If you are experiencing pain in your thighs, you may have low potassium levels. Low potassium levels can be caused by a variety of factors, including exercise, certain medication or poor diet. Diet is, however, the least likely culprit for low potassium because many foods are rich in this mineral. However, if you are potassium deficient, an increase in potassium-rich foods should help prevent such thigh pains.
Thigh Pain
Potassium-related thigh pain usually comes in the form of cramps or muscle spasms. Exercise is a common cause of such muscle cramps because potassium, and other minerals such as magnesium, sodium and chloride, are lost during sweating. The Mayo Clinic defines these type of muscular pains as "sudden and involuntary contractions of one or more of your muscles." These pains can occur in any part of your body but tend to occur in the calf and thigh muscles most.
Electrolytes
Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and calcium are also known as electrolytes. A lack of electrolytes can result in leg muscle spasms and cramps. These types of cramps often occur at night. According to the National Institutes of Health, "cramps often occur after exercise or at night, lasting a few seconds to several minutes." The reason such cramps occur is because the body relies on electrolytes to relax the muscle tissue. After exercise, spasms may occur in the muscle fiber, but a lack of electrolytes such as potassium prevents them from relaxing after they temporarily seize up. Mineral Resources International asserts that "low levels of minerals can allow the muscle to contract but prevent it from relaxing."
Potassium-rich Foods
Potassium is essential in preventing muscle pain, spasms and cramps. Potassium is found in a variety of foods, including red meat, poultry, seafood such as salmon and tuna, broccoli, peas, beans, potatoes, citrus fruits, bananas, kiwis and apricots. Most isotonic sports drinks also contain electrolytes, including potassium.
Other Causes
Potassium deficiency, also known as hypokalemia, can be caused by factors other than exercise. Diarrhea, steroids and laxative pills can all cause a significant decrease in potassium levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, "diuretics are probably the most common cause of hypokalemia."
Other Benefits of Potassium
Potassium is vital to good overall health. Potassium helps regulate the blood's acid-alkaline levels, assists in protein synthesis, builds muscle and helps regulate the electrical activity of the heart.
