Potassium

Potassium is a major mineral essential for the inner working of the cell. It is most abundant in fruits and vegetables, but also ever present in dairy foods and other animal products. The biochemical role of potassium is the body is maintenance of normal water balance, regulation of neuromuscular activity. We need it for normal cell growth. Potassium is related to muscle mass and glucose storage, if muscle is being formed, an adequate supply of potassium is essential.

Potassium and blood pressure-boosting your intake of potassium seems to be protective against hypertension and may control blood pressure more effectively than a low sodium diet does. Potassium helps to make arteries stronger and better able to withstand the blood vessel damage that occurs with aging.

Muscle cramps-Electrolyte imbalance such s lack of potassium may play a role in muscle cramps. This can be ruled out by eating potassium-rich foods on a daily basis focusing on fruits and vegetables.

Potassium is lost along with other body fluids during periods of vomiting, diarrhea and intense exercise.

Potassium is found in the most wholesome foods-fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, lentils, beans, nuts and protein foods. Refined or highly processed foods, sweets, and oil foods (salad dressing, butter, etc) are poor sources of potassium

To increase you potassium:

• Choose whole grains over white bread and flour products
• Eat more salads and raw or steamed vegetables- cook in only small amounts of water as potassium leaches into the water. Steaming leaches 3-6% of the potassium whereas boiling leached 10-15%.
• Eat potatoes more often than rice noodles and pasta
• Choose natural fruit drinks instead of fruit- flavored beverages or over soft drinks

Potassium and electrolyte replacement supplements. If you are tempted to replace potassium with commercially prepared fluid replacement beverages such as Gatorade of PowerAde be advised that 8 oz of either supplement provides only 30 mgs/serving. A banana is 450 mgs, 8oz pineapple juice 330 mgs and orange juice 475mgs/8oz.

When you have to limit your potassium intake- because the kidney is essential for excretion of excess potassium people with chronic renal failure have to restrict their intake. High serum potassium can also be a side effect of certain medications. Because it is so common in the food supply and has the potential for life threatening cardiac complications, I suggest you seek the assistance of a qualified health professional to review your diet and make the necessary recommendations.

"What effect does high potassium levels have on patients with heart disease ?"

Potassium is a mineral (a micronutrient that is found in fruits and vegetables) that is an indispensable dietary constituent Among its many roles in the body it is essential for normal muscular function. The heart is a muscle. Too little potassium interrupts the activity of the heart, as does potassium overload. Excess potassium causes an increased fibrillation of the heart and death in extreme cases.

In heart disease high potassium is likely to be due to medications used to treat high blood pressure. These medications tend to conserve potassium in the blood. The medications in question are classified as ACE inhibitors and include Accupril, Altace, Capoten, Lotensin, Monopril, Prinivil, Vasotec and Zestril. We usually counsel patients taking these medications on low potassium diet if the MD agrees. Sometimes people taking these medications take other drugs that cancel out the effect- they might take water pills that cause potassium losses. People taking these medications should not take potassium supplements or potassium based salt substitutes without the permission of their MDs.

The main reason for potassium overload in disease is when there is an inability to rid the body of excess in the urine e.g. kidney failure. The normal kidney is capable of excretion- exceptions are cases of severe burns or crushing injuries, severe infections or overtreatment with potassium salts and potassium sparing medications such as those mentioned above.