What does potassium provide to the body? Symptoms of excess potassium in the body in women and men are a real threat! Deficiency and excess of potassium in the body

Potassium, translated from Arabic, literally means plant ash. potassium is a metal white color, which was opened in England in 1807. In nature in pure form this metal is practically not found due to its high chemical activity. Despite this, potassium is present in all plants and their fruits without exception. potassium in the body a person is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of cells. Even small changes in its amount in the body affect its overall performance.

All muscles, especially cardiac, capillaries, vessels, kidneys, liver, glands internal secretion, as well as brain tissue, function normally due to potassium salts. It is present in all intercellular fluids. Alsopotassium in the body human takes part in the regulation of protein and carbohydrate metabolism, maintains stable kidney function and magnesium concentration. In turn, magnesium is very important element which supports the work of the heart. The level of acids, salts and alkalis is also regulated by potassium. Normal level potassium in the human body does not allow the development of the syndrome chronic fatigue, it prevents the development of atherosclerosis, relieves spasms, normalizes blood pressure, supplies the brain with oxygen, removes toxins from the body. That's why potassium in the human body plays a very important and essential role.

What can a lack of potassium in the body lead to?

Stressful situations and heavy physical activity lead to lack of potassium in the body. Improper nutrition- alcohol, coffee, excessive sweets, diuretics, excessive salt intake slow down the absorption of potassium and contribute to flushing it out of the body. Rapidly appearing bruises, tumors, muscle pain, poorly healing wounds, dry skin, brittle nails, disruption of the adrenal glands and the heart can indicate a lack of potassium in the body.

What can excess potassium in the body lead to?

Too much potassium in the body leads to a violation of the acid-base balance towards acids, arrhythmia occurs, work is disrupted gastrointestinal tract in the form of indigestion or ulcers duodenum. Too much potassium in the body- hyperkalemia disease leads to serious violations kidney function, drowsiness and even disorientation. The concentration of potassium in the blood is more than 0.06% leads to severe consequences, and at a concentration of 0.1% death occurs.

Too much potassium in the body may arise due to kidney failure, the use of large amounts of mineral medicinal waters, insulin deficiency, dysregulation of potassium metabolism.

Ways to correct the deficiency and excess of potassium in the body

At lack of potassium in the body limit, or better yet, eliminate the consumption of non-natural carbonated sweet drinks (Pepsi, Fanta, Cola, etc.). Limit your salt intake as much as possible nervous overload and mental disorders increase your intake of potassium-containing foods. Muscle pain, caused by a lack of potassium, quickly disappear if sore spot lubricate apple cider vinegar with honey.

At excess potassium in the body on the contrary, reduce the intake of potassium-containing foods, start treatment concomitant diseases. In large quantities, potassium contributes to the excretion and indigestion of important elements such as silver, bromine, cesium, sodium, rubidium.

daily requirement for potassium

For healthy person daily rate potassium is 1-2 grams. A young growing organism (children) needs 20-30 mg of potassium per kilogram of body weight. Potassium in our body is especially small in spring and vice versa in autumn its amount doubles. The body of an adult contains about 250 m3 of potassium. It should be remembered that potassium in our body does not accumulate, so its deficiency can occur quickly due to food with a low content of potassium. It should also be noted that potassium and sodium in the body strongly influence each other. Therefore, it is considered the most optimal ratio the content of potassium in the body is 1 to 2, it depends normal exchange substances.

What foods contain the most potassium?

Contains a lot of potassium in meat, especially in the liver. Tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, legumes, kiwi, avocados, citrus fruits, grapes, bananas, melons, and prunes are rich in potassium. Among the greens, parsley, horseradish, asparagus, spinach, lettuce can be distinguished. Also rich in potassium Rye bread, peanut butter, oat groats. Drinks include milk, cocoa, black tea. In order to preserve maximum potassium in the products, it is better to steam them or boil them in a small amount water. good and in a simple way replenishment of the body with potassium is a properly cooked millet porridge. Before you cook porridge, you must first calcine the millet groats a little, and then cook it over low heat. Add as little salt as possible to the finished porridge. Such porridge can make up for the deficiency of potassium in the body during the day.

Be healthy and cheerful!

Potassium is chemical element responsible for many processes occurring in living organisms. Impossible without it normal work cardiovascular, excretory, nervous, musculoskeletal systems. Potassium is well absorbed from foods, the list of which is long. However, the element is actively excreted from the body along with the excreted fluids, so their intense loss is a reason to think about the balance of potassium.

