HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin and it is a hormone produced by a pregnant woman's placenta. Pregnant women need to be concerned about HCG levels in order to avoid complications. Knowing, and engaging in, varieties of aerobics may help to increase your low HCG levels. Remember to consult with your physician prior to starting any new exercise, since not all exercises may benefit your individual state of health.
Your blood potassium levels are usually regulated by your body. But in certain circumstances potassium may become tougher to find and retain in the body, resulting in a condition called hypokalemia. Low potassium is usually not...
Certain diuretics have the potential to lower your body's potassium levels as your body loses potassium through urination. Diuretics act to lower blood pressure by eliminating sodium and excess water from your body through urin...
Hypokalemia -- or low potassium -- is typically associated with problems that decrease the levels of fluid in your body. In contrast, edema is defined as swelling caused by your body retaining fluid.
Potassium exists as a charged mineral, called an electrolyte, in the body. It is important for electrical conduction in cells, including nerve, muscle, heart and other types of cells. Changes in the level of potassium can effec...
Your body uses potassium to support the functioning of several cell types, including your muscles and nerves. Extremely low intake of potassium can contribute to clinically low potassium levels -- a condition called hypokalemia...
Instead, you should increase your potassium intake. This can be done through diet or supplementation. Drinking more fluids, however, can’t return the level of potassium in the blood to a normal range, unless, of course, t...
Drinking a lot of cola is linked to low potassium levels in individual case studies, but not in larger clinical studies. Over time, low potassium levels can lead to potassium deficiency, called hypokalemia. The recommended diet...
Among other functions, potassium is required for heart function, normal digestion and muscle contractions. A low level of potassium in the blood can cause heart problems but not seizures. However, when potassium levels in the b...
It balances the fluid level in the body and assists with muscle contractions, including the heartbeat. When the kidneys are impaired, as is the case with diabetes, they may allow an excess of potassium to remain in the blood, w...
Your doctor may prescribe a low-potassium diet if you have kidney disease. Medications you take for other conditions may also make this diet necessary. A low-potassium diet does not mean you need to eliminate fish. When your he...
Research on causes and effective treatments for this condition is limited, with inconclusive results. A healthy diet rich in nutrients is one suggested treatment option. One nutrient that could help manage fatigue and muscle-re...
Cancer can affect any part of the body. The general symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, malaise, weight loss and chills. Treatment may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Certain supplements such...
It is in higher concentration in certain tissues, however. Tissue damage from various diseases can release alkaline phosphatase into the blood, which can be detected on a blood test. Low levels of alkaline phosphatase are less ...
Low potassium, or hypokalemia is a condition in which the potassium levels in your body fall below the normal level of 3.5 mEq/L. Low levels of potassium give off an array of symptoms including tiredness and weakness, explains ...
Along with sodium, it maintains the body's water and pH balances, sustaining blood pressure and other physiologic processes. Hypokalemia is the clinical name for low potassium levels and refers to blood levels lower than 3.6 to...
Vitamins play a critical role in maintaining your overall health. For example, vitamins help to prevent progressive heart damage and they aid in bone growth. Low vitamin levels in your body indicate a specific vitamin deficienc...
You need to get the right amount of potassium in your diet for your body to function normally. Potassium levels that get too high or too low can cause a variety of symptoms and health problems, such as feeling lightheaded. If y...
Potassium is an essential mineral needed for the proper functioning of nerve and muscle cells. Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, is a serious health condition that may result from excessive loss of fluids from sweating, vo...
Potassium is a mineral naturally present in many fruits and vegetables that your body uses to support the functions of your heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves and more. While potassium can have many protective benefits, if you hav...
An optimum blood potassium levels falls between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L. If your level falls below 3.6 mEq/L, your doctor will recommend guidelines to prevent your potassium from declining further. If y...
Potassium is an essential mineral that you get from food. Having a lower than normal amount of potassium in your blood can cause symptoms such as fatigue and muscle weakness. Dizziness and fainting can signal serious dehydratio...
Potassium plays several vital roles in the body and there can be health complications if your level gets too low or too high. The success of any treatment program to bring your potassium levels up to normal depends on the cause...
Some disorders, such as multiple myeloma, increase your total protein level, while others, such as liver failure, lower it. A low total serum protein level can result from deficits in one specific protein or class of proteins o...
Secreted in the adrenal glands of both men and women, DHEA metabolizes cholesterol to create sex hormones. The amount of DHEA in your body declines with age; however, certain medical conditions and possible lifestyle factors al...
