banana puree. Such preparations should be used by people who are particularly exposed to stress, often have problems with contractions or lead an active lifestyle. Try, for example, Litoxen Xenico – a dietary supplement with electrolytes available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.
However, it must not be forgotten that, just as the deficiency and excess of potassium can lead to serious health problems, therefore, before using preparations containing potassium, we should consult a doctor.
Keep in mind that adults should consume about 2000-4000 mg of potassium per day. People who lose weight should be careful about the appropriate concentration of this element, because they risk losing it. The same applies to people whose diets contain large amounts of sweets, salt, coffee or alcohol, which in turn increase the excretion of potassium from the body.
Potassium for alcohol poisoning
Interestingly, potassium is a great hangover remedy, because it is this element that, after alcohol poisoning, we lack (when we are tired of a hangover, it is worth using tomatoes or juices, sauces or concentrates made from them, because these vegetables contain a huge amount of this element), and in addition is also a source of vitamin C, which has a detoxifying effect. Alcohol has the effect of flushing electrolytes out of our body, which leads to disorders such as muscle spasms, palpitations or high blood pressure. Even more so after a drunk evening it is worth replenishing the electrolytes and reaching for Aqua Kick Electrolyte – a set of electrolytes in OstroVit sachets.