Potassium is a mineral involved in electrical and cellular body functions. In the body, potassium is classified as an electrolyte.

• Function
• Recommended Intakes
• Sources
• Deficiency
• Toxicity

Function

Potassium is a very important mineral to the human body. It has various roles in metabolism and body functions and is essential for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs:

• It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance.
• It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.
• It is necessary for the building of muscle and for normal body growth.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)

Source: Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine, National Academies

^† This column (taken from the DRI reports, see www.nap.edu) presents Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in ordinary type and Adequate Intakes (AIs) in ordinary type followed by an asterisk (*). RDAs and AIs may both be used as goals for individual intake. RDAs are set to meet the needs of almost all (97 to 98 percent) individuals in a group. For healthy breastfed infants, the AI is the mean intake. The AI for other life stage and gender groups is believed to cover needs of all individuals in the group, but lack of data or uncertainty in the data prevent being able to specify with confidence the percentage of individuals covered by this intake.
^†† UL = The maximum level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects. Unless otherwise specified, the UL represents total intake from food, water, and supplements. Due to lack of suitable data, ULs could not be established for arsenic, chromium, silicon, potassium, and sulfate. In the absence of ULs, extra caution may be warranted in consuming levels above recommended intakes.

Sources

Many foods contain potassium. All meats (red meat and chicken) and fish such as salmon, cod, flounder, and sardines are good sources of potassium. Soy products and veggie burgers are also good sources of potassium.

Vegetables including broccoli, peas, lima beans, tomatoes, potatoes (especially their skins), sweet potatoes, and winter squashes are all good sources of potassium.

Fruits that contain significant sources of potassium include citrus fruits, cantaloupe, bananas, kiwi, prunes, and apricots. Dried apricots contain more potassium than fresh apricots.

Milk and yogurt, as well as nuts, are also excellent sources of potassium.

People on dialysis for kidney failure should avoid consuming too many of these potassium-rich foods. These people require specialized diets to avoid excess potassium in the blood.

Deficiency

A deficiency of potassium (hypokalemia) can happen in people with certain diseases or as a result of taking diuretics (water pills) for the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure. Additionally, many medications — such as diuretics, laxatives, and steroids — can cause a loss of potassium, which occasionally may be very severe. You should have your blood levels of potassium checked from time to time if you take any of these medicines. Diuretics are probably the most common cause of hypokalemia.

A variety of conditions can cause potassium loss from the body. The most common are vomiting and diarrhea. Several rare kidney and adrenal gland disorders may also cause low potassium levels.

Toxicity

Too much potassium in the blood is known as hyperkalemia. Some common causes of this are reduced renal (kidney) function, an abnormal breakdown of protein, and severe infection. The most common cause of hyperkalemia is reduced kidney function, especially in people receiving dialysis for kidney failure. Certain medicines affect the body’s ability to get rid of potassium. These include potassium sparing diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Sources:

1. Potassium in diet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
   U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
2. Dietary Guidance, DRI Tables
   Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library, USDA

Related posts:

1. Sodium
2. Phosphorus
3. Copper
4. Chloride
5. Calcium