Potassium is a mineral that your body requires for good health. While deficiency of this mineral is more commonly associated with negative side effects, too much potassium in your diet can also be harmful to your health.
Normal Function
One of potassium's primary functions in your body when the mineral is consumed in proper amounts is as an electrolyte. Your system uses electrolytes to send electrical signals within your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, without potassium, your body would have difficulty maintaining a steady heartbeat, contracting your muscles and digesting the food you eat.
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is the scientific term for excessively high levels of potassium in the blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy potassium levels should be between 3.6 and 4.8 mEq/L. Levels in excess of 6.0 mEq/L can be extremely harmful. Hyperkalemia can be caused by conditions such as kidney disease, alcohol or drug abuse or diabetes. Its effects can range from weakness or fatigue to irregular heartbeat and even paralysis.
RDI
Babies 6 months or younger need 0.4 g of potassium per day; those 1 year or younger need 0.7 g per day, according to Medline Plus by the National Institutes of Health. Children age 1 to 3 need 3 g daily; from age 4 to 8, they need 3.8 g; from age 9 to 13, they need 4.5 g. From age 14 on, both males and females need 4.7 g of potassium daily.
Sources
If you find yourself dealing with a case of hyperkalemia, the cause could be a combination of excess potassium supplementation while eating significant amounts of potassium-rich foods. For example, bananas, potatoes, raisins and oranges are all rich in potassium. You should follow your doctor's advice for dealing with hyperkalemia, but treatment could be as simple as reducing your potassium intake.
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