Hypokalemia is a low blood potassium level. If your serum potassium level is between 3.6 mEq/L and 4.8 mEq/L, it is normal. However, if your potassium falls below 2.5 mEq/L, you are at risk for life-threatening manifestations o...
If the results of a blood test indicate low levels of potassium in your blood -- or hypokalemia -- expect your doctor to recommend a high-potassium diet. If that intervention is not adequate enough to raise your serum potassium...
It exists in several forms including acetyl L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine. Carnitine plays a role in energy production, acting as a vehicle that transports fatty acids to energy cell centers called mitochondria. You may...
Low potassium, known scientifically as hypokalemia, can develop into a serious health threat. Your body needs optimal levels of the mineral to ensure proper functioning of its cells and nerves. Apart from the elderly, in which ...
Viruses cause a number of different illnesses, from the common cold to HIV. Some are preventable with the treatment of vaccines, and others treatable with antiviral medication. Viruses cause a host of symptoms that can lead to ...
Potassium and salt, along with other minerals such as calcium and magnesium, carry an electric charge and are important in healthy nerve and muscle function, as well as in regulating body fluid levels and blood acidity. While h...
Potassium is an electrolyte that is essential for full body functioning. It ensures that your heart, lungs, muscles and a variety of other organ systems work properly. If your body does do not have enough potassium -- a conditi...
Hyperglycemia can trigger a severe depletion of potassium, a mineral that serves many critical functions in the human body. Carefully follow medical advice for diabetes management including dietary restrictions and medication t...
Potassium balance is maintained by intake of potassium in diet and regulation of potassium excretion. According to Irwin and Rippe's "Intensive Care Medicine," 80 percent of pancreatitis cases are associated with nausea and vom...
The intense pain may keep you from performing routine activities such as completing job-related tasks. Your ability to enjoy life can also become impaired. Current research points to your genetic makeup as the reason for migrai...
A low potassium level can produce several side effects and cause possible life-threatening complications. The only way to tell if your potassium levels are low is to have a blood test done to check potassium levels. If levels a...
Potassium, a mineral naturally found in your body, helps to keep your heart beating and your muscles functioning normally. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering potassium through your urine. When you take medications like ...
Potassium is one of seven major minerals your body requires. Potassium is an electrolyte, meaning it becomes a charged particle in solution, allowing it to conduct electricity. This property has a profound effect on your health...
Potassium is the most abundant cation, or positively charged ion, found inside human cells. Potassium is necessary for the proper functioning of skeletal muscles, kidneys and the heart. The effect of low blood potassium on the ...
One particular form of arthritis, called rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is linked to low blood levels of the mineral potassium, and potassium supplementation can potentially reduce rheumatoid arthritis-related pain. Seek your doc...
Taking a daily multivitamin can be an easy way for you to improve your nutrition. If you have a low intake of potassium from your diet, chances are you are lacking other essential nutrients. This is because potassium is found i...
However, if you have a health condition like kidney disease, your body's ability to filter potassium can be affected. As a result, your physician may recommend switching to a low-potassium diet to minimize the buildup of potass...
Fatigue and tired or cramped legs are symptoms of low potassium, also called hypokalemia. If you have these and other symptoms, get your potassium levels checked, along with other blood tests; a number of other underlying condi...
Once on hemodialysis, you'll probably need it at least three times a week to keep toxins from building up in your body. Typically, while you're on dialysis, your doctor will ask you to limit your potassium intake. Potassium is ...
Most Americans do not get enough potassium in their diets, according to a report by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. But people with lowered kidney function -- older adults and those with diabetes, for example --...
The nutrient can prevent osteoporosis, kidney stones and stroke, and helps maintain the balance of fluids within your body. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, is diagnosed when your potassium levels are less than 3.7 mEq/L. Several...
Potassium is a critical element and electrolyte that is needed for healthy functioning of your cells, nerves and muscles. Your body has to maintain your potassium levels within a fairly narrow range to keep you healthy. Too muc...
Since the nutrient carnitine transports fatty acids to mitochondria for use as fuel, it plays a crucial role in mitochondrial energy production. Your liver and kidneys make enough carnitine to meet your needs, under normal circ...
Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte for your body. It regulates muscle contractions including those of the heart, digestive system and skeletal muscle. A low potassium level is a serious condition known as hypokal...
Potassium is an electrolyte, which means it helps maintain proper fluid levels in and around the cells of your body. It also plays important roles in muscle contraction and nerve stimulation. To function normally, your body req...
