Potassium Depletion

General Characteristics

Potassium is a naturally occurring mineral found in every human body and in a wide variety of foods. It is one of the essential substances needed to maintain the body's internal balance of fluids and chemicals. A constant internal environment, in which the various chemicals and fluids are in a state of balance, is necessary if the cells are to carry on their vital functions. Any marked change in the concentration and content of water and chemicals within the body leads to drastic changes that modify our ability to function normally.

The Role of Potassium

Potassium, like sodium, is necessary to human life. The human body requires about equal amounts of both sodium and potassium. The typical American diet, however, provides much more sodium than needed and about the right amount of potassium, which is found in fruits, vegetables, some meats, dairy products and a variety of other foods. In addition, the increasingly popular salt substitutes usually contain potassium as a sodium substitute.

Because potassium is found in sufficient amounts in the average diet, a true dietary deficiency of potassium is very rare. However, hypokalemia, a deficiency of potassium in the blood, may occur under a number of specific circumstances that are unrelated to diet. Certain drugs, especially some of the diuretics used to treat high blood pressure, frequently lead to potassium reduction.

Signs of potassium deficiency include lethargy, muscular weakness, increased nervous irritability, a feeling of mental disorientation and irregular heartbeats. To prevent serious problems, potassium supplements may be recommended, especially if the deficiency is likely to continue, as might be the case in patients taking certain types of diuretics for high blood pressure.

Importance of Balance

Just as too little potassium can have serious consequences, excessive blood levels of potassium also can lead to complications. If the kidneys and circulatory system are functioning properly, it is virtually impossible to produce a dangerously high level of potassium in the blood through diet alone. High potassium levels may occur, however, in patients taking prescribed potassium supplements. But if potassium levels are too high, they must be treated to avoid a possible progression to more serious problems. Therefore, it is imperative that the patient follow the physician's dosage recommendations.

Sources of Potassium

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of potassium for adults is in the range of two to six grams per day, depending on body weight. The average American adult consumes 4.5 grams of potassium per day, which is well within these suggested guidelines. The best dietary sources of potassium are bananas, orange juice, raisins and other dried fruits, meats, peanut butter, bran, dried peas and beans and potatoes. Cocoa, coffee and tea also contain significant amounts of potassium.

Treatment of Potassium Depletion

An estimated two million Americans regularly take potassium supplements. Most are patients with high blood pressure, where potassium levels are lowered by their anti-hypertensive medications. In many instances, increased consumption of potassium-rich foods is all that is required. For others, however, additional potassium in the form of prescription supplements are needed. This is a determination that must be made by a physician.

Summing Up

Potassium is an essential mineral that is found in a variety of foods. The average healthy person consumes adequate potassium. However, it should be noted that a number of diseases and other circumstances, including the use of certain drugs, may upset the body's natural balance of fluids and chemicals and can lead to a potassium imbalance. Unless corrected, this imbalance can have serious consequences.

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