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topic: potassium
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Potassium

Potassium is a nutrient essential for human life and good health. It is a necessary mineral micronutrient in human nutrition and a major positive ion inside animal cells. These functions makes this mineral an important part in maintaining water and electrolyte balance in the body and for the proper functioning of cells, including nerves.
The chloride form of this mineral is often used as a substitute for table salt (sodium chloride) by people seeking to reduce sodium intake in their diet in order to control hypertension (high blood pressure).

Function

This mineral is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, muscles, nerves, and digestive system. Usually the food you eat supplies all you need.

However, certain diseases (kidney disease and gastrointestinal disease with vomiting and diarrhea) and drugs, especially diuretics, remove this mineral from the body. Potassium supplements are taken to replace losses and prevent deficiency.

This mineral has a beneficial blood pressure-lowering effect in people with hypertension.

Food Sources

Good dietary sources of this mineral include: celery juice, bananas, prunes, raisins, milk, tomato paste, orange juice, beet greens and white beans, and many other good dietary sources of potassium, ranked according to potassium content per measure shown.

Side effects

This mineral may cause side effects: upset stomach, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • Mental confusion
  • Listlessness
  • Tingling, prickling, burning, tight, or pulling sensation of arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Heaviness or weakness of legs
  • Cold, pale, gray skin
  • Stomach pain
  • Unusual stomach bulging
  • Black stools

Before taking this mineral

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to this mineral or any other drugs.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, kidney, or Addison´s (adrenal gland) disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this mineral, call your doctor.
  • If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this mineral.