Potassium is readily available in many foods, so potassium deficiency is not common in those who eat regular well-balanced meals, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The recommended daily potassium intake for a 2,000-calorie...
Potassium is a mineral naturally found in a wide variety of foods, including many fruits and vegetables. Although potassium is required for good health, too much potassium has the potential result in hyperkalemia, especially if the kidneys are not...
Sufficient amounts of potassium in the diet can significantly lower blood pressure, according to studies conducted by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Most Americans, however, aren't getting enough potassium, and the potassium they do...
Potassium is a mineral that is essential to keeping your muscles and heart healthy and functioning properly. Potassium and sodium work together to keep your fluids at appropriate levels and to promote normal nerve messaging. A restricted potassium...
Potassium is an important mineral found in fruits, vegetables, seafood, beans and nuts. It plays several roles, but is most commonly known for its function as an electrolyte. While important, excessive potassium in the body causes a condition...
Dietary imbalance can cause you to get too little potassium from the foods you eat, especially if you don't eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that many American diets do...
Potassium foods in the everyday American diet range from meats, fish and healthy vegetables to fast-food selections. Every meal should contain potassium contributions to meet the 3,500mg FDA daily average requirement. If a meal falls short,...
Your body needs potassium in order to perform cell, tissue and organ functions; skeletal and muscle movement; and sodium regulation. Because it is found in a wide range of foods, dietary intake is usually all you need to obtain enough potassium....
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 help prevent excess...
Potassium is a major mineral and an electrolyte, which is a mineral that carries an electrical charge. The potassium in your body ensures that your heart functions correctly and plays a role in the proper contraction of muscles. Potassium also...
If you follow a balanced diet, you most likely get enough potassium. You can find potassium in a range of foods, including meats, fish, vegetables, fruit, legumes and dairy products. Even if you don't get sufficient potassium, the lack is seldom...
Potassium is a mineral found naturally in many foods, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. Your body naturally requires potassium to maintain several functions, including keeping your heart beating and your muscles contracting properly....
Potassium is an essential mineral for the function of all cells, tissues and organs in the body. The richest sources of potassium are fruits and vegetables, as noted by the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) at Oregon State University. To eat a...
Potassium is a mineral found mostly in fruits and vegetables. Some people may have high levels of potassium in their blood. High blood potassium, or hyperkalemia, can cause muscle weakness and an irregular heartbeat, according to the University of...
Hyperkalemia, or high serum potassium, is a condition in which the potassium level of your blood rises to an abnormally high level. Symptoms of the electrolyte imbalance, such as weakness, paralysis and heart arrhythmia, can be dangerous and even...
Potassium is a mineral that helps muscles contract, helps regulate fluid and mineral balance, and helps maintain normal blood pressure. Too much potassium in the bloodstream is known as hyperkalemia. The kidneys normally remove excess potassium...
Potassium is a mineral that plays a vital role in muscle and nerve control. Potassium is necessary for maintaining normal heart rhythm and fluid balance within the body. If the potassium level is high in your blood, your doctor may prescribe a low...
Potassium is an important nutrient in the body, and while having low potassium levels can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening, high potassium levels can also be threatening to your health. In addition, some treatments and conditions are...
Healthy kidneys control the amount of potassium in the body by "deciding" how much to excrete in the urine and how much to send back into the bloodstream. Damaged kidneys do not perform this function properly, so potassium builds up in the blood....
Potassium deficiencies are almost unknown in healthy people. When deficiencies occur, they are found in anorexics or starving people. On the other hand, hyperkalemia, or too much potassium, is an issue for patients with advanced kidney disease....
Potassium is an important nutrient that your body depends on for proper organ, tissue, muscle and cell function. When your kidneys do not work properly, potassium levels become elevated in the body and a condition known as hyperkalemia can take...
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average American eats approximately 3,400 mg of sodium each day. That is more than 1,000 mg above the recommended tolerable upper intake level for an adult. High intake of processed...
According to the American Heart Association, potassium is considered one of the most important minerals for overall health. Potassium, which maintains normal heart and nervous system function, can be found in many healthy foods. Potassium also is...
High blood pressure, dehydration and other health conditions may prompt a need to increase your dietary potassium intake. A good diet rich in potassium, however, must still maintain balance in the remaining essential nutrients. Put together meals...
Potassium is an essential element that helps to keep the body functioning correctly. It plays a role in carbohydrate and protein metabolism, building strong muscles, and maintaining an acid-base balance. It also regulates the electrical activity...
Most people don't consume enough potassium, despite research suggesting its role in disease prevention. Potassium works with sodium to regulate the body's water balance. Without potassium, cells, tissues and organs in the body don't function...
Potassium is an essential mineral that is responsible for the health and maintenance of many body tissues, including your heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system. Potassium is commonly found in most fruits, vegetables, meats, and...
Sodium and potassium are classified as major minerals, as well as electrolytes. Because they are electrolytes, these minerals play an important role in fluid balance. Normally, the amount of sodium and potassium in your body is tightly controlled...
Potassium is an essential nutrient that contributes to normal nerve and muscle function. The Linus Pauling Institute suggests that children under a year old get 400 to 700 mg of potassium daily through diet; children from ages 1 to 14 should take...
Limiting potassium in your diet can help patients with Addison's disease. Learn how to adjust your diet to fit your specific health and nutrition needs in this healthy shopping video.
Potassium is an important metal for keeping your cells alive and can be found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and meats . Try these tips for buying foods rich in potassium in this healthy shopping video.
The DASH diet is a dietary approach to stop hypertension. Learn more about the DASH diet in this health and nutrition video.
Reading the labels of food items is important to properly balance a diet and uncover less obvious ingredients in food products. Try these tips for reading food labels in this healthy shopping video.
Kidney disease is caused by the kidney's shutting down due to damage from diabetes or high blood pressure. Learn about the best diet for kidney disease in this video.