Potassium, an essential nutrient for proper body function, has been identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a nutrient of concern due to low intake by the general public. Primary dietary sources of potassium include fruits and vegetables, such as bananas and potatoes. Consumption of fruits and vegetables is far lower than standard recommendations; fewer than one-third of Americans consume the recommended daily servings of fruit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nervous System Function
Electrochemical activity in your body maintains control of the nervous system. Potassium, like sodium, carries a positive charge. The body maintains an electrical gradient, called the membrane potential, between cells and surrounding fluid. The gradient's activity is essential for most basic life functions, including nerve impulse transmission and cardiovascular activity.
Acid-Base Balance
The internal environment of the human body maintains a pH of about 7.4 in arterial blood and 7.35 in the veins. Byproducts of chemical reactions, such as the breakdown of stored sugars in anaerobic conditions, can affect the body's pH state. Potassium and other charged elements or ions serve a vital role in the stability of bodily pH. This balance provides the optimal environment for essential life processes to occur.
Blood Pressure
Because of its role in nervous system function, potassium helps to regulate blood pressure. Scientific evidence supports the conclusion that a diet rich in potassium is associated with lower blood-pressure readings. A 2001 study by the University of South Carolina and Palmetto Health Alliance found compelling statistical evidence that potassium intake was associated with both lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Evidence exists that a deficiency may have negative consequences; a 1997 study by the University of Arkansas linked low potassium intake with high blood pressure.
Protein Synthesis
To build muscle, the body must synthesize the necessary proteins from the raw materials provided by a healthy diet. Potassium acts as a catalyst for chemical reactions that drive protein synthesis, which, in turn, helps in the buildup of muscle mass and normal body growth. Potassium's role in carbohydrate metabolism helps provide the energy necessary for these reactions.
References
- "Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010"; USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion; 2010
- "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report"; State-Specific Trends in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Adults -- United States, 2000-2009; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; September 10, 2010
- Oregon State University; Linus Pauling Institute; Potassium; Jane Higdon; February 2004
- "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology"; G. Tortora, et al.; 2005
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Impact of Diet on Blood Pressure and Age-Related Changes in Blood Pressure in the US Population: Analysis of NHANES III; I. Hajjar, et al.; February 2001
- "American Journal of Medical Sciences"; The Effects of Potassium Depletion and Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Clinical Review; Y. Barri and C. Wingo; July 1997
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