Potassium is one of the most abundant minerals in your body. In fact, without potassium, many bodily functions could not take place. Your body's supply of potassium is quickly depleted during times of stress. Too much stress and a lack of adequate dietary sources of potassium can put you at a higher risk of a potassium deficiency, which poses serious health problems.
Importance of Potassium
Almost every tissue, organ and cell requires potassium to function properly. Potassium helps regulate heart function, maintains bone health and helps with smooth muscle contraction, so it also plays a role in digestion and muscle function. Most Americans do not get enough potassium from their diets, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, although a true deficiency is unusual. Although it's not common in Western societies, potassium deficiency can result in a condition known as hypokalemia, which causes symptoms such as decreased energy, fatigue, cramps and irregular heartbeat. As you get older, your risk of developing hypokalemia increases due to a decline in the efficiency of kidney functioning. Vomiting, such as in bulimia, excessive sweating and Crohn's disease can also cause hypokalemia. A low potassium intake can also increase your risk of stroke, according to a study published in the August 2002 issue of the journal "Neurology." Some research, mostly performed on laboratory animals, has found that diets high in potassium may have a protective effect against certain symptoms of stress.
About Stress
Not all stress is bad. In fact, a certain level of stress helps you function better, helps you meet deadlines and increases productivity. Too little stress can leave you feeling bored, apathetic and unchallenged. However, too much stress can cause you to feel like a wire that's been stretched too tightly. Too much stress can also increase your risk of developing serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and mental issues like anxiety, excessive fear and anger. Learning healthy stress relief techniques, such as meditation, yoga or tai chi, can help you better handle stress. Stress can also cause your body to lose potassium through urine, according to chiropractor Eric Berg. Increasing your intake of potassium, available in foods like bananas and orange juice, may help protect your body from some of the effects of stress.
Clinical Evidence
A study performed on laboratory sheep and published in the February 1978 issue of the "Journal of Steroid Biochemistry" showed that stress plays a role in fluctuations of aldosterone secretion. Aldosterone is a hormone responsible for the release of potassium in your kidneys. Another study, published in the May 1991 issue of the "American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology," showed that potassium supplementation had a beneficial effect on reducing blood pressure and decreasing certain responses to induced environmental stress in laboratory rats. A study published in the May 1999 issue of the journal "Health Psychology" showed that potassium supplementation induced a decrease in blood pressure levels in 47 percent of salt-sensitive study participants exposed to behavioral stress.
Considerations
While potassium may have a beneficial effect on some of the symptoms of high stress levels, you should not use potassium supplementation to treat any symptoms you may be experiencing. You cannot manage too much stress by simply taking a dietary supplement. Talk to your doctor or a qualified mental health care provider to discuss proper stress-management techniques and, if appropriate, potassium supplementation.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium
- "Neurology"; Serum Potassium Level and Dietary Potassium Intake as Risk Factors for Stroke; D.M. Green, M.D., et al.; August 2002
- BBC Health: Stress
- "Journal of Steroid Biochemistry"; Role of ACTH, Angiotensin and Potassium in Stress-induced Aldosterone Secretion; E. Espiner, et al.; February 1978
- "American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology"; High Potassium Intake Attenuates Antinatriuretic Response to Air Stress in DOCA-salt Rats; Y. Sato, et al.; May 1991
- "Health Psychology"; Potassium Supplementation Induces Beneficial Cardiovascular Changes During Rest and Stress in Salt Sensitive Individuals; S. West, et al.; May 1999
