Potassium is crucial to heartbeat regulation, muscle contraction and proper functioning of the nervous system, according to the American Heart Association. Potassium deficiency, or hypokalemia, can cause weakness and muscle cramps, excessive...
A seized calf or hamstring muscle is not only painful, but it can be dangerous if it happens to you while swimming. Muscle cramps are a common condition among both athletes and non-athletes. Muscle cramps are caused by dehydration as well as...
Your body requires potassium to maintain membrane potential in your cells, which helps to produce energy. Without enough potassium in your body, you can experience health effects like muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting or...
Proper potassium levels in the blood and within the cells might mean the difference between life and death. An imbalance of this electrolyte may cause harmful symptoms, including heart arrhythmias. Certain disease processes and drugs can cause an...
Potassium plays a vital role in regulating blood pressure, as well as helping with nerve and muscle function. Potassium and sodium work together in the body to maintain the proper balance of fluid in your cells. Bananas are one dietary source of...
Potassium is a key mineral in your body and is central to muscle, heart and nervous system function. A number of chronic health conditions can cause your blood levels of potassium to drop below the healthy range. Short-term illnesses may also...
Potassium is a mineral that is essential for the functions of your body's cells. It is found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, such as bananas and plums. Potassium is also available in pill form, which can be beneficial when taken to...
The recommended daily dose of potassium for adults is 2,000 mg, according to health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body uses the nutrient to maintain proper muscle and heart function. If your blood potassium...
In most cases, it’s recommended that you obtain your potassium through dietary sources. High dosages of potassium provided through supplementation can be dangerous to your health. The Linus Pauling Institute states that potassium supplements...
Potassium aids various functions of your body, including the heart, kidneys, digestive system, muscles and nerves. You usually can get adequate potassium levels from the foods you eat, but you may need more potassium when taking certain...
Potassium is a mineral used by your body to support numerous cellular functions. According to "Potassium Nutrition: In Heart Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Diabetes, and Metabolic Shock," a healthy adult will typically have approximately 120...
Water pills are usually prescribed as part of a treatment plan for high blood pressure or edema, swelling caused by fluid in your body tissues. Medically referred to as diuretics, water pills are meant to help your body remove excess sodium and...
Potassium citrate powder is used to treat a condition called metabolic acidosis. As explained in the medical reference UpToDate, in metabolic acidosis, the blood becomes more acidic for one of several reasons, one of which is kidney damage. As a...
Water pills that don't deplete potassium are medically referred to as potassium-sparing diuretics. Generally, diuretic medications are used to treat congestive heart failure patients and those with high blood pressure and edema, which is swelling...
Many factors affect your blood pressure. The way your body absorbs and releases water with its electrolytes potassium and sodium represents a regulatory mechanism. Much of this activity takes place in the kidneys, a fluid-filtering system that...
Also known as a diuretic, water pills are designed to stimulate the release of water from your kidneys. Your physician may prescribe them in a number of instances: when you have high blood pressure, kidney disease or a heart condition. Water pills...
Potassium, an essential mineral found in a number of foods, can be dangerous in high doses. Taking potassium supplements can cause serious complications in people who already have, or who are at risk of, developing high potassium levels. Never...
Iodoral is a supplement that contains 5 mg iodine and 7.5 mg sodium iodide from potassium. The pills are a solid version of Lugol, a liquid iodine formula used in the early 20th century to regulate the thyroid gland. According to Optimox...
Polyps, small growths, can develop on your colon and prevent the proper formation of stool. Polyps may cause diarrhea, which can lead to a loss of potassium. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and legumes can increase your potassium levels....
Eating a banana may be a very good idea, especially if a person needs potassium. Potassium, a mineral, is an important electrolyte, necessary for electrical and cellular bodily functions. People ordinarily ingest sufficient potassium in food and...
Your body depends on electrolytes such as potassium for water balance, as well as proper cell, nerve and muscle function. Blood levels must therefore remain in a tight range. Usually, your body can tap into potassium reserves inside your cells to...
Diuretics wash extra fluid out of the body, but they can also wash out essential minerals. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic often used to treat hypertension and also edema, or fluid retention, and congestive heart failure. It is a thiazide...
Heartburn is also known as gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux. Symptoms are felt when acid from your stomach enters your esophagus, due to the esophageal sphincter not closing properly. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information...
Increased potassium, or hyperkalemia, interferes with the electrical currents of the body. The cells of the body rely on the flow of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium into and out of cells in order to function properly. Electrolyte...
Potassium citrate serves as an electrolyte in the body. Potassium helps conduct nerve and muscle messages coming from the brain to the rest of the body. Doctors may recommend potassium citrate for kidney problems such as kidney stones, according...
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 the University of...
Acai Berry Supreme is a dietary supplement made with the extract of the Amazonian acai berry, a fruit that has gotten rave reviews for its antioxidants and vitamins. Unfortunately, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says the berry's...
Water pills, also known as diuretics, can help you lose water weight very quickly. However, these pills are not a method of permanent and effective weight loss. They pose some health risks and are not considered a healthy way to achieve weight loss.
Potassium iodate is a salt similar to table salt that has chemical symbol is KIO3. Doctors use potassium iodate to protect your thyroid gland from taking in too much radioactive iodine prior to exposure to radiation. Potassium iodate also has...
