Potassium is an important electrolyte and mineral used by the body in conjunction with sodium to maintain proper cell and heart function as well as muscle contraction. Your body requires a fine balance of potassium in your blood. High or low levels of potassium can be life-threatening. In addition, there is concern that the typical American diet -- which is high in sodium -- may be compromising potassium function. The best sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables, but potassium can also be found in dairy products.
Hypokalemia
Low levels of potassium in your blood, hypokalemia, is usually caused by excessive potassium loss. Potassium levels can be low due to prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, some potassium-wasting medications, kidney disease, alcoholism, abuse of laxatives, eating disorders or low magnesium levels. The symptoms of hypokalemia can be mild to severe and include weakness or cramping in your arms and legs, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, low blood pressure, psychosis, delirium, confusion and hallucinations.
Hyperkalemia
High levels of potassium in your blood is referred to as hyperkalemia. When your kidneys don't eliminate enough potassium from your body, dangerously high amounts can be found in your blood. Hyperkalemia can result from kidney failure, severe infection, and potassium-sparing medications. The symptoms of hyperkalemia are much the same as those for hypokalemia. Tingling in your arms and legs, muscular weakness, and temporary paralysis can all occur. In addition, you can develop an abnormal heart rhythm which can lead to cardiac arrest.
Potassium and Disease Prevention
Your intake of potassium may play a role in certain disease conditions. As reported by the Linus Pauling Institute, in 2004 an adequate intake level, or AI, for potassium was established due to the health benefits associated with adequate potassium intake. Potassium may decrease your risk of stroke, osteoporosis and kidney stones. In addition, people with the highest intakes of dietary potassium have lower blood pressure than those with low potassium intake.
Other Considerations
The American diet is typically rich in sources of sodium but lacking in potassium. This sodium-potassium imbalance may play a role in mortality. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, diets high in sodium and low in potassium put you at a 50 percent increased risk of death overall and double the risk of death from a heart attack. Elena Kuklina, a physician and nutritional epidemiologist with the CDC, reports that Americans consume over two times the amount of recommended sodium. The CDC recommends following the 2010 Dietary Guidelines to help improve blood pressure and reduce your risk of disease. The guidelines include limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day for otherwise healthy adults and less than 1,500 mg/day for those who are above age 51, African American, or have chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease. Potassium intake should be 4,700 mg per day unless otherwise indicated by your doctor.
Member Comments