Potassium & Memory

Potassium is a mineral essential to the proper functioning and protection of all cells, tissues and organs in the human body. Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness or the inability to remember past and present events. Memory loss can be the result of brain damage, illness, normal aging, certain medical conditions and nutritional deficiencies. Optimal nutrition, including adequate potassium levels, is important for good memory and mental health. It can increase nerve signals and help protect cells.

About Potassium

In addition to being a mineral, potassium is an electrolyte, or a substance that conducts electricity in the body. As an electrolyte, potassium works with sodium, calcium, magnesium and chloride to dissociate ions, or charged particles. Potassium is crucial to skeletal and smooth muscle contractions, normal digestive and heart function, nerve transmission and coenzyme formation. Optimal functioning of the body depends on the tight regulation of potassium concentrations inside and outside of the cells. The ability of nerves to fire depends on the presence of electrolytes such as potassium in the body.

About Memory

Memories require the use of the entire brain, not just one specific area. Memories are created when electrical impulses are signaled in the brain. Nerve cells communicate via these electrical signals. Electrical impulses trigger the release of chemicals that fire across tiny gaps, or synapses. As each cell communicates with another, chemical changes at the synapse make it easier for the signals to pass. If only a few signals are sent, the change creates a temporary network of cells that results in short-term memory. However, if the signals keep coming, the change in the synapse becomes more active and permanent, creating a long-term memory.

Memory Loss

The brain is able to produce new brain cells at any age; therefore, memory loss is not always the result of aging. Your lifestyle, health habits and daily activities have a major impact on your mental health. Exercising your mind will help improve cognitive skills, protect your gray matter and prevent memory loss. Memory loss can be short-term or permanent. It can impact your ability to recall and describe specific incidents, or it can affect your judgment, decision-making skills and ability to hold a conversation. Memory loss is complex; it can occur suddenly or come on gradually and be a partial or total loss.

Function of Potassium

According to a study conducted at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the flow of potassium and consequent uptake of calcium is especially critical in cells responsible for memory formation and storage. The scientists placed a solution of low-level beta amyloid in normal human skin cells to cause changes in potassium channels similar to that of Alzheimer's disease patients. People with Alzheimer's disease have defects that interrupt the cells' ability to regulate potassium and calcium ions. These findings suggest that beta amyloid is a key to memory loss. It selectively targets and destroys potassium channels necessary for memory formation.

Considerations

It is important to contact your health care provider if you experience signs of memory loss because memory loss has a number of different causes. Treatment for loss of memory varies depending on your age, the cause and other symptoms you may experience. To promote healthy potassium levels, eat a variety of foods. Good sources of potassium include fruit such as bananas, citrus juice, cantaloupe, and melon; vegetables such as potatoes, avocados, tomato, lima beans and green leafy vegetables, as well as meat, poultry and fish.