A lack of potassium: how to recognize and prevent it
Potassium is an essential mineral, involved in nervous system and muscle function ... Suffice to say that a lack of potassium can quickly become a real risk to health. Here’s how to identify and correct such deficiency.
Potassium deficiency: what are the symptoms?
Potassium deficiency, or hypokalemia, manifests in several ways:
- muscle cramps, pain or weakness;
- fatigue;
- sluggishness and pain in the gut and abdomen.
It’s important to note, however, that hypokalemia is often asymptomatic, though it can still pose a significant risk to health: on the one hand, kidney problems, and on the other, dysfunction of the heart muscle (1). To confirm whether you are definitely deficient in potassium, be sure to seek advice from a health professional.
There are many potential causes of a lack of potassium: certain diseases, but also excessive use of diuretic drugs, alcoholism and severe diarrhea.
What are potassium’s effects on the body?
Potassium participates in several of the body’s vital functions. It plays a role in:
- normal nervous system function. Able to pass through the neuronal membrane, the potassium ion (K+) is involved in regulating nerve impulses transmitted along neurons ;
- good muscle function. The strength of a muscle contraction relies on potassium, whether it’s an involuntary contraction (intestinal, vascular, bronchial, cardiac muscles) or a voluntary one (skeletal muscles);
- maintaining normal blood pressure. More specifically, it is thought to have a direct vasodilatory role which may improve blood flow, and promote the elimination of sodium (a vasoconstrictor that can be damaging to cardiovascular health) (2).
Which foods and dietary supplements contain this mineral?
To reduce the risk of any complications associated with potassium deficiency, it’s important to ensure your daily diet provides an adequate intake of this key mineral.
Which foods contain potassium?
There are many foods that can help you meet your daily requirements for potassium:
- green herbs: parsley, basil … ;
- seaweed: but be careful of its high sodium content if you suffer from hypertension;
- spices: saffron, paprika, chilli, cumin… ;
- coffee;
- pulses: haricot or soya beans … ;
- bananas, apricots… (3)
Dietary supplements that contain potassium
Along with eating a varied, balanced diet, certain supplements can help you increase your potassium levels :
- potassium orotate (as in the product Potassium Orotate), recognized as being the easiest form for the body to absorb;
- potassium bicarbonate (as in Potassium Bicarbonate), a classic form of potassium ;
- or indeed a mineral complex, (such as MultiMineral Complex), which as well as potassium, provides many other trace-elements.
References
- Fumeaux, I. K. Z. (2007). Hypokaliémie: diagnostic et prise en charge. Rev Med Suisse, 3(101), 574-6.
- Agostoni, C. V., Bresson, J. L., Fairweather Tait, S., Flynn, A., Golly, I., Korhonen, H., ... & Moseley, B. (2010). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to potassium and maintenance of normal muscular and neurological function (ID 320, 386) and maintenance of normal blood pressure (ID 321) pursuant to Article 13 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
- Table Ciqual. ANSES. Consulté en septembre 2020.
Keywords
2 Days
Great product.
Great product. Very fast delivery.
SILVA SANTOS Alice
3 Days
Ordering from Supersmart was easy to…
Ordering from Supersmart was easy to understand and navigate. The wait time was surprisingly short and exactly what I wanted. Thank you very much.
RAYFORD Linda
3 Days
Superb Product quality
Product quality, availability, excellent packaging and timely shipping!
Mohamad Hussein
5 Days
I’ve been buying from here for years
I’ve been buying from here for years. The products have been great and the customer service very helpful.
CORENEVSKY Albert
17 Days
Great customer service
The address correction app put in the incorrect address and I missed it when I hit the accept option. I noticed it when the order was already in route and called customer service to request that they change it to the correct address as the shipper and they were right on top of it. They called me back right away and changed the address. They sent a new email with the tracking information and called me to let me know it was all taken care of. Really happy with the product and customer service.
B Ball
18 Days
Fast service good products.
Fast service good products.
PERCY
24 Days
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!! FAST SERVICE!
HENDERSON B.
25 Days
EVERYTHING!
EVERYTHING!! NO ISSUES!
DOMINIC
26 Days
The service has been good
The service has been good. However, the telephone and email responses were better before. Most of the products are great. Returns are processed promptly, and I do believe this is an honest and caring company. I plan to continue to buy your products.
DANIEL FORD
29 Days
My order arrived when promised in the…
My order arrived when promised in the condition described
Lisa
38 Days
10/13/24 Dania needs a helper
10/13/24 Y ou were a bit slow to respond, but still helpful.
David Rolston
43 Days
I received wehat I ordered in a tiomely…
I received wehat I ordered in a tiomely fashion. Great job to the whole staff 👏
Monica P
44 Days
Great prouducts
Pomises products that work.Fast shipping. Will recommend to family and friends.
NEW Virginia
45 Days
Excellent product
Excellent product. Timely delivery. Only had one issue over the last few years. Great. Thanks
LEGG Jennifer
48 Days
I trust this company and product as I…
I trust this company and product as I tolerate the bacillus coagulans very well and feel better overall when I am taking it . Thank you for offerring this product as a company . And thank you for an easy ordering process.
Barbara J