Potassium is a vital part of your body's mineral needs. As an electrolyte, it is involved in several of the body's electrical and cellular functions, such as regulating heart rhythm and acid balance, maintaining bone mass, keeping the kidneys and lungs functioning, and ensuring proper nerve activity. Because so many critical functions are associated with this mineral, maintaining proper levels in the body is very important; too much or too little potassium can lead to serious health complications.
Potassium and Your Health
All cells, organs and tissues in the body need potassium in some way or another to keep functioning, the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, explains. Without enough of this mineral, the heart cannot maintain a steady heartbeat because potassium regulates the activity of your muscles as well as the electrical impulse transmission in your nervous system. In addition, it helps convert glucose into glycogen, making it essential for the body's process of energy conversion and usage. Potassium also neutralizes acids that may otherwise cause joint pain and headaches.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia refers to a low potassium condition, usually caused by the loss of too much potassium in the intestines or through urination. Excessive consumption of salt, caffeine or diuretics can bring on this condition. Patients with kidney problems are also at risk, MayoClinic.com says.
Symptoms include weakness, irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lack of energy and muscle cramps. Severe cases of hypokalemia can be life-threatening and may cause muscle paralysis. The treatment invariably involves restoration of the body's proper potassium level.
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is the opposite of hypokalemia. When the body carries an excess of potassium, the electrical impulses that cause muscles to move are disrupted. The condition can be a result of other medical conditions such as acute kidney failure and chronic kidney failure, says MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH.
Hyperkalemia can lead to uncontrollable vomiting, weak pulse and irregular heartbeat. Serious cases can cause the heart to stop, or lead to complete or partial paralysis. The mortality rate for untreated hyperkalemia is as high as 67 percent.
Osteoporosis
Potassium is a major factor in preventing osteoporosis. The reason older women are more prone to this disease is because they are unable to maintain optimum potassium levels after menopause. Studies have shown that regular consumption of potassium has been linked with increased bone density, as the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University reports. As such, women over 45 years old should take note of their daily potassium intake to ensure they maintain a healthy bone mass.
Recommended Daily Intake
The recommended daily dose of potassium is 4.7 grams per day, though those involved in more strenuous physical exertion may need more, Colorado State University advises. Potassium can be easily obtained from a wide variety of foods, such as meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Good sources of this mineral include chicken, fish, milk, yogurt, apricots, avocados, bananas, carrots, spinach, squash and tomatoes. Avoid eating processed foods and choose fresh foods instead. This will help you minimize sodium consumption and boost your potassium levels at the same time.
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