Potassium in the human body performs the following functions:

• Together with sodium, it provides sodium-potassium balance, which maintains optimal pressure inside the cell.
• A normal sodium-potassium balance and the direct participation of potassium in the process of generating energy from glucose ensure the correct contraction of muscle fibers, including those of the heart.
• Ensures the constancy of the liquid composition inside the cell.
• As part of all body fluids, it supports acid-base balance in them.
• Provides nervous excitability and conduction of impulses.
• Takes part in correct work kidneys, thereby preventing the occurrence of edema and slagging of the body.
• Acts as a catalyst in many organic chemical reactions, including those contributing to the physical endurance of a person and saturating the brain with oxygen.

Potassium deficiency in the body - causes and symptoms

The main symptoms that help recognize hypokalemia (lack of potassium) relate to the nervous, muscular and cardiovascular systems:

• violation heart rate;
• muscle weakness, cramps and pain;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• tremor of the limbs;
• irritability;
• fast fatiguability;
• drowsiness.

Possible causes leading to hypokalemia:

• physical overload accompanied profuse sweating;
• insufficient intake of potassium from food and / or an excess of sodium-rich foods in the diet;
• stress;
• violations of the organs of the excretory system;
• intense loss of body fluid after the use of diuretics, laxatives or hormonal drugs.

Excess potassium - causes and symptoms

An excess of potassium in the body has the medical name "hyperkalemia" and is a consequence of:

• renal failure;
• physiological disorders of potassium metabolism in the body;
• long-term use of drugs saturated with potassium in the absence of indications for their use;
• insulin deficiency states.

Symptoms of hyperkalemia:

• arrhythmia;
• sweating;
• frequent urination;
• intestinal colic;
• muscle paralysis;
• increased excitability.

In the absence of measures to reduce the level of potassium in the body, hyperkalemia is the cause of the development of diabetes.

Potassium in sports

It is important for any person to maintain the optimal concentration of potassium in the body, but for an athlete, the content of this element is doubly important. After all, he is directly involved in neuromuscular regulation, and with active physical activity excreted from the body along with sweating. This chemical element helps the body to quickly restore strength after exercise, so it is included in the composition of sports drinks recommended for use immediately after training. Many experts in sports nutrition It is recommended to saturate as much as possible with potassium the meal following the training.

The intake of potassium

The recommended daily intake of potassium depends on the person's age. For young children, it is calculated based on the ratio of 15–30 mg per 1 kg of weight. For an adult, a minimum daily threshold for the intake of an element is set equal to 1 g. If a smaller amount of an element regularly enters the body, then a severe form of hypokalemia develops. Adult optimal daily dose= 2 g, for leading people active image life, you need to increase the intake of potassium to 2.5–3 g. For athletes during the recruitment period muscle mass it is advisable to set the intake of this macronutrient at the level of 4–5 g per day.

Foods rich in potassium

Many foods are rich in potassium. The top three are green tea with an element content of 2.5 g per 100 product, as well as cocoa and dried apricots (1.7 g of potassium per 100 g of product). Slightly behind are cheeses and milk (1–1.3 g). A lot of potassium in nuts, dried fruits, mushrooms, potatoes, spinach. From fruits, bananas, peaches, avocados deserve attention, from vegetables - beets, tomatoes, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts. Buckwheat and oatmeal should also be included in the diet.

Potassium easily passes into water, so foods with it should not be soaked, and it is better to prefer steaming to cooking. What can be eaten raw - eat without heat treatment.

Vitamins containing potassium

Since it is not difficult to replenish potassium reserves with such a rich assortment of products, special dietary supplements with a high content of this element (potassium gluconate, potassium orotate, bio-potassium) are prescribed only for diagnosed hypokalemia.

Preparations containing potassium and magnesium are usually prescribed for the prevention of diseases. of cardio-vascular system(Panangin, Kudesan, Optisalt, Basiko concentrate).

AT complex vitamins potassium contains about 2% of the daily requirement. In sports vitamin and mineral complexes of high quality, there is always a triple "potassium - magnesium - pyroxidine". You can pay attention to products from such well-known manufacturers as Universal Nutrition or BioTech. Effectively saturate the body with potassium, weakened after intensive training, sports drinks - they are always based on glucose, potassium, sodium.

To maintain an optimal balance of potassium in the body, it is enough balanced nutrition and intake of fortifying vitamins. If there is a suspicion of a significant imbalance of the macronutrient, then you should consult a doctor. After carrying out simple analyzes, a specialist will help to correct the situation. Be healthy!

Potassium is one of the seven significant macronutrients, along with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine and sulfur. The person needs at least 100 mg of potassium daily to support key body processes.

