Potassium

Potassium (K) is a metal that is silver-white in appearance. It is found in the soil, and helps with plant growth and health.http://www.tamuk.edu/chemistry/WebElements/potassium_element.htm Potassium is an electrolyte, and is utilized in the human body by providing support for cells, tissues, and organs. The heart, bones, and muscles all benefit from the intake of potassium for proper function.http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/potassium-000320.htm

A large intake of potassium through food or supplements may interact with other medications and vitamin levels. Potassium may interfere with medications for diabetes and heart disease, causing them not to work.http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium Taking anti-inflammatory drugs may cause potassium levels to rise. Some diuretics, corticosteroids, antacids, insulin, and laxatives may cause potassium levels to fall.http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/potassium-000320.htm

People with certain health conditions such as poor bone and heart health, high blood pressure, stroke, and inflammatory bowel disease may benefit from taking potassium supplements or increasing their daily intake through diet.http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/potassium-000320.htm http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/potassium-and-your-heart

Some sources of potassium are swiss chard, romaine lettuce, crimini mushrooms, spinach, celery, basil, mustard greens, raw fennel, broccoli, winter squash, cucumber, blackstrap molasses, tomato, collard greens, eggplant, cantaloupe, green beans, kale, brussels sprouts, raw carrots, and beets.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002413.htm

Individuals who have diseases or disorders that prevent the absorption of nutrients in the body, such as celiac disease, have an eating disorder, or a poor daily diet may have a potassium deficiency.http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium Every age group has a recommended daily intake of potassium:

• Newborn to 6 months: 400 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• 7 months to 12 months: 700 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• 1 year to 3 years old: 3,000 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• 4 years to 8 years old: 3,800 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• 9 years to 13 years old: 4,500 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• 14 years and older: 4,700 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• Pregnant women: 4,700 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium
• Breastfeeding women: 5,100 mghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-potassium

• Feeling of fatiguehttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90
• Weak muscleshttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=90
• Muscle crampshttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/potassium/
• Abdominal bloatinghttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/potassium/
• Constipationhttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/potassium/
• Arrhythmiahttp://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/potassium/

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.