by Idehen Peter

Created on: August 07, 2009   Last Updated: August 08, 2009

The Importance of Potassium

Doctors sometimes prescribed a potassium supplement and recommended eating more potassium-rich foods such as dried fruits (raisins, prunes, appreciates, dates), fresh fruits (bananas, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges), fresh juices(oranges and canned juices (grapefruit, prune, apricot).

Some people with hearth failure need to eat foods high in potassium because it is known to help maintain the normal function of the hearth and nervous system. Many people with hearth failure take a diuretic (water pill) to help the kidneys make more urine and get ride of excess fluid. This can course potassium loss.

However, it is said that every situation is different, and individuals would need to ask health care providers what's needed. This is essentially because some people who have kidney problems or take certain medications may risk having potassium buildup in their systems. This is because too much potassium can be just as harmful as too little!

You need to increase your potassium levels or decrease them; you need to know which foods meet your needs. Most people get sufficient potassium in a reasonably healthy diet-one that includes fresh fruits and vegetables and is low in sodium. Mineral in balance can occur from starvation diets, but more commonly results from excessive fluid loss from sweating diarrhea or the use of diuretics and laxatives.

Potassium, along with calcium and sodium is an electrolyte (mineral salt) important to the human nervous system, muscle function, fluid balance heart, kidney and adrenal functions. A deficiency of potassium (hypokalemia) can manifest as fatigue, confusion, hearth irregularities and some times problems in muscular coordination. Insufficient potassium can also exaggerate the effects of sodium.

The first sign of a potassium deficiency is usually a generalized weakness. People who exercise heavily and sweat heavily have higher potassium needs; they may need to take supplements to balance the electrolyte levels, or to bulk up their menus with high potassium foods.

On the other hand, people who suffer from some diseases, including diabetes and renal (kidney) failure can no longer metabolize guard against getting too much in their diet.

Since potassium has not been one of the nutritional values required in food labeling, determining the amount of dietary potassium has been more difficult than for example, sodium or fat content in foods.

People without the ordinary potassium requirements-either a need to supplement because of fluid less, or a need to limit their intake-should consult with their physician or nutritionist to determine their specific needs for each group.

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