High potassium intake is associated with a reduced risk of death from a variety of causes. Potassium is associated with a reduction in risk, protection against muscle loss, and a decrease in the formation of kidney stones.

The main functions of potassium in the body include the regulation water balance and control electrical activity heart and other muscles. Potassium is an electrolyte that counteracts the effects of sodium, helping to maintain normal blood pressure and acid-base balance.

Various potassium supplements are available on the market, but food is nonetheless The best way getting vitamins and minerals. It is also important to remember not to focus on one specific product nutrition to receive essential vitamin or mineral, the synergy of multiple products is important.

It has been proven that supplements of certain nutrients do not provide the same benefits as dietary intake of these nutrients.

It is important to first focus on getting your daily requirement of potassium from food and only then use supplements as a backup source.

Potential Health Benefits of Potassium

Blood pressure and cardiovascular disease: insufficient intake Potassium has been associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease more than once. Most people know that low sodium intake has importance to lower blood pressure, but adequate potassium intake is just as important.

Increasing potassium intake and decreasing sodium intake is very important change in a person's diet to reduce the risk cardiovascular disease. One study found that people who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium daily had a 49% lower risk of death from death compared to people who consumed less potassium (about 1,000 mg per day).

Bones and muscles: Potassium-rich foods contribute to alkaline environment in the body, as opposed to acidosis, which leads to the so-called "Western" diet. Metabolic acidosis is associated with a diet rich in acid-increasing foods, such as meat, dairy products, and processed grains. All this leads to the release of nitrogen, loss of mineral density bone tissue and muscle atrophy.

Foods rich in potassium

Potassium is found in many whole, unprocessed foods. Best Sources potassium: leafy greens, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans. Processing significantly reduces the potassium content of food. Therefore, a diet high in processed food products, most likely with low content potassium.

Many processed foods contain a large number of sodium intake and as sodium intake increases, it is important to get enough potassium in the body, as it negates the effect of sodium on arterial pressure. Fruits and vegetables with every meal guarantee high content potassium.

• Half an avocado: 602 mg
• Medium banana: 422 mg
• 10 small mushrooms: 415 mg
• Cooked spinach, ½ cup: 419 mg
• Canned white beans½ cup: 595 mg
• Pumpkin, cooked, ½ cup: 448 mg
• Medium pear: 333 mg
• Medium mango: 323 mg
• Medium orange: 300 mg
• 30 grams of pistachios: 310 mg
• Raw melon, 1 cup: 417 mg
• Large potato with skin, baked: 845 mg

Potential risks of high potassium intake

In people with healthy kidneys excess amount potassium is excreted in the urine without any harmful side effects. Occasionally, there are cases associated with potassium toxicity, but they are all caused by the consumption of potassium supplements, not food.

Consuming too much potassium can be harmful for those people whose kidneys are not fully functional. Some sports supplements and salt substitutes are high in potassium and can cause cardiac arrest due to the effects potassium has on the heart.

Potassium is one of the most essential for human body nutrients and therefore a large amount of it is required for normal life. It is the main macronutrient found in plant foods.

The role of potassium in the human body

This macronutrient is very useful for the body:

• he is engaged in the regulation of water-salt and intracellular metabolism;
• provides acid-base balance;
• helps the heart to work properly;
• transmits nerve impulses into the muscles;
• reduces the risk of stroke by supplying oxygen to the brain;
• promotes the removal of toxins and fluids from the body.

This beneficial macronutrient is found in many foods. daily diet person. Among those that are extremely rich in potassium are the following:

• dried apricots and prunes, raisins and dried apricots;
• , cherries, currants, plums and pears;
• , beets, radishes, zucchini and pumpkin;
• cocoa powder.

In addition, a large amount of potassium can be found in fish, beef and veal.

Daily dose of potassium

The amount of potassium in the human body is 0.25% of its body weight, that is, the average daily rate is 1.5-2 grams.

Since potassium is an important element for the human body, its insufficient amount will immediately be noticeable for health reasons. It must be emphasized that for most cases the body loses a significant amount of it, provided that:

• a person uses great amount diuretic drugs;
• he is observed frequent vomiting and diarrhea;
• he was found to have hyperfunctioning of the adrenal cortex;
• the person is constantly sweating.

What can a lack of this important macronutrient lead to? Characteristic indicators of this will be the constant general weakness and drowsiness, lethargy and loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, and low blood pressure.

Scientists have proven that an insufficient amount of potassium significantly increases the risk lethal outcome in case of a stroke.

Too much potassium in the body

The scientific name for this phenomenon is hyperkalemia, which is accompanied by disorders normal functioning organism and all its organs. In this case, the person is excited (both physically and mentally), he has pale skin, frequent urination, paresthesia of the limbs, changes in the ECG.

