Potassium is an essential micronutrient required for cellular function. It is highly reactive in water and produces positively charged potassium ions. These ions help conduct electrical impulses throughout the body. This is important for many body processes. 98% of the potassium in the body is found inside the cells.
As per U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 100 g of coffee contains 49 mg of potassium. This makes it a low-potassium food. However, drinking more than three cups of coffee a day is considered high in potassium and could increase the body's potassium levels. Adding creamers or milk can further increase the coffee's potassium content. The same applies to tea.
The appropriate potassium intake required for healthy functioning of the body systems is 4,700 mg per day. A potassium-rich diet reduces the risk of stroke, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of kidney stones, and prevents muscle cramps. Potassium is usually found in many wholes, unprocessed foods such as fresh leafy greens, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans. A decrease in potassium level (hypokalemia) and an increase in potassium level (hyperkalemia) can result in potentially life-threatening health problems.
What are the signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia?
High levels of potassium are seen in people with kidney diseases and certain drug toxicities. These can produce the following signs and symptoms:
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
What are the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
Low potassium levels are often seen in people with hypovolemic shock due to rapid fluid loss in the body. These can produce the following signs and symptoms:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Abdominal distension
- Breathing difficulties
- Mood changes
- Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm), which requires immediate medical attention
What are the functions of potassium in the body?
Potassium plays an important role in the following body functions:
- Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance: The body is made of approximately 60% water, 40% of which is present inside the cells in the intracellular space and hence called the intracellular fluid (ICF). The rest of the fluid is present outside the cells in the extracellular space (for example, the blood) and between the cells. This fluid is also called the extracellular fluid (ECF). The fluid balance between the ICF and ECF is regulated by electrolytes, mainly potassium and sodium. Potassium is the main electrolyte in the ICF and hence regulates the fluid level inside the cells. Sodium is the main electrolyte in the ECF and hence regulates the fluid levels outside the cells. Imbalance in electrolyte levels causes the cells to shrink or swell and burst. Hence, consuming adequate fluids and electrolytes, especially potassium, is essential to maintain organ health.
- Maintains the nervous system: The nervous system relays messages between the brain and body. Potassium ions carry electrical impulses through the nerves to regulate muscle contraction, nerve reflexes, and other body functions. Nerve impulses are generated when the sodium ions enter the cells and the potassium ions exit the cells.
- Regulates muscle contractions including the heart: The process of muscle contraction in the heart and gut muscles requires potassium.
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerWhat are the health benefits of potassium?
Consuming a potassium-rich diet is linked to several health benefits:
- Reduction of blood pressure: This is achieved by eliminating excess sodium (excess sodium increases blood pressure).
- Reduction of the risk of stroke: Potassium reduces the risk of stroke.
- Prevention of osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition where the bone is porous and easily fractures because of low calcium levels. Potassium reduces the elimination of excess calcium from the body.
- Prevention of kidney stones: Potassium helps lower calcium levels in the urine.
- Reduction of fluid retention: Potassium can reduce fluid retention in the body by increasing urine production.
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More Health News »References
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/242008-treatment
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/240903-overview
https://www.cdc.gov/salt/potassium.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/potassium.html
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/240903-overview
https://www.cdc.gov/salt/potassium.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/potassium.html
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ammonium chloride
Ammonium chloride is an acidifying agent administered intravenously to treat metabolic alkalosis and low chloride levels (hypochloremia). Do not take ammonium chloride if you have impaired liver or kidney function. Common side effects of ammonium chloride include metabolic acidosis, ammonia toxicity symptoms, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), EEG abnormalities, involuntary muscle contractions due to electrolyte imbalance (calcium-deficient tetany), seizure, mental confusion, drowsiness, injection site reactions, rash, low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), high blood chloride levels (hyperchloremia), abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
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Why You Need Potassium and How to Get It
Potassium-rich foods like bananas, potatoes, prunes, oranges, tomatoes, lima beans, and sunflower seeds help your nerves, muscles, and bones. Potassium reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Low potassium (hypokalemia) and high potassium (hyperkalemia) can cause issues.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. The balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The functions and normal range values for these electrolytes are important, and if an electrolyte is at an extreme low or high, it can be fatal.
Potassium Foods
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High Potassium (Hyperkalemia)
Hyperkalemia is an abnormally high level of potassium in the blood. Hyperkalemia symptoms include nausea, fatigue, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness. Hyperkalemia may also cause no symptoms. Hyperkalemia treatment may include a low-potassium diet, medications, and intravenous glucose and insulin. Causes of hyperkalemia include kidney dysfunction, certain medications, adrenal gland diseases, and potassium shifts.
Is Tea or Coffee Better for Your Health?
Tea is generally safe, even in large amounts. While coffee is also safe to drink, high amounts can cause some problems.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are solid masses of crystalline material that form in the kidneys. Symptoms and signs of kidney stones can include pain, nausea, vomiting, and even fever and chills. Kidney stones are diagnosed via CT scans and specialized X-rays. Treatment of kidney stones involves drinking lots of fluids and taking over-the-counter pain medications to medical intervention including prescription medications, lithotripsy, and sometimes even surgery.
Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
Low potassium or hypokalemia is a decrease in blood potassium levels, which is caused by colon polyps, vomiting, diarrhea, medications, and laxatives. Foods in the diet are how the body absorbs potassium. Symptoms of low potassium in the blood include palpitations, muscle cramps, and muscle aches. Treatment for low potassium is low potassium through diet IV.
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Potassium bicarbonate is a medication used as supplemental potassium to treat and prevent low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia). Common side effects of potassium bicarbonate include abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas (flatulence), and hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.sodium bicarbonate
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Which Fruits Are High in Potassium?
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