What are the effects of low and high potassium levels in the body?

Potassium is an essential element that we need for the functioning of the body. It works with sodium to maintain the body’s water balance. Increased intake of potassium may increase the amount of sodium excreted from the body and this is a protective effect against high blood pressure. The kidneys regulate the level of potassium in the body.

The functions of potassium in the body include:

• Reduces blood pressure
• Regulates heart function
• Play vital role in kidney function
• Important for normal muscle function
• Important for normal nerve function
• Important for fluid balance
• Necessary to maintain acid / alkali balance
• Needed for protein synthesis
• Required to convert glucose into glycogen

To put it very precise the cell functions need potassium.

Low level of potassium in the body brings many health problems. The symptoms of low potassium level include:

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle aches
• Low blood pressure
• Cramps in the leg and arm muscles
• Irregular heart beats
• Disturbances in heart rhythm
• Abdominal cramping and bloating
• Numbness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Large amount of urination
• Thirst
• Constipation
• Paralysis

Potassium deficiency, hypokalemia is very dangerous for our health and should be treated with foods rich in potassium. Supplements can be used, but the blood level of potassium must be monitored regularly. Here your dietician and doctor recommend you the necessary actions.

On the other hand, the symptoms of high potassium are very vague. Nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness and tingling sensations are the normal vague symptoms. That is why your doctor controls the blood levels of it always. The kidney function must also be monitored regularly.

Hyperkalemia is one of the dangers of high potassium levels and can be life threatening if not treated immediately. The other dangers are irregular heartbeat, slow and weak pulse rate, difficulty in breathing and paralysis. In this case your doctor recommend appropriate treatments to reduce potassium.

The food rich in potassium include fruits, vegetables, milk and meat. If supplements are given the blood level must be monitored regularly. Several medicines can affect the potassium levels in both ways. Your doctor must know all the medicines you take.

What role does calcium und potassium play in blood pressure?

Calcium is important to have normal blood pressure and it also functions as a natural diuretic to mild the effects of much sodium intake.

Calcium supplement gives contradictory results, 80% benefit from the supplementation and in 20% the blood pressure goes marginally up. Dairy products containing low fat and vegetables are also good sources of calcium. Talk to the dietician to know the right food to you.

Potassium can also reduce blood pressure and it is proved that low potassium diet increases blood pressure. The mechanism behind is that too little potassium in the blood lead to sodium retention and high blood pressure.

Fruits, vegetables and fish are rich in potassium.

What role does calcium und potassium play in blood pressure?

Calcium and potassium are very important for the health.

Calcium is important to have normal blood pressure and it also functions as a natural diuretic to mild the effects of much sodium intake. Calcium supplement gives contradictory results, 80% benefit from the supplementation and 20% the blood pressure goes marginally up.

Dairy products containing low fat and vegetables are also good sources of calcium. Talk to the dietician to know exactly about your food.

Potassium can also reduce blood pressure and it is proved that low potassium diet increases blood pressure. The mechanism behind is that too little potassium in the blood lead to sodium retention and high blood pressure.

Fruits, vegetables and fish are rich in potassium.

Pottasium and Health

Potassium is an important element for our health which maintains many body functions. These are:

• Potassium is needed for the red blood cells and helps heart, nerve and muscle functions.
• It prevents kidney-stone formation.
• It helps to provide oxygen to the brain.
• It lowers the blood pressure
• It prevents bone loss.

The following are the recommended daily intake of potassium:

AGE                              DAILY INTAKE [g]

Infants:
0 to 12 months            0.3 - 1

Children:
1 - 3 years                     1 - 2
4 to 6 years                 1 - 2
7 to 9 years                 1 - 2
10 to 12 years              1 - 3

Adolescents:
13 to 14 years             1 - 3
15 to 18 years             3 - 4

Adults:
Above 19 years          3 - 4

Pregnant:                 3 - 4
Breastfeeding:      3 - 4

Foods rich in potassium include:

Potato, banana, salmon, milk, pork, sweet potato, water melon, citrus fruits, nuts, whole grains, tomato and green leafy vegetables are rich in potassium.

The persons with kidney disease or taking medicines for high blood pressure should not increase their potassium consumption and they must consult their doctors if they want to take a supplement where potassium is present. Potassium supplement can be toxic to anybody. Never take potassium supplements without doctor’s permission.