Potassium
Potassium is another essential macro-mineral required by the body’s tissues. It is also an electrolyte since it contains an electric charge.Its major role in the body is to maintain fluid balance inside our cells.
Functions Of Potassium
- For muscle contraction-Potassium helps the muscles to contract.
- Nerve function -Potassium is involved in the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and other parts of the body.
- Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance-It maintains normal fluids levels within the cells.
Food Sources
- Whole grains
- Beans and nuts
- Fruits such as oranges, bananas, kiwi fruits, apricots and pineapples
- Vegetables such as dark green leafy vegetables e.g broccoli, carrots, and potatoes
- Lean meats
People At Risk Of Potassium Deficiency
- People with certain conditions-People with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Chrons are predisposed to potassium deficiency due to diarrhoea and malabsorption of nutrients.People with kidney conditions are also likely to be deficient in potassium since they cannot excrete the excess potassium from the body.
Potassium Deficiency
Hypokalemia is a condition where there are low potassium levels in the blood. A potassium deficiency resulting from dietary intake is improbable since there is an extensive variety of potassium-rich food sources.
Although, insufficient dietary intake in combination with diuretic use, laxative overuse, heavy sweating, chronic nausea, and vomiting can cause hypokalemia. This is because potassium is lost through any form of excretion, whether through sweating, urination, or stools.
Additionally, the regular consumption of processed foods can impose a subtle yet significant potassium deficiency which can lead to potassium depletion in the body.
Potassium deficiency is characterized by:
- Tiredness
- Constipation
- Muscle weakness
- With severe potassium deficiency: Muscle paralysis and irregular heart rate can occur
Increased potassium content is stipulated to preserve body potassium stores among:
- Patients who experience an increase in gastrointestinal and urinary potassium losses as a result of certain conditions such as dehydration, oedema resulting from certain hepatic or cardiac disorders, and the diuretic stage of nephritis.
- Persons who have continually utilized diuretics that interfere with potassium levels, alongside a limited potassium intake.
For such cases, a potassium-supplemented diet may be recommended for persons with mild potassium deficiency who cannot tolerate potassium supplements. An additional pharmaceutical potassium supplement may be prescribed for individuals with severe deficiency.
Potassium Toxicity
Hyperkalemia is a condition where there is excess potassium levels in the blood.The kidneys usually excrete any excess potassium through urine.Nevertheless, several situations, not necessarily related to dietary intake, can trigger hyperkalemia including ingesting certain medicines such as NSAIDs, renal conditions, consuming a high-potassium diet or using potassium supplements(exceeding 4,700 milligrams in a day).
Symptoms of hyperkalemia:
· Weakness
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Shortness of breath
· Irregular heart rate
· Chest pain
A diet that limits potassium intake is usually recommended for persons with hyperkalemia.
Nutrient Interactions With Potassium
- Magnesium- Magnesium deficiency can enhance the risk of potassium deficiency because the kidneys require magnesium for the re-absorption of potassium in cells.
- Sodium– It works by maintaining normal fluid levels out of the cells. Therefore, sodium and potassium work as counterparts in that sodium maintains fluid levels out of the cells while potassium maintains the fluid levels in the cells. While high amounts of sodium increase blood pressure, adding some potassium can help lower blood pressure.
Drug Interactions With Potassium
Medications that likely reduce your potassium levels in the body include:
- Diuretics such as Bumetanide and Furosemide-They reduce potassium levels in the body.
- Laxatives such as lactulose –When ingested in high doses,they contribute to a decrease in potassium levels.
- Insulin can cause hypokalemia.
- Aminoglycosides (Antibiotics such as gentamicin and tobramycin) – These medications can decrease potassium levels by allowing more of it to be excreted through the urine.
- Amphotericin B (Ambisome) (An anti-fungal) – Can lead to the decrease of potassium levels.
- Short- and long-acting beta agonists e.g albuterol- They decrease potassium by transporting it in cells.
Medications that can increase potassium levels in your blood include:
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) (used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation or heart failure) -If you ingest large doses of digoxin, potassium levels can increase in your blood.
- Trimethoprim (An antibiotic used in treating various infections including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Large doses can trigger a spike in potassium levels in the blood especially if one has kidney conditions.
- ACE (for treating conditions like hypertension and heart failure) e.g.lisinopril and enalapril-They can increase potassium levels by obstructing the release of aldoesterone(a hormone that facilitates potassium excretion from the body, through the urine).
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers-They can elevate your potassium levels by inhibiting the release of aldosterone.
RDA
- 3500 milligrams for adults.