Features of the absorption of potassium by the human body

The human body is designed in such a way that potassium is perfectly absorbed in the intestines and easily excreted in the urine. Although it must be said that the body removes almost the amount of potassium that it consumes, therefore its reserves must be constantly maintained within the normal range.

Indications for the use of potassium

It is important to know that this macronutrient is highly soluble in water. This happens when foods containing it are boiled or soaked. Normal quantity potassium balances the balance of most enzymes in the body, and also regulates osmotic pressure inside the cells. This helps the entire body to function properly. Potassium ensures the activity of every small particle of this complex human system. Thus, the presence required amount potassium prevents the occurrence of heart failure, stroke, arrhythmia and other problems with the cardiovascular system.

A living organism is a complex but fragile system in which each component has its own meaning. Deficiency of even the smallest substance can cause health problems. Special attention it is recommended to give the content of potassium.

Description

Lack and excess of potassium in the body

Potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Weakness in the muscles.
• Muscle cramps.
• Excessive irritability.
• Rapid fatigue.

An important compound in pharmacology is potassium bromide. The substance is used as a sedative component for nervous system.

• Cardiac disorders (extra or missed beats).
• Constipation.

The deficiency may be due to the intake of some pharmacological agents, profuse sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, excessive fluid loss.

Effects

Persistent hypokalemia can lead to the following consequences:

• Syndrome of constant fatigue.
• Weak muscle tone.
• Collapse (flaccid or atonic paralysis). The condition threatens to completely stop breathing.
• Rigidity of the muscles. Cells with hypokalemia begin to collapse, the fluid flows out, which causes severe necrosis of the skeletal muscles.
• Colic, pain, bloating. AT severe cases there is a complete stop of the digestive tract.
• Arrhythmia. Coordination of heart contractions is controlled by impulses that are transported throughout the heart muscle through a unique system. Potassium deficiency destabilizes this mechanism. it real threat for life, a person can die from cardiac arrest.

• Fainting and dizziness. The kidneys do not cope with their function in relation to the concentration of urine. The body suffers a huge loss of fluid, resulting in a decrease in pressure. If the person is standing, they may faint or feel very dizzy.
• Tingling and numbness. The work of the nervous system with a lack of potassium becomes abnormal. Similar effects often affect the limbs.
• The development of ulcerative formations.
• Depression.

Treatment

Therapeutic measures consist in the appointment of a special medical nutrition and receiving special medicines(in the form of injections). The appointment depends on the severity of the patient's condition.

An excess of matter

Hyperkalemia also causes serious disorders. Most often suffer people with kidney disease, after past illnesses, injuries, bleeding, diabetics.

Potassium superoxide and potassium peroxide when absorbed carbon dioxide releases oxygen. This property is successfully used on submarines and in insulated gas mask systems.

Symptoms similar states are as follows:

• Excessive anxiety, increased excitability.
• Weakness, fatigue.
• Difficulty breathing, chest pain.
• Loss of orientation.
• Numbness of the tongue, paresthesia of the extremities.
• Disorders of the stomach.

Effects

A constant excess of potassium leads to the following consequences:

• Pancreatitis (damage to the pancreas, which has an inflammatory nature of origin).
• Deposition of salts in tissues and kidneys.
• Excessive excretion of urine along with sodium.
• Arrhythmia.

Treatment

Therapeutic measures consist of adjusting nutrition and taking medications. In more serious conditions, the introduction of K. antagonists is prescribed.

Foods containing potassium. Contraindications for use

In medicine, one single incident of the absence of poisoning with pure potassium cyanide has been recorded. The man took 3.25 grams of the drug, but the doctors could not establish the reason for such an amazing resistance.

Products that remove potassium. Contraindications for use.

Drugs for drug replenishment

Distribution received such pharmacological agents:

• "Asparkam". A tablet preparation containing an equal dosage of magnesium and potassium.
• Tablets with film sheath synthesized on the basis of potassium and magnesium.
• "Potassium chloride". Concentrated cooking powder injection solutions. It is administered mainly intravenously.
• "Potassium frothy". The powdered substance is used to prepare oral solutions.
• . Available in the form of tablets and powders.
• "Kalinor". Active substance- potassium citrate. The tablets are effervescent.
• "Calipos prolongatum". Tablet form synthesized on the basis of potassium chloride.
• "Potassium acetate". Solution for oral administration.

Balance is the basis on which the fragile health of a person is based. To save good health overabundance or lack of any substances, especially potassium, should not be allowed.

What is the danger of potassium deficiency: