How Is Potassium Depleted?
What is Potassium?
Potassium is an important mineral nutrient found in the human body. It is one the body's primary electrolytes and plays a part in its overall daily function. It functions in conjunction with sodium to regulate a fluid balance within the cell and between the cells of the body. Those with chronically low potassium levels tend to experience high blood pressure and vascular headaches as the body's sodium levels rise unchecked.
How is Potassium Depleted?
Potassium is used naturally for simple motor functions. It is used as part of the electrochemical impulse which causes the heart to beat. It is used in the digestive process, ensuring gastrointestinal motility. It is also used by the skeletal structure to increase bone density and rigidity. However, the body does a good job of balancing potassium levels during daily life, so the only way it could actually become depleted is through serious illness. Any sort of illness or disease which would cause the kidneys and liver to function excessively, thereby causing excessive urination, would deplete the body's potassium levels. Anything which would cause excessive fluid loss such as diarrhea and vomiting has the greatest potential to deplete the body's potassium levels.
How Can Potassium be Regained?
Potassium depletion is not typically an issue because the vast majority of the foods we eat contain it. Bananas as well as most other fruits are the highest in potassium, but it can also be found in meat and grain products as well. People who are prescribed diuretics or laxatives for frequent use tend to have reduced gastric absorption, meaning they may be eating well, but the body is less capable of absorbing the nutrients they need. In these cases doctors prescribe specialized high-potassium vitamin supplements to compensate. People with acute potassium depletion, typically those suffering from extreme dehydration, will be administered an intravenous solution containing a potassium electrolyte to help stabilize them.
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