Potassium For Fluid Retention

Potassium is an essential mineral necessary for the proper functioning of all cells, tissues and organs in the human body. Along with sodium, magnesium, calcium and chloride, potassium is an important electrolyte; it is required for normal fluid balance within the body. A lack of adequate potassium can result in water retention. When fluid builds up in the body, it can cause swelling, weight gain and other complications. To avoid fluid retention, it is important to consume a sufficient amount of potassium-rich foods.

Function

Along with fluid balance, potassium is responsible for acid-base balance, protein synthesis from amino acids, carbohydrate metabolism, building muscle, normal growth and development, regular electrical activity of the heart, blood pressure maintenance, nerve function and respiration of carbon dioxide.

Recommended Dietary Intake

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine established recommendations regarding the optimal amount of potassium in the diet. On average, children ages 4 to 8 years old need 3,800 mg, ages 9 to 13 require 4,500 mg and adolescents 14 to 17 need 4,700 mg of potassium per day. Adults 18 and up also need 4,700 mg daily. Women need more potassium during lactation. Breast-feeding women require 5,100 mg of potassium per day.

Potassium-Rich Foods

Potassium is found in a variety of different foods. Good sources include meat, poultry and fish; soy products; vegetables including broccoli, lima beans, tomatoes, potatoes and squash; fruits such as bananas, melon, citrus fruits and juices, kiwi, prunes and apricots; dried beans and peas; nuts; seeds; and dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose potassium-rich foods instead of foods high in sodium to balance your electrolyte intake and reduce symptoms of fluid retention.

Edema

Edema results in severe swelling of the body from the accumulation of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the body. Edema most commonly affects the hands, feet, ankles, legs, abdomen and face. Symptoms of edema include abdominal bloating, swollen limbs, facial puffiness, shortness of breath, muscle aches, pain, redness, sudden changes in mental state and coma. Edema is a symptom, but not a disease. A potassium deficiency might result in edema. (See Reference 5) A potassium deficiency is typically the result of vomiting, diarrhea or profuse sweating. Rare kidney conditions, adrenal gland disorders, malnutrition and malabsorption can also contribute to low potassium levels.

Potassium for Fluid Balance

Low levels of potassium in your body might or might not be responsible for water retention and edema, but this important mineral and electrolyte is vital to balancing your sodium levels and reducing fluid buildup. Maintaining the right potassium balance in the body depends on the amount of sodium and magnesium in the blood. Too much sodium increases the body's need for potassium and leads to water retention. Accumulation of fluid in the body occurs when not enough potassium is present in your diet to counteract your sodium intake. Eating potassium-rich foods, in addition to exercise and a well-balanced eating pattern, can help reduce fluid retention in your body.