As the third most abundant mineral in the human body, potassium plays a critical role in the healthy functioning of the circulatory, nervous and skeletomuscular systems. It is a key electrolyte, meaning that it helps make sure that the body is well hydrated. Just drinking water isn't enough to stay hydrated; electrolytes like potassium are critical to making sure the body actually takes the water in. Potassium is also important for brain and sensory function, allowing electrical impulses to pass between neurons. In addition, potassium plays a critical role in balancing blood pressure in cases of excessive sodium consumption. Finally, potassium allows muscle tissue cells to contract and expand without cramping up.
Due to the nature of our modern preservative-filled diet that contains more sodium than the body needs, it is more necessary than ever to ensure you get enough potassium so that your body works effectively. While it is very difficult to consume an excessive amount of potassium, by taking a potassium supplement you can ensure the health of your:
It is important to note that the more sodium you consume, the more potassium you need to consume. They are supposed to balance each other out, but because sodium is used excessively in a lot of packaged food products, a potassium supplement may be necessary to maintain physical health in the face of a modern diet.
The symptoms of potassium deficiency include:
If not treated early through supplementation, potassium deficiency has been shown to lead to higher incidences of diabetes and strokes.