Importance of Potassium in the body

The natural diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is rich in potassium and low in sodium, helping to maintain normal blood pressure and sometimes lowering elevated blood pressure. The body contains more potassium than sodium.

 

Potassium is an essential mineral found in most foods. Along with sodium and calcium, potassium helps regulate major body functions, including normal heart rhythm, blood pressure, water balance in the body, digestion, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and pH balance (the balance of acidity and alkalinity in the body). 

 

Potassium is very important in the human body. Along with sodium, it regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in the blood and tissues. Potassium enters the cell more readily than does sodium and instigates the brief sodium-potassium exchange across the cell membranes. In the nerve cells, this sodium-potassium flux generates the electrical potential that aids the conduction of nerve impulses. When potassium leaves the cell, it changes the membrane potential and allows the nerve impulse to progress. This electrical potential gradient, created by the "sodium-potassium pump," helps generate muscle contractions and regulates the heartbeat. Another of the pump's most important functions is preventing the swelling of cells. If sodium is not pumped out, water accumulates within the cell causing it to swell and ultimately burst.

 

Potassium is very important in cellular biochemical reactions and energy metabolism; it participates in the synthesis of protein from amino acids in the cell. Potassium also functions in carbohydrate metabolism; it is active in glycogen and glucose metabolism, converting glucose to glycogen that can be stored in the liver for future energy. Potassium is important for normal growth and for building muscle.

Though sodium is readily conserved by the body, there is no effective method for potassium conservation. Even when a potassium shortage exists, the kidneys continue to excrete it. Because the human body relies on potassium balance for a regularly contracting heart and a healthy nervous system, it is essential to strive for this electrolyte's balance.

 

 

Normal range quantities of Potassium in the body

Potassium is a very significant body mineral, important to both cellular and electrical function. It is one of the main blood minerals called "electrolytes" (the others are sodium and chloride), which means it carries a tiny electrical charge (potential). Potassium is the primary positive ion (cation) found within the cells, where 98 percent of the 120 grams of potassium contained in the body is found. The blood serum contains about 4-5 mg. (per 100 ml.) of the total potassium; the red blood cells contain 420 mg., which is why a red-blood-cell level is a better indication of an individual's potassium status than the commonly used serum level.
The normal adult value for potassium is 3.5-5.3 mEq/L. 

 

 

Effects to the body if the element is present in low quantities or absent

 

Magnesium helps maintain the potassium in the cells, but the sodium and potassium balance is as finely tuned as those of calcium and phosphorus or calcium and magnesium. Research has found that a high-sodium diet with low potassium intake influences vascular volume and tends to elevate the blood pressure. Then doctors may prescribe diuretics that can cause even more potassium loss, aggravating the underlying problems. The appropriate course is to shift to natural, potassium foods and away from high-salt foods, lose weight if needed, and follow an exercise program to improve cardiovascular tone and physical stamina.

 

The natural diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is rich in potassium and low in sodium, helping to maintain normal blood pressure and sometimes lowering elevated blood pressure. The body contains more potassium than sodium, about nine ounces to four, but the American diet, with its reliance on fast foods, packaged convenience foods, chips, and salt has become high in sodium (salt). Because the body's biochemical functions are based on the components found in a natural diet, special mechanisms conserve sodium, while potassium is conserved somewhat less.

 

 

Effects to the body if the element is present in excess

 

Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte imbalance and is indicated by a high level of potassium in the blood.

One way your body regulates blood potassium levels is by shifting potassium into and out of cells.  When there is a breakdown or destruction of cells, the electrolyte potassium moves from inside of the cell to outside of the cell wall.  This shift of potassium outside of the cells causes hyperkalemia.

 

Potassium is excreted (or "flushed out" of your system) by your kidneys. Any damage to your kidneys, when they are not working properly, may cause an increase in potassium levels leading to hyperkalemia.

 

As seen with tumor lysis syndrome - when you receive chemotherapy, the drugs will act by breaking down the tumor cells. When there is a rapid amount of cellular destruction, the components of the cells (including potassium), will move outside of the cell, and into the blood stream. People, who receive chemotherapy for leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, may be at risk for tumor lysis syndrome, if there is a large amount of disease present.

 

Most excess potassium is eliminated in the urine; some is eliminated in the sweat. Alcohol, coffee (and caffeine drinks), sugar, and diuretic drugs, however, cause potassium losses and can contribute to lowering the blood potassium. This mineral is also lost with vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Where does our body get Potassium from

 

The body cannot make potassium on its own and must get it from foods. Potassium is found in foods such as apricots, potatoes, bananas, oranges, pineapples, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and lean meat. Most salt substitutes also contain large amounts of potassium. Potassium supplements may be prescribed by doctors for patients with imbalances in blood chemicals.

 

References: 
 

• Elson M. Haas, M. (2011, July 17). Role of Potassium in Maintaining Health. Retrieved Septiembre 8, 2014, from HKPP: http://hkpp.org/patients/potassium-health

• Initiative, T. S. (n.d.). Hyperkalemia (High Potassium). Retrieved September 8, 2014, from Chemocare: http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/hyperkalemia-high-potassium.aspx#.VAzyMMKwZaY

• Potassium. (2010, October 21). Retrieved September 8, 2014, from Cancer: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/potassium

• Potassium Properties. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2014, from Elemental Matter : http://www.elementalmatter.info/potassium-properties.htm

 

 

Made by: Elizabeth Niño on September 06, 2014.