Potassium is an important micronutrient that acts as an electrolyte and is essential for the functioning of nerve and muscles cells. Low potassium levels in the blood reflect a condition known as hypokalemia. Your blood potassi...
As a supplement, it has received much attention for its potential anti-aging properties. It is also used to improve thinking skills in older people and in slowing the progress of Alzheimer's disease.
If you've heard the word "ferritin" it was probably in association with a blood test that you may have had. Clinicians will often check serum ferritin levels when iron-deficiency anemia is suspected. Low ferritin is an early in...
Colitis is a generic term referring to inflammation in the delicate lining of this structure, which interferes with its ability to absorb water from your intestinal contents and allows leakage of important electrolytes, such as...
It plays a role in a number of functions in your body, including heart function, and maintaining proper fluid balance and nerve transmission. Evidence indicates that having low potassium levels, also called hypokalemia, might i...
Potassium is an important mineral in your body, so your body must maintain it in sufficient levels for good health. Although low levels of potassium can certainly cause a rapid pulse, it is important to consult a physician, bec...
A lack of potassium does not generally cause vomiting, but vomiting can cause you to lose potassium from your body, resulting in a condition known as hypokalemia. If you are concerned about your potassium levels, your doctor c...
Most commonly, it is known for its function as an electrolyte by helping maintain fluid balance in your body. Having adequate potassium in your blood is essential for everyday functions. If your doctor draws your blood and dete...
Potassium is a nutrient that plays a role in healthy blood pressure levels as well as aiding in muscle and bone contraction and digestion. Being low in potassium is called hypokalemia and typically requires a supplement and die...
Your body depends on potassium to maintain the health of all cells, tissues and organs. However, according to the 2005-06 National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey, most Americans do not consume the recommended daily amo...
One folk cure for leg or foot cramps is to eat a banana. This is because bananas are high in potassium, and according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one symptom of low potassium levels is muscle cramps. Athlete...
Your body makes creatine from amino acids in the liver, kidney and pancreas. You also get creatine from food. Sometimes what the body makes and stores is not enough, resulting in low creatine levels in your tissues. Low creatin...
A low potassium level, or hypokalemia, is a condition defined as a lower-than-normal level of potassium in the bloodstream. As dietary potassium abounds in many food sources, low levels are typically caused by disease rather th...
Low potassium syndrome, or hypokalemia, is defined as a lower-than-normal level of potassium in the blood. Low potassium generally does not result from dietary deficiencies, but rather illnesses that cause excess nutrient elimi...
Potassium supports many functions in the body. If your potassium levels get too high or too low, health problems can occur. A low potassium level can alter your heart rate. If you suspect a low potassium level, your physician c...
Creatine is an amino acid that is made in your liver, pancreas and kidneys. It also is derived from dietary sources such as fish and meat. Athletes often take creatine supplements in hopes of increasing their lean muscle mass a...
Swelling may also occur in your ankles, face and hands. This symptom has a variety of causes and methods of treatment. While low levels of potassium may increase your risk of certain conditions, this type of nutritional deficie...
The leading cause of heart attacks is coronary heart disease, in which fatty deposits called plaques block the arteries that supply your heart with blood and oxygen. A small percentage of people who suffer a heart attack have a...
In its most vital role, potassium works with sodium to regulate the body's water balance. It also helps maintain nerve function, muscle control and blood pressure. Low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, is uncommon and easily tr...
Potassium is a nutrient that helps support your heart and muscles. Too much can be dangerous, and if your levels are elevated, your doctor may recommend a low-potassium meal plan. Having too much potassium in your blood can pro...
Water pills also are available for purchase over-the-counter to relieve bloating. While diuretics help to stimulate the release of water, they also may have an unintended consequence: the release of potassium from your body.
Your body needs potassium in order to sustain healthy function of your heart, nerves and muscle cells. When levels get too low, you may begin to experience certain symptoms that require immediate attention. If you have low pota...
Potassium is an essential mineral necessary for optimal health. This mineral may decrease your risk of stroke and may help prevent osteoporosis, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. It may also h...
Potassium circulates through your blood, maintaining the normal functioning of your heart and muscle cells. Normal blood potassium levels are between 3.6 and 4.8 mEq/L. If your levels dip below 2.5 mEq/L, you may begin to exper...
These electrically charged ions play a role in critical life processes. The balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride changes as fluid levels in the body change. A headache can be a sign that the fluid bala...
