Potassium is a vital mineral, needed for proper cell function. Potassium is also an electrolyte, which means it is capable of conducting electricity. Muscle cells and nerve cells depend on an adequate supply of potassium to perform their tasks.
Blood Pressure Regulation
Potassium added to the diet helps reduce blood pressure in patients who are potassium-deficient. According to an Oregon State University review, patients placed on a potassium supplementation regimen had a reduction in blood pressure. Never take potassium supplements without the advice of your doctor.
Stroke Prevention
Adequate amounts of potassium in the diet is associated with a lower risk of stroke. As blood pressure regulation plays a key role in stroke prevention, it makes sense that adequate amounts of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, will also moderate the risk of suffering a stroke.
Bone Health
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that at least one suggests a positive relationship exists between a potassium-rich diet and overall bone health. The university notes that more research is needed to confirm this relationship.
Kidney Function
Potassium decreases the incidence kidney stones. Kidney stones consist of calcium. Potassium reduces the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, and by doing so, decreases the occurrence of kidney stones.
Potassium Balance
For cells to work properly, potassium supplies must be kept in balance. Hyperkalemia, or too much sodium in the diet, is prevalent in Western cultures, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, due to the high amounts of sodium in the diet. Hyperkalemia often has no noticeable symptoms. However some symptoms include irregular heartbeat, nausea and a slow or weak pulse. Hypokalemia, or too little potassium in the body causes weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation and an abnormal heart rhythm.
Potassium in the Diet
A balanced diet provides all the potassium a healthy adult requires. The average adult requires 4,700mg of potassium each day. Foods rich in potassium include potatoes and sweet potatoes, greens and spinach, mushrooms, lima beans, peas, oranges and orange juice, tomatoes and bananas.
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