Potassium is one of the vital minerals your body needs to function normally and remain healthy. Potassium is also an electrolyte, which means that it helps to carry an electrical charge throughout your body. Furthermore, electrolytes influence the water volume in the body, the level of acidity and alkalinity of the blood, muscle activity and muscle contraction, MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, explains. A macromineral, potassium cannot be made by your body and must be obtained through the diet.
Food Sources
Potassium is found in a wide selection of foods. It is present in seafood such as clams, rockfish, tuna and cod. Potassium is also found in vegetables such as potato, sweet potato, beet greens, white beans, carrot, lima beans, kidney beans, winter squash, spinach and lentils. Prunes, bananas, cantaloupes and oranges are potassium-rich fruits. Soy products and dairy products are also sources of potassium, the United States Department of Agriculture notes.
Function
As an electrolyte, potassium is needed by all the cells in the body, especially nerve tissue and muscle cells, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. The proper breakdown and metabolism of carbohydrates and protein requires potassium. Furthermore, potassium is vital in the maintenance of both blood pressure and the acid-base balance within the body.
Normal Amounts of Potassium in the Body
The potassium level of a person can be identifiedwith a laboratory blood test analysis. The normal blood potassium level in the body is from 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L, MayoClinic explains. Abnormal potassium levels point to possibly life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention.
Low Potassium Levels
People with certain medical conditions or heart diseases who are taking diuretics, steroids or laxatives to prevent sodium and water retention, are more prone to develop potassium deficiency in the blood or hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is mainly caused by an increase in your frequency of urination, which washes away the electrolytes in your body, the American Heart Association explains. Other possible causes of hypokalemia include diarrhea, eating disorders, vomiting and excessive perspiration, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. The loss of potassium can sometimes be severe. Potassium blood level monitoring is advised for patients at risk for hypokalemia.
High Potassium Levels
Hyperkalemia occurs when potassium in the blood exceeds normal levels. Dialysis patients with kidney failure are susceptible to hyperkalemia, as well as people who are suffering from severe infections and kidney problems. Hyperkalemia may also be caused by potassium supplements and certain kidney medications, MedlinePlus explains.
References
- MedlinePlus; Potassium in Diet; David Zieve; April 26, 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypokalemia -- Overview; David C. Dugdale; August 3, 2009
- MayoClinic; Hyperkalemia (High Potassium); December 4, 2009
- United States Department of Agriculture; Appendix B. Food Sources of Selected Nutrients; July 9, 2008
- American Hearth Association: Potassium