Adequate levels of blood potassium are needed for maintaining proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nerves. The kidneys play a major role in the regulation of blood potassium. They are responsible for the excretion of di...
It helps to keep the right acid-base balance in the body, plays a role in the digestion of proteins and carbohydrates, it must be present for the heart to maintain a regular rhythm and it supports muscle growth. Too low of a le...
If you don't get enough of this mineral, you can develop a low-potassium disorder called hypokalemia. While hypokalemia can trigger the onset of a variety of serious symptoms, it does not cause seizures.
Your body requires a specific pH level to function properly, and any deviations can cause a health crisis because of how body systems become impaired. When acidity levels are low that means your body is too alkaline, a conditio...
If you have low blood potassium, which is called hypokalemia, you need to make sure your diet includes vegetables and other foods that are rich in potassium. Without adequate potassium in your diet, your body will not be able t...
Urinary tract infections -- or UTIs -- can be a painful experience. When caught early, however, UTIs are easily treated with antibiotics and are rarely life-threatening. Low levels of potassium, on the other hand, can be assoc...
Important tissues such as your heart and major skeletal muscles rely heavily on proper carnitine function for their energy. Therefore, a low carnitine level can have serious consequences, such as heart arrhythmia and muscle deg...
Maintaining high potassium levels helps mitigate against stress, while stress can contribute to reducing blood potassium levels. Eating bananas and other foods high in potassium is a natural way to help your body fight stress.
Your adrenal glands are small but mighty organs that sit atop your kidneys. They produce hormones your body needs to function properly, including dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, which is needed to produce male and female sex h...
In a healthy individual, this blood potassium level ranges from 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. If the amount of potassium in your blood exceeds 4.8 mEq/L, it can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm, called bradycardia.
In a healthy woman, blood potassium ranges between 3.6 and 4.8 mEq/L. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, occurs when the amount of potassium in a woman's blood falls below this healthy range. Because potassium controls nerve impuls...
It is important to consult with a physician for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. Problems such as low blood potassium and hypertension, or high blood pressure, if they have a single underlying cause, may be fro...
The attack results in several physical reactions that can make you feel like you are having a heart attack or dying. Low potassium levels can result in many of the same symptoms experienced during an attack, so be sure to ask y...
A diet providing fewer than 40 mEq of potassium per day is defined as a low potassium diet. This diet is typically prescribed to because of renal problems, but may also be necessary if you are taking certain medications, such a...
Potassium is commonly found in most fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish, especially potatoes, bananas, soybeans, and shellfish. Either a very low calorie diet, or VLCD for short, or an unbalanced diet consisting of processed fo...
The medical term for low potassium is hypokalemia. The condition causes several health complications, as potassium is an essential mineral that the body uses for nerve and muscle cell functionality. Potassium is water soluble, ...
The kidneys decide how much potassium to excrete and how much to keep. When the kidneys excrete too much potassium or the intestine does not absorb enough potassium, a condition called hypokalemia -- the medical term for low po...
Your kidneys keep serum potassium levels within a very narrow range and prevent them from getting too high or too low. The kidneys of patients with chronic kidney disease are less able to perform this function so their potassiu...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one of every three adults in the United States suffers from hypertension, a disturbing statistic since hypertension increases your risk for heart disease. Low potassiu...
Some of the iron you absorb but don't use immediately is stored in a protein called ferritin. Testing your blood ferritin levels is one of the more accurate methods to determine whether you have low iron stores or might be anem...
Your body contains approximately 24 g of the mineral magnesium. A low magnesium level, or hypomagnesemia, indicates inadequate dietary intake or poor retention of the mineral within your body. Your kidneys and intestines normal...
Litchford reports that albumin accounts for around 60 percent of protein found in blood plasma, or the liquid part of blood. Unless you are in the medical profession, you may have never heard of albumin, thus being told by your...
It can range from mild to severe. Shin pain is sometimes referred to as shin splints, but shin splints are caused by overuse or repetitive use of the shin. Low potassium can also cause shin pain and muscle pain in general.
Creatine is one of the essential amino acids found in meat and fish but also produced by your liver, kidneys and pancreas. Your body converts creatine into phosphocreatine, a substance that gets stored in the muscle cells and s...
One early warning symptom of low potassium levels may be muscle twitches, tingling or cramps. Low potassium levels affect many organ systems and can be a threat to your health and should be checked by a health care practitioner.
Potassium is a mineral that exists as an electrolyte in the body. This means that it is electrically charged. Many organs in the body are involved in regulating the level of potassium. This level is important to the function of...
