POTASSIUM

To Prevent Acidosis

Potassium, one of the most important minerals, is essential for the very life of every cell. It is also among the most generously and widely distributed of all the tissue minerals. Potassium is found principally in the intracellular fluid. A small amount of potassium is in the extracellular fluid is necessary for normal muscular activity.

Potassium is a bluish-white metallic element. It is highly reactive and never found free in nature. It plays an important role as a catalyst in energy production and in the synthesis of glycogen and protein. Liberal use of alcohol, coffee, sugar, and diuretics can lead to depletion of potassium.

Functions in the Body

Potassium is important as an alkalising agent. It maintains a proper acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues. It prevents hyperacidity. This mineral is essential for muscle contraction and is, therefore, important for the proper functioning of the heart, especially for maintaining a normal heartbeat. It promotes the secretion of hormones and helps the kidneys in detoxification of blood. Potassium prevents female hormonal disorders by stimulating the hormone production. It is involved in the proper functioning of nervous system and helps to overcome fatigue. It also assists in reducing blood pressure.

Sources

Potassium is widely distributed in foods. Pulses such as green gram, cow peas, red gram, and black gram; and vegetables like lotus stems and sword beans are rich in potassium. Other good sources are legumes, leafy vegetables, and fruits such as bael, sweet limes, peaches and apricots.

Deficiency Symptoms

Potassium deficiency is most unlikely in healthy individuals because normal food supplies sufficient quantities of this mineral. However potassium deficiency may occur during gastro-intestinal disturbances accompanied by severe vomiting and diarrhoea, diabetic acidosis, potassium-losing nephritis, and potassium loss during steroid therapy and that of similar drugs. Both mental and physical stress can also lead to potassium deficiency.

Healing and Therapeutic Properties

Whenever possible, potassium deficiency should be corrected by increased dietary intake or supplementation with potassium salts. Potassium chloride is the salt of choice.

Low Blood Sugar. The use of potassium has been found beneficial in the treatment of low blood sugar – a condition characterised by lassitude, fatigue, apathy, tension, nervousness, weakness, trembling, sweating, and headaches.

Muscle Abnormalities. Potassium is valuable for muscle abnormalities. In a study, healthy volunteers who were given refined foods deficient in potassium, for a week, developed muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, constipation, and mental apathy.

Sciatica. Increasing potassium intake can often help to alleviate discomfort from leg cramps and sciatica. This is due to the role of potassium in the nerve function. 

Precautions :

The toxic effect of potassium is manifested in the muscles and the heart. Muscular weakness and mental apathy are generally marked. High concentration of potassium in the blood is found only in association with other severe diseases such as renal failure and adrenal insufficiency. In these conditions the potassium can leak out into the blood from damaged cells.