The Function Of Potassium In Body Processes

Potassium abounds inside every cell of your body and in your body fluids. The functions of potassium in your body processes involve all of your body systems. Your body requires a substantial ongoing supply of dietary potassium to replenish daily losses through your kidneys, gastrointestinal system and perspiration. Excessively high or low levels of potassium disrupt your body processes, potentially leading to serious complications.

Cell Signaling

Potassium has a positive electrical charge when dissolved in the water-based fluids of your body. The membranes surrounding your cells contain pores that actively absorb dissolved potassium, leading to a substantially higher concentration of the mineral inside your cells than in your body fluids. This difference in potassium concentration generates an electrical potential, which facilitates communication between cells via electrical signals. Your brain cells and nerves rely on the electrical potentials associated with potassium and sodium concentrations to generate the split-second signals that enable you to think, perceive and respond. The conduction system of your heart, which transmits electrical signals that stimulate and coordinate your heartbeat, also relies on an appropriate level of potassium.

Muscle Contraction

Muscular contraction and relaxation occur because of the movement of potassium, calcium and sodium into and out of muscle cells. Abnormally high or low levels of potassium, therefore, may disrupt muscle function. Muscle weakness occurs with both high and low potassium levels because both conditions disturb the chemical balance necessary for normal muscle cell function. You may experience muscle cramps if your potassium level is too low. Temporary muscle paralysis sometimes occurs with a critically elevated blood potassium level.

Chemical Cofactor

Potassium molecules are highly reactive, serving as cofactors in several chemical reactions in your body. Chemical processes that rely on potassium as a cofactor include the breakdown of stored glucose, cell signaling, synthesis of protein building blocks, production of genetic material for new cells and detoxification of alcohol byproducts.

Water Balance

Your kidneys control the amount of water in your body primarily via the excretion of sodium in exchange for potassium. When your body is dehydrated, your kidneys conserve sodium and excrete potassium using microscopic sodium-potassium pumps. Because water balance is a key factor in blood pressure, your sodium and potassium intake may influence your risk of hypertension and the subsequent development of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke. In a July 2011 article published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine," Quanhe Yang, Ph.D., and colleagues report that a diet low in potassium and high in sodium is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes.

Tip

The recommended intake for potassium is 4.7 grams daily for adolescents older than 13 and adults. Fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and nuts contain high concentrations of potassium and an array of other nutrients to support your good health.