Potassium is a very important mineral for the body. All cells use it. Low potassium, known as hypokalemia, may go unnoticed, and if symptoms do develop, they tend to be from improper functioning of nerve and muscle cells, inclu...
Potassium deficiency -- also known as hypokalemia -- is very rare in the industrialized world because potassium is plentiful in easily obtained foods. Found in everything from soda pop to steak and drinking water, you'd be hard...
Potassium is important for such functions as conducting electrical signals within the body, helping your muscles contract and contributing to a healthy digestion. Foods that are rich in potassium include tomatoes, salmon and ba...
A normal level ranges from 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L, according to MayoClinic.com. Hypokalemia, or low potassium, often occurs as a result of disease. Occasionally, however, a seemingly healthy individual finds she has low potassium. T...
You receive potassium from your diet. Apricots, figs and raisins are potassium rich Low potassium, or hypokalemia, occurs when your blood levels of potassium are lower than normal.
Heart arrhythmias range in severity from mild to serious. If you have certain risk factors, such as history of heart disease or electrolyte imbalances, it may indicate the problem is serious and requires medical attention. A po...
The Mayo Clinic states that if you have blood potassium levels of less than 3.6 mEq/L, they fall in the low category, which is also known as hypokalemia. Low potassium levels are most likely temporary, as in the event of excess...
Unlike some biochemical compounds, your body cannot synthesize potassium; you must obtain it through your diet. If you think your potassium is low, do not take high-dosage potassium supplements without your doctor's supervision...
If you exercise to lose weight, you will need to work out longer or more frequently to burn enough calories with low-level exercises.
If you don't have enough potassium in your body, also known as hypokalemia, it can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle pain. Although pain from low potassium often isn't severe, if the low potassium levels are left un...
Nephrologists often advise patients with advanced kidney disease to go on low-potassium or low-phosphorus diets. In healthy people, the kidneys regulate levels of these minerals and keep them within a narrow range. If you suffe...
Your heart is a powerful muscle that sends blood, oxygen and nutrients to almost all parts of your body. In order to pump properly, your cardiac muscles require a delicate balance of electrolytes. Potassium, sodium and calcium ...
These laboratory orders include tests for serum potassium and serum phosphorus. As kidneys fail, they are less able to regulate levels of these minerals in your blood. Levels often become elevated as patients approach end-stag...
Potassium is a mineral that is important for your body because it functions as an electrolyte. Low levels of potassium in your blood, also known as hypokalemia, can affect your muscle and heart cells. Sometimes hypokalemia is a...
As an electrolyte, potassium conducts electricity in your body and is crucial to heart function as well as skeletal and smooth muscle contractions, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Potassium assists normal dig...
Electrolytes work together and with bodily fluids to maintain water balance, maintain the body's optimal pH level, deliver nutrients to your tissues and remove wastes from your cells. The major electrolytes in the body include ...
It's so common that outside of anorexics and starving people, deficiencies are almost non-existent in the industrialized world. However, for some kidney patients, it's possible to get too much of a good thing. A low-potassium d...
Dopamine is a type of chemical known as a neurotransmitter, meaning it acts as a chemical messenger between parts of the brain. In recent years, researchers have investigated the role of dopamine in migraine headaches. Despite ...
Low levels of potassium in your blood can cause weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, an irregular heartbeat and constipation. Potassium may be depleted by some diuretic medications, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and the effects ...
You need a certain amount of potassium in your blood for these functions to work properly. A normal potassium range is 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. If your doctor diagnoses you with low potassium, or hypokalemia, you can expect several sy...
Hematocrit is part of a complete blood count, which also includes hemoglobin, white blood cell count and platelet count. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to all the tissues in your body. When your hematocrit ...
The right balance of electrolytes in the body is vital to maintaining proper body function. Electrolyte imbalances occur when the amount of water in your body changes. A common cause of low potassium, medically referred to as h...
The right balance of potassium in the blood is important to ensure proper nerve and muscle function. Too much potassium in the blood can cause irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness and even death. If you have a condition that ca...
Your kidneys maintain proper potassium levels in your body. Kidney impairment is a common reason your doctor may recommend adhering to a low-potassium diet. If your kidneys are impaired, potassium levels can rise in the body. H...
The muscles, nerves and cells in the body need a certain level of potassium to function normally. When levels are too high or low, you are at risk for several health problems. Normal levels of potassium are 3.6 to 4.8 milliequi...
