The Importance Of Vitamins And Potassium In The Human Body
Rachel Gillespe
Have you ever wondered why the word 'essential' usually
precedes the term, 'vitamins'? The reason is simple. Vitamins
as well as minerals ensure that our bodies function as they
were designed. Interestingly, as important as vitamins are, the
body lacks the ability to manufacture most on its own. Instead,
it must rely on outside sources to meet its nutritional needs.
Potassium
Potassium is one of the body’s major minerals. It is an
electrolyte like sodium or chloride but unlike those two, 95%
of it is found inside the cells fluids. One of potassium’s
functions is to control the muscles and the nerves.
The balance of electrolytes changes as they pass in and out of
the cells. This causes an electrical charge and that is how the
cells communicate with each other. These charges are how muscles
contract.
The heart which is one of the body’s largest muscles relies on
potassium to keep it beating. Potassium not only stores the
main source of fuel, glycogen, but it also helps to convert
blood sugar (glucose) into glycogen.
Without potassium the lungs and the kidneys wouldn’t function
properly. It controls the water level. In fact, one of the
symptoms of potassium deficiency is extreme thirst or water
retention.
Potassium has been known to lower blood pressure in people
affected by high blood pressure. It is beneficial to arthritis
suffers because it removes the acids around the joints that
cause pain. The way potassium reduces the acid level in the
body not only helps with arthritis, but with headaches and
migraines too. Potassium prevents the loss of bone mass which
is a cause of osteoporosis.
Sources of potassium
There isn’t a daily recommended amount of potassium, but people
are able to get enough eating fruits and vegetables such as
dates, bananas, apricots, kiwis, oranges, tomatoes and
potatoes. It is also available in foods such as legumes, meat,
fish, whole grains and dairy products.
Potassium is water soluble. The excess is normally flushed out
in the urine. However, people with malfunctioning kidneys are
prone to heart problems.
Potassium deficiencies
Potassium deficiencies are due to excess vomiting, the misuse
of laxatives or diuretics, and diarrhea. Aside from water
retention and thirst, symptoms include loss of appetite,
nausea, poor circulation, insomnia, fatigue, hypertension,
earaches or headaches, abdominal pain, general fatigue and
malfunctioning nerves and muscles.
About The Author: Rachel Gillespe is a staff writer at
http://www.nutrition-review.com
and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://www.womens-digest.com
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