If you've ever woke up in the middle of the night grabbing your calf and hollering out in excruciating pain, only to have a parent or partner tell you to eat more bananas, they are on to something. Potassium deficiency can cause sleep problems, most often as a result of uncontrollable movements.
Potassium Basics
The mineral potassium is vital to the proper function of the human body's cells, organs and fluids, including the heart and digestive organs. Potassium is found naturally in many meats, fruits, vegetables and legumes.
Potassium and Sleep
Because of its contribution to muscle function and health, a severe deficiency in potassium can result in restless leg syndrome or the occasional muscle spasm that literally kicks you out of your slumber. These nighttime interruptions mean sleep quality can suffer, and therefore lead to daytime drowsiness. Leg cramps --- often referred to as charley horses --- can also wake you up abruptly and painfully. Muscle spasms during sleep aren't isolated to the legs; they can also occur in arms.
Symptoms of Potassium Deficiency
Low potassium --- also called hypokalemia --- has several symptoms, including lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances or an irregular heartbeat. Muscle cramps are the symptom most associated with sleep problems caused by lack of potassium. This deficiency can be caused by a lack of potassium intake, but is most often caused by losing too much of the mineral in the urine or intestines.
Preventing Potassium Deficiency
Taking potassium supplements, with medical supervision, can help prevent restless-leg syndrome and other symptoms of a potassium deficiency. Eating a diet rich in calcium can also keep levels of the mineral at a healthy level. Good sources of potassium include very common foods, such as bananas, citrus juices, avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, lima beans, flounder, cod, salmon and chicken. Also, a balance of sodium and magnesium can help regulate potassium levels. Low potassium often can be caused by a magnesium deficiency; foods such as spinach and mustard greens are high in magnesium.
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