As a conductor of electrical signals, it aids in muscle contraction and helps regulate the function of the skeletal muscles and the smooth muscles lining internal organs, along with the cardiac muscle in the heart. Potassium pe...
Normal potassium levels in the body vary between 3.6 and 4.8 meq/L, according to MayoClinic.com. A blood test can determine if potassium levels drop below normal, a condition also referred to as hypokalemia. Treatment to correc...
Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables, including acorn squash, apricots, bananas, citrus fruits, lima beans, pineapples, potatoes, prunes, raisins, spinach and tomatoes, can help you meet your potassium needs. Your body ...
It works as an electrolyte, carrying an electrical charge that is necessary for proper heart function. Potassium also plays an important role in skeletal and smooth muscle function for proper bowel and muscle function. Low leve...
Your body requires potassium in adequate levels to prevent health difficulties, as it does with all essential nutrients. Low potassium results in a condition called hypokalemia, a metabolic disorder that can be life-threatening...
According to the American Heart Association, the recommended daily intake of potassium for an average adult is about 4,700 mg. If you feel that you are suffering from low potassium levels, check with your doctor and have it tes...
Hypokalemia refers to a drop in your potassium, an essential mineral needed by your body. A normal potassium level for an adult is 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. A low potassium level is considered 2.5 mEq/L or less, which requires immediat...
Healthy people eating a balanced diet should have a steady amount of protein in their blood throughout their lives. Low levels of protein in the blood are usually caused by chronic or long-term health problems such as hepatitis...
Potassium is found abundantly throughout your body. In fact, it is one of the most common minerals in your body. Potassium helps with just about every bodily function. An imbalance of potassium can cause many different side ef...
Hypochlorhydria is the medical term used to describe an abnormally low level of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This condition can be the result of a variety of diseases. It can be caused by an autoimmune disease that attacks...
When kidneys fail, they can no longer perform this function, and the potassium can become toxic to your body. Most food contains potassium; therefore, it is important that people undergoing dialysis limit dietary potassium with...
If you have a low potassium level, a condition known as hypokalemia, you have an increased risk for serious health conditions, such as irregularities in your heart rate. Certain symptoms may accompany low potassium levels, and ...
Most Americans do not consume the recommended 4.7 g of potassium daily, which can lead to an abnormally low level in your blood and tissues. Potentially serious health problems can develop if you have a low potassium level, als...
Potassium is important for healthy digestion, muscle and skeletal health and for a healthy heart. Potassium may help to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of stroke. Low levels of potassium in the blood causes hypokalem...
Your body uses potassium to help keep much of your system, including muscles, nerves and heart, functioning properly. Excessively low levels of potassium in your body can be inconvenient and uncomfortable at best and actually d...
When released from food in your small bowel, potassium dissolves in the watery fluids of your body and has a positive electrical charge. This electrical charge gives potassium its metabolic power. A low potassium level can disr...
Low potassium, or hypokalemia, is a lower-than-normal amount of potassium in the blood. The normal levels of potassium in the blood range from 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/mL. A person with hypokalemia might experience symptoms such as abnor...
Potassium is an important mineral for the body because it is electrically charged, making it an electrolyte. You need to get potassium from your diet, which you can do by eating foods such as bananas, melons, mangoes, papaya an...
It is also an electrolyte, responsible for maintaining proper fluid balance. For adults age 19 or older, 4.7 g per day are recommended. MayoClinic.com reports that potassium blood levels in the healthy range are between 3.7 and...
The majority of the potassium in the body is within the cells, so the levels of potassium in the bloodstream are low compared to the concentration of other electrolytes, for example sodium. As such, small changes in the level ...
Your potassium level is affected by improperly functioning kidneys. The kidneys remove potassium from the body through urine, and foods you eat replace potassium. You normally need 4,700 mg of potassium for health, but your die...
Potassium is an electrolyte your body needs to keep your cells, nerves and muscles functioning normally. If your blood potassium levels dip below 2.5 milliequivalents per liter or mEq/L, your doctor may diagnose you with hypoka...
Potassium is an electrolyte, which means that it has a positive electrical charge. This charge of potassium allows it to work with other electrolytes to control muscle contraction and maintain acid-base balance. Approximately 9...
Potassium is a major mineral that is a necessary part of your diet. According to the Institute of Medicine, the average American adult should consume 4,700 mg of potassium each day. Your intake of potassium may need to be incre...
