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Potassium Sodium and Chloride are Electrolytes
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Potassium,
sodium, and chloride are electrolytes – mineral salts that conduct
electricity when dissolved in water. They are so intricately related,
nutrition textbooks usually discuss them together, which I have done here.
However, my primary focus is potassium. The reason why these nutrients are
so intricately linked is that electrolytes are always found in pairs; a
positively charged molecule like sodium or potassium is always accompanied
by a negatively charged molecule like chloride.
Deficiency
Signs and Symptoms
A
potassium deficiency is characterized by muscle weakness, fatigue, mental
confusion, irritability, weakness, heart disturbances, and problems in
nerve conduction and muscle contraction. A diet low in fresh fruits and
vegetables but high in sodium is the typical cause of dietary potassium
deficiency. We often see dietary potassium deficiency in the elderly.
However, dietary potassium deficiency is less common than deficiency
caused by excessive fluid loss (sweating, diarrhea or urination) or the
use of diuretics, laxatives, aspirin, and other drugs.
The
amount of potassium lost in sweat is quite significant, especially with
prolonged exercise in a warm environment. Athletes or people who regularly
exercise have higher potassium needs. Because up to 3 grams of potassium
can be lost in one day by sweating, a daily intake of at least 4 grams of
potassium is recommended for these individuals.
Beneficial
Effects
Potassium
is an extremely important electrolyte that functions in the maintenance
of:
- Water balance
and distribution
- Acid-base
balance
- Muscle and
nerve cell function
- Heart function
- Kidney and
adrenal function
- MHP
Probolic Sustained Release Protein
has 500mg of Potassium Per
Serving plus a host of other great Muscle building Supplements
Over
95 percent of the body’s potassium is in cells. In contrast, most of the
body’s sodium is outside the cells in blood and other fluids. How does
this happen? Cells actually pump sodium out and potassium in via the
"sodium-potassium pump."
This pump is in the membranes of all
body cells, and one of its most important functions is preventing cellular
swelling. If sodium is not pumped out, water accumulates in the cell,
causing it to swell and ultimately burst.
The
sodium-potassium pump also functions to maintain the electrical charge
within the cell. This is particularly important to muscle and nerve cells.
During nerve transmission and muscle contraction, potassium exits the cell
and sodium enters, which results in an electrical charge change. This
change causes a nerve impulse or muscle contractions, so it is not
surprising that a potassium deficiency affects muscles and nerves first.
Although
sodium and chloride are important, potassium is the most important dietary
electrolyte. In addition to functioning as an electrolyte, potassium is
essential for conversion of blood sugar into glycogen, the storage form of
blood sugar in the muscles and liver. A potassium shortage results in
lower levels of stored glycogen. Because exercising muscles use glycogen
for energy, a potassium deficiency produces great fatigue and muscle
weakness, the first signs of potassium deficiency.
Principal
Uses
Principal uses of supplemental potassium are for potassium depletion
(deficiency) and high blood pressure.
Dosage
Ranges
The
estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake of potassium set by the
Committee on Recommended Daily Allowances is 1.9 grams at 5.6 grams. If
diet does not meet body potassium requirements, supplements,
supplementation is essential to good health.
This statement is
particularly true for the elderly, athletes, and people with high blood
pressure.
Safety
Issues
Most
people can handle any excess of potassium.
The exception is people with
kidney disease; they do not handle potassium in the normal way and may
experience heart disturbances and other consequences of potassium
toxicity.
Individuals with kidney disorders usually need to restrict their
potassium intake and follow the dietary recommendations of their
physicians.
Interactions
Potassium
interacts in many body systems with magnesium.
Potassium supplementation
(unless supervised by a physician) is contraindicated when using a number
of prescription medications, including digitalis, potassium-sparing
diuretics, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor class of blood
pressure-lowering drugs.
REFERENCE:
Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements; by Michael T. Murray, N.D
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