Healthy Potassium Level

Potassium belongs to the class of nutrients called minerals. According to "Nutrition and You," approximately 95 percent of the potassium in your body is found inside of the cells and the remaining 5 percent is located outside your cells and in the blood. Potassium performs numerous functions in the body so it is important to maintain a healthy potassium level to ensure proper health.

Functions of Potassium

Potassium plays a vital role in muscle contraction and the transmission of nerve impulses. One of the most important muscles that potassium controls is the heart. Abnormal potassium levels can affect normal heartbeat. Potassium also helps to buffer the blood, which keeps the levels of calcium and phosphorous normal. This buffering ability contributes to bone health and strength. Potassium also helps lower blood pressure by triggering the release of excess sodium from the body.

Normal Potassium Levels

Normal potassium levels in the blood ensure the proper functioning of the nerve cells and muscle cells. Your blood potassium levels should be between 3.6 and 4.8 mEq/L of blood. If potassium levels fluctuate out of normal ranges, it can cause various negative health effects.

Too Much Potassium

If you have too much potassium in your body, it can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood. Hyperkalemia can be caused by the excessive use of potassium supplements, so it is important to closely follow supplement directions when using supplements. Hyperkalemia can cause damage to the heart, which can lead to irregular heartbeats.

Too Little Potassium

Lower than normal levels of potassium in the blood is a condition called hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can occurs when electrolyte imbalance is disrupted by chronic vomiting or diarrhea or when you do not consume enough potassium. Symptoms of hypokalemia include muscle weakness, muscle cramps and irregular heartbeat. If left untreated, hypokalemia can even lead to paralysis.

Considerations

In order to keep potassium levels within healthy ranges, it is important to consume enough potassium on a daily basis. The best way to ensure you get enough potassium is through your diet. Foods that contain potassium include leafy green vegetables, fruits, dairy, nuts and legumes. The Food and Nutrition Board, which is a subgroup of the Institute of Medicine, recommends consuming 4,700 mg of potassium every day.