Your body needs a variety of minerals to develop properly. You need minerals to strengthen bones, produce nerve signals and make hormones, KidsHealth.org explains. Potassium is an important mineral that plays numerous roles in your body, and understanding its function will help you understand more about your body.
Metabolism
Potassium is essential for the metabolism and synthesis of protein in your body. Proteins are formed from smaller compounds called animo acids. Without potassium, your body is unable to to turn amino acids into protein, according to MedlinePlus. Furthermore, potassium assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates, which are your body's main energy source. Potassium allows your body to efficiently convert dietary carbohydrates into simple sugars that can be used as energy.
Muscle Contraction and Nerve Impulse Transmission
Potassium, along with other minerals such as sodium and calcium, facilitates in the transmission of electrical impulses from cell to cell, the Linus Pauling Institute reports. Electrical impulses are what causes muscles to contract and make up the signals that nerves use to communicate. Therefore, potassium enables muscles to contract and ensures that signals from your nervous system are transported throughout your body.
Regulate Heartbeat
The heartbeat is determined by the nervous system. Potassium helps send messages from the nervous system to the heart, where these signals are interpreted and used to control the heartbeat. Normal levels of potassium in the blood and heart are essential for the maintenance of a regular heart function, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Insufficient levels of potassium can lead to irregular heartbeats and arrhythmia.
Bone Health
Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus often are used to create healthy strong bones, but high potassium levels have been associated with improved bone health, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Increasing your dietary intake of potassium can increase bone density and might prevent bone decay.
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