It plays a key role in good heart health and is important for normal digestive and muscular function and bone strength. An abnormally low potassium level is referred to as hypokalemia, which can lead to serious medical problems...
Low potassium, or hypokalemia, occurs when your blood potassium levels sink below normal. Potassium is a vital mineral that is needed for the healthy function of nerves and muscles, and without it your heart can't work properly...
Many foods contain potassium, but some people do not consume enough of these foods or they have conditions that interfere with potassium absorption, which can lead to low potassium levels. Low potassium levels can be dangerous ...
Your body requires potassium to function properly. Found in a number of foods -- such as potatoes or oranges -- or in dietary supplements, potassium consumption supports proper tissue functioning. If you consume a nutrient-spar...
Potassium is an essential mineral that can be found in many foods, including bananas, avocados, lima beans, potatoes, flounder, chicken, salmon, cod and other meats. If your potassium levels get too low, you can develop a condi...
Some common electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium and calcium, play important roles in nerve conduction, muscle contraction and heart rhythm. Electrolyte levels are also important in maintenance of the body's fluid balance. S...
Potassium helps control functions of the nervous system and plays a role in transporting nutrients into cells and waste out of cells. In addition, normal levels of potassium are essential for proper heart functions. Low potassi...
A normal potassium level is between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequilvalents per liter, and anything less than 2.5 mEq/L is considered dangerous and possibly life-threatening, according to MayoClinic.com. Knowing the symptoms of low potas...
Hypokalemia or a low potassium level is defined as having a blood potassium level below normal. Normal blood potassium levels fall between 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hypokalemia can be caused by medications ...
Salt is an additive in almost all processed foods, and can be a source of craving for certain foods. There are several salt substitute products on the market but most contain potassium chloride. Finding a low-potassium salt sub...
Its predominant function is to regulate the electrical energy in the body, along with sodium and other electrolytes. Potassium concentrations are higher inside the cell than outside the cell, and the opposite is true of sodium....
Potassium deficiency is called hypokalemia. Deficiencies due to diet are relatively rare because this mineral is found in most foods, so when deficiencies occur they are more likely to be attributable to drugs, such as diureti...
Potassium is also involved in the acid-base balance of the blood. Low potassium makes the blood more basic. Low blood potassium can be persistent when factors that slow potassium loss are absent or diminished. Low magnesium and...
Potassium is an electrolyte and mineral essential for health and wellness. It needs to be consumed daily in a balanced diet. Low potassium levels lead to a condition called hypokalemia and can be life-threatening. There are man...
Low potassium treatment depends on the potassium deficiency. Normal blood potassium levels are 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), according to MayoClinic.com. Severely low levels can be life-threatening, requiring h...
Most of the potassium in your body is located inside of your cells. The remaining potassium circulates throughout your bloodstream. Normally, your blood contains 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents of potassium per liter of blood. If t...
Potassium is a mineral that is essential for your health. Potassium is an electrolyte -- a mineral that carries an electric charge through your body -- that is necessary for your nerves to respond to stimulation and for the con...
Low carbon dioxide levels in your blood can lead to respiratory alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis occurs with excess bicarbonate in your blood. Hypochloremic and hypokalemic alkalosis occurs with extreme lack of chloride and potas...
With an ileostomy, your digestive wastes pass directly from your small intestine through an opening in your abdomen. When you have diarrhea with an ileostomy, you can lose potassium, a mineral that's vital for healthy physical ...
Potassium is an essential mineral, necessary for a healthy functioning body. Current recommendations for potassium are to consume 3,500 mg per day. Low potassium is known as hypokalemia. For most, a healthy, well-balanced diet...
The amount of potassium in your blood is tightly regulated by your body's physiological processes. The regular use of diuretics, also called water pills, can disrupt these physiological processes and cause a significant decreas...
High cholesterol can affect the health of your heart and lead to high blood pressure. Potassium, on the other hand, is known to enhance heart function and has been linked to improvements in blood pressure and other effects of h...
Many foods contain potassium, and most people ingest enough potassium through diet. The most frequent causes of low potassium levels are health conditions that alter potassium levels in the blood. However, some people's dietary...
This condition can be due to a loss of potassium from vomiting, use of certain diuretics, metabolism abnormalities, or kidney disease. Symptoms include muscle cramping and weakness, fatigue and intestinal discomfort such as con...
High blood pressure, defined by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as a consistent systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or more, occurs in response to many dietary factors, includ...
