Potassium: What You Need To Know

How many times throughout the day do you think about your potassium levels? It’s most likely little to none. Let’s change that!

In this article, I will cover:

● What potassium is and how it effects your body

● The importance of keeping track of your daily intake

● People who are more susceptible to deficiencies

● Ways you can include potassium in your diet

What potassium is –

Potassium, also known as the element “K,” is an essential mineral your body uses daily. It’s categorized as an electrolyte. When dissolved in water, it produces positive or negative ions, which create electricity within your cells, muscles, bones, and liver. This process is crucial for different functions in your body.

It’s crucial because there are essential roles potassium takes care of, which include removing waste products from your cells, adding nutrients back to them, regulating your heartbeat, balancing fluids, helping your nerve function and muscle contractions.

Keeping track of your potassium intake -

Routinely keeping track of your potassium intake could benefit you in many ways. It could prevent you from having minor to severe issues. Having a regulated amount can reduce your chances of water retention, a kidney stone, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and a stroke.

Individuals prone to potassium deficiencies follow these categories; having a physically demanding job, athletes who sweat excessively, using certain types of medication such as diuretics, and having chronic health conditions.

Food sources that involve potassium -

According to the National Institutes of Health, the average American above age twenty consumes 2,700mg of potassium a day. The recommended daily dose is 4,700mg. There are many ways you can involve potassium in your diet. The most beneficial way is to receive it from plants and animals. Some examples of food you could incorporate into your diet are bananas, apples, squash, broccoli, lettuce, eggs, salmon, tea, and flaxseeds. If you look at the NIHs website, it will show you other food sources you can eat to increase your potassium levels.

Another way you could incorporate potassium in your diet is by taking them as supplements. I wouldn’t recommend this as your first option, and I would consult with a doctor before trying this, but if you’re having health issues due to low potassium levels, this could be beneficial. You can buy potassium in powder and pill forms at your nearest convenience store.

There are different types of potassium you can take, such as raw potassium powder (pure), citrate potassium (used for kidney stone issues), and gluconate potassium (used for deficiencies). Be aware that risks can play a factor in taking potassium supplements. As stated before, consult a doctor if you want to take potassium as a supplement or if you have concerns about potassium deficiencies.

To conclude, potassium is an essential mineral that helps your body function properly, and it’s necessary to incorporate it into your daily routine. Make sure to choose the best option for yourself and consult with a doctor. I hope this will give you a new understanding of the importance of potassium!

*Disclaimer: I am not in the medical field; I cannot give out medical advice professionally. This article is my own research that I am sharing.*

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Office of dietary supplements — potassium. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. From https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/