Potassium

Chemical formula/structure

K1+

http://www.lm.liverpool.k12.ny.us/HyperChart/periodicchart/p.c.gifs/potassium.GIF

http://www.chemicalelements.com/bohr/b0019.gif

Natural Sources of this nutrient in foods

Potassium is found in avocado, bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, beans, pumpkin, potatoes, pork, chicken, spinach, turkey, tomatoes, and watermelon.

http://www.nutritionfarm.com/FOCUS/FOCUS/Minerals/potassium.htm

How it is used by the body

It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance and water balance in the blood and the body tissues. 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. It is needed for the proper functioning of nerve cells, in the brain and throughout the body.

http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/002413.htm

In the nervous system when a neuron decides to fire, the cell wall suddenly becomes permeable to sodium ions, and sodium ions near the cell wall suddenly move into the cell, followed a microsecond later by a flow of thousands of potassium ions in the opposite direction. This change in permeability shoots down the nerve fiber as a wave at about 100 meters per second powered by 1/10 of a volt of concentration differential. This gives energy to the nerve cell.

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Effects if this Nutrient is not present

Symptoms of potassium deficiency include weakness, fatigue, abnormal heartbeat, and irregularities in the electrocardiogram (ECG), a test of heart function.  Potassium deficiency is associated with general muscle weakness which may lead to reduced intestinal tone and distention, to cardiac abnormalities, and to respiratory failure.  Less severe but chronic depletion results in what is termed "hypokalemic nephropathy" and kidney impairment.  Additional symptoms of potassium deficiency include slowed growth, bone fragility, paralysis, sterility, mental apathy and confusion, kidney damage, and damage to the heart.  Sudden death that can occur during fasting, anorexia nervosa, or starvation is often a result of heart failure caused by potassium deficiency.  Dehydration is dangerous because the potassium deficiency that occurs numbs the person's desire for water.  Excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, vomiting and diarrhea, or chronic low intake of water combined with profuse perspiration can lead to dehydration and potassium deficiency.

http://www.nutritionfarm.com/FOCUS/FOCUS/Minerals/potassium.htm

If you have to much of it

Most people can safely absorb up to 18 g of potassium a day. In fact, potassium toxicity is very unlikely to occur unless you take potassium supplements inappropriately or your kidneys don't function properly. That's because the kidneys carefully monitor the balance of potassium in the body and excrete any excess. However, if your kidneys are malfunctioning for some reason and can't properly process and eliminate potassium as a result, you may develop toxic levels of potassium in your bloodstream by taking supplements. That can lead to muscle fatigue and an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia).

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10086,00.html#If_You_Get_Too_Much

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