1. On the Prowl for Potassium
Potassium is an essential nutrient for a healthy body. It's one of the main electrolytes you need for proper fluid balance within the body, and it's also important for proper kidney function. The recommended daily allowance for potassium is 3500 mg.
2. Potassium Supplements
It's always best to check with your doctor before taking potassium supplements since potassium interferes with certain medications, and individuals with certain conditions should not take potassium supplements. Also, certain oral contraceptives can raise the blood level of potassium over time. Women should talk with their gynecologists to determine what oral contraceptives are right for their circumstances. Pregnant women should check with their obstetricians to determine how much potassium they need to consume since potassium needs increase during pregnancy. Muscle cramps during pregnancy are usually a sign of low potassium levels.
3. More Peas, Please
Fortunately, it's usually possible to get all the potassium you need from foods. High potassium foods include several types of fish, such as salmon and tuna. A variety of fruits, like oranges, bananas and cantaloupe, also contain potassium. Busy individuals might enjoy portable snacks that contain potassium, such as raisins and almonds. The following are also foods that contain potassium: peas, pinto beans, peanut butter, pork and potatoes.
4. Potassium Problems
A simple blood test can detect the amount of potassium in your blood. Hypokalemia is a condition in which the blood doesn't contain enough potassium, and it can be life-threatening. The opposite condition is hyperkalemia. Kidney disease can also affect potassium blood levels. Potassium deficiency can lead to all sorts of health problems, including high blood pressure and cardiac disturbances such as heart arrhythmias. Potassium levels can also be disrupted and depleted following excessive diarrhea or vomiting. Keep in mind, though, that diarrhea and vomiting can also be signs of potassium toxicity.
5. You Can't Have One Without the Other
Maintaining the right level of potassium is dependent upon sodium levels. Consuming too much sodium can negatively affect potassium levels. Limit your consumption of prepackaged foods, and carefully read product labels to determine a food item's sodium content. Also, limit your consumption of high-sodium fast food. The relationship between potassium and sodium is obvious when you consider one particular condition: high blood pressure. High sodium consumption leads to high blood pressure, and having proper potassium levels is linked to lower blood pressure.
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