Potassium is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of your nerves, muscles and heart. MayoClinic.com reports that low potassium levels can be life-threatening and symptoms include muscle cramps, constipation, w...
The heart, being a muscle, often responds to changes in potassium levels by developing irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia. Normally, potassium levels in the blood range from 3.5 to 5.0 mill-Equivalents per Liter. Symptoms from l...
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral found in the body and is required to keep the body in good health, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Potassium and magnesium are typicall...
Potassium is important for the function of many different cells, and if you do not eat enough potassium or your potassium levels become depleted due to kidney disease or other health problems, the health of your heart may suffer.
One important electrolyte is potassium, which is critical for the function of many tissues in the body. In some cases, unusually low levels of potassium in the blood, also known as hypokalemia, may be coupled with another condi...
The body needs proper nutrition for the heart muscle to function correctly. A diet high in fat, salt and cholesterol can contribute to heart disease, which can cause cardiac arrest. A diet low in essential vitamins and minerals...
Hypokalemia is a medical condition characterized by unusually low potassium levels and occurs most commonly in people who overuse diuretics or have kidney disease or an eating disorder. Low potassium levels arise when your bloo...
Magnesium controls the body's supply of potassium; when levels of magnesium drop, potassium leaves the cells and is eliminated by the kidneys. This is the mechanism by which severe magnesium deficiency can lead to low potassium...
Low potassium syndrome, or hypokalemia, is a medical condition that occurs when the amount of potassium in your blood falls below 3.5 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L. Without proper levels of potassium in your blood, your...
Potassium is an essential mineral in the human body. When blood levels of this mineral run low, potassium chloride supplements or certain foods high in potassium are taken to build these levels to normal values. Potassium chlor...
Potassium is found in meats, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. When potassium levels fluctuate, serious health problems may result. A low potassium level, called hypokalemia, occurs with extended illnesses, diuretic therap...
Potassium is an essential mineral present in large concentrations inside every cell in the body. In the brain, potassium builds the electrical potential inside brain cells required for electrical signaling between cells. Deplet...
Preserving your heart's health involves making healthy lifestyle decisions such as participating in routine physical exercise and eating a heart-healthy diet that ensures adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. Minerals, such...
Low potassium, medically termed hypokalemia, occurs when potassium levels in the blood are low. Since potassium is an essential nutrient that aids the nerves, muscle cells and heart, a low potassium level can cause severe compl...
Low dietary intakes of potassium do not cause low blood potassium, also known as hypokalemia. However, certain drugs and conditions, some of which are associated with pregnancy, can cause low potassium levels. Symptoms include ...
Potassium is critical for the normal functioning of muscles and nerves. Low levels of potassium are often the result of increased loss of the electrolyte through the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys. Low blood potassium, also ...
The body uses this electrical charge to help cells function properly. Because electrolytes, such as potassium, are so important, your body carefully regulates how much is in your blood. In some cases, however, your potassium le...
It works as a filter for toxins, keeps the blood glucose at a normal level, produces bile for digestion, stores nutrients and manufactures some blood proteins. Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute explains that pot...
Potassium is a mineral required by your body for the proper function of all organs, tissues and cells, and it is an electrolyte necessary for the heart to beat properly. In addition, potassium plays a vital role in muscular and...
Potassium and heart health are inextricably linked because potassium is important for every cell in the body. With sodium, potassium is part of an electrochemical mechanism that is important for nerve impulse transmission, musc...
It helps maintain the correct balance of water in the body, aids enzymes to function properly and supports nerve function and muscle contraction. Having too low of a level of potassium in the body, or hypokalemia, is a serious ...
It also works with sodium to balance the amount of water between the cells and body fluids. A low blood potassium level, or hypokalemia, contributes to a variety of health problems and affects normal body functions.
Electrolytes are chemicals that are electrically charged in the blood. In order for the body to function properly, these different electrolytes must be kept within a fairly narrow range of concentrations. If electrolytes become...
Department of Agriculture. Losing bodily fluids through excessive urination, sweating, vomiting or diarrhea may cause your potassium level to drop, a condition called hypokalemia, says MayoClinic.com. Remedies for low potassium...
Potassium is an element that functions as an electrolyte, or a substance that conducts electricity in the body. As an electrolyte, potassium aids in regulation of fluid balance in the body, muscle contraction, nerve function an...
It is essential for cell growth and multiplication of cells. Inadequate concentrations of vitamin B12 indirectly decrease the concentration of folic acid, causing its functional deficiency. Low levels of B12 can cause anemia an...
