Potassium: mineral for nerves, muscles and heart. What is the role of potassium in the body, in what products is it contained?

The role of potassium in the human body is huge. Read more in the article.

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Potassium is an important mineral that takes an active part in many processes of functioning of the body. It is necessary for the work of cardiovascular, muscle and excretory systems. The mineral enters our body with food, vitamin complexes, drugs.

Read on our website an article about what vitamins are in tomatoes. You will learn about useful vitamin-mineral elements and harmful substances.

Most often, potassium is prescribed by a doctor in the form of an auxiliary remedy, to replenish the deficiency of the substance and additional assistance in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Read more about the potassium mineral and its benefit for the body is described below. Read further.

Is potassium a mineral or vitamin?

In the periodic table, potassium elements are represented only by one letter K.which in many cases leads to confusion with its namesake of the same name - vitamin K.. But it must be understood that mineral potassium and vitamin K. - These are completely different substances that perform various functions in the body. They are almost not found together in the same food, but for full health it is important to maintain the balance of each of the nutrients.

What does potassium do?

According to the chemical table - potassium Belongs to the group of minerals-electrolytes and can conduct electricity when it is completely dissolved in the liquid. These substances are always combined in pairs according to a simple and familiar scheme "Electric conductor":

A molecule having a positive charge - they include potassium, is always accompanied by a molecule with a negative value - for example, chloride.

Potassium, in many cases, is closely connected with sodium, and together these two minerals affect the maintenance of health in all cells of the body. They are of great importance in the blood pressure system, the construction of the bone system, and lower the possibility of chronic diseases.

What role in the body is played by potassium: a biological role for nerves, muscles and hearts, functions

The main biological role of potassium is assistance in cell functioning. This is nutrition for nerves, muscles and heart. In addition, the main duty of the mineral in the body is to preserve the necessary accumulation of nutrients that are important for the work of the heart and the performance of its main functions. Read more about potassium and its role in the body:

Helps regulation of the rhythm of the heart, maintaining the acid-base balance, it performs the functions of an anti-sclerotic agent, fights an excess of sodium in capillaries and cells.
He takes an active part in the supply of oxygen in the hemisphere of the brain, broadcasts nerve impulses, lowers blood pressure, and provides assistance in removing toxins, toxic substances from the body.
Promotes the development of the tone of the connective tissue of muscles and the elasticity of blood vessels.
It is important for the construction, growth and work of soft tissues: capillaries, muscles, liver cells, brain, glands.
It is located in all intracellular fluids, which helps it successfully eliminate stagnation of water: eliminate swelling, delaying the withdrawal of urine.
It has an anti -sclerotic effect, interfering with sodium accumulation in cells.
Reduces the risk of chronic fatigue, prevents fatigue after physical activity.
Participates in the synthesis of proteins, necessary in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and the transformations of the incoming glucose into cell energy.
Supports the excretory function of the kidneys.
Helps in the transportation of ammonia and its further exit from the body.

Significant concentration of the mineral - about 98% Located inside the cells. Of them about 80% are located in muscle tissue, the rest 18% - In bone, blood and liver.

Important: Mineral elements of potassium and magnesium are the basis of medicines prescribed for cardiovascular diseases. But it must be remembered that the use of drugs is permissible after consulting the attending physician.

What is sodium-potassium pump and its role in the human body?

Inside each cell of the human body, there is an active transport mechanism that moves sodium ions from the inside of the cell system and potassium ions in the opposite direction. This system is called sodium-caloric pump. Such an active transport mechanism is necessary for all living cells to maintain an osmotic balance. Without his work, the cell begins to swell and bursts.

The diet with a high content of sodium salts and a lack of potassium will complicate the effective operation of the pump.
For the healthy functioning of the body, our body is necessary for potassium consumption from 1800 mg per day, depending on age, gender, physical activity.
Most often, the mineral is part of plant products - nuts, seeds and dried fruits, and is also present in low -fat varieties, fish.

But in conjunction: sodium-cali, the first is part of the dishes in larger quantities. Its daily range is from 2500 to 7500 mg, and a significant part is contained in salt, semi -finished products, chips, fast food products. Often the amount of salt when eating increases in size from 1 to 3 teaspoons per dayWhat can serve as a risk of “clogging” potassium in pairs.

Do not forget about another important role of the ligament:

The mechanism of the correct ratio maintains an electric charge inside the cell, which is important for the full operation of nerve and muscle cells.
Potassium, leaving the boundaries of the cell, frees sodium, which leads to a change of type of charge.
It is the change in the poles from the positive to the negative, sending a nervous impulse that makes the muscles contract.

Therefore, a lack of potassium negatively affects the work of muscles, nerve cells.

Symptoms of a lack of potassium: manifestation of deficiency

A lack of potassium can further cause muscle convulsions, problems in active brain activity, disorders in the work of heart function. Constant irritability and physical weakness also indicate its lack.

The manifestation of initial symptoms shows a weak level of energy supply in building cells.
Potassium is the main element in the transition of sugar contained in the blood to the carbohydrate molecule - glycogen. This is the name of the supply of excess sugar in the form of small granules in the blood and tissues.
Potassium deficiency leads to a decrease in the amount of glycogen. Since this substance is consumed in most cases with intensive sports, its lack is of fatigue, increased muscle weakness.
The absence of the required amount of potassium in the diet leads to fluid loss and increased fluid release from the body in the form of sweat, diarrhea, frequent urination.

Therefore, doctors advise not to get involved in the use of laxatives, diuretics, aspirin and other medicines leaching potassium. But besides the main signs of a lack of potassium, there are indirect causes of the loss of the element in the body. These include:

Stressful situations. During tension, the body begins to “lose” potassium. At the same time, the reserve of sodium is rapidly increasing, and even more complicating the situation. As a result, the balance of sodium and potassium is violated, which leads to additional problems.
Adherents of low -calorie strict diets, fans of active and intensive training Especially at risk of energy is especially at risk associated with a lack of potassium. Nutritionists advise taking control tests before the start of the diet, during its peak phase. These data are necessary to make sure that the body receives the required amount of potassium, and also notice its deficiency in time.
Older people are risk, since an important element involved in the construction of the tissue and bone systems is more intensively washed out of the body.

It's important to know: With strong physical and mental stress, the period of pregnancy, passion for salt food, the body's need for potassium increases as much as possible.

The balance of potassium in the body matters: what products are contained in?

As mentioned above, the equal ratio of potassium and sodium is important for human health. Deviation from the norm in the diet may cause a violation of equal proportions of minerals. Therefore, potassium balance in the body matters. It is worth knowing:

In most developed countries, today, scientists talk about potassium and sodium consumption in food, in proportion 1:2where the larger coefficient is referred to sodium salts.
However, other experts (nutritionists, doctors) insist on the formula of the opposite administration, when to maintain health, it is necessary to take twice as much potassium.

The ratio of the elements is easy to observe if the diet is additionally introduced fruits, vegetables, dried fruits. What products contain a mineral? Products that occupy the first positions in the ratio of increased potassium rate to sodium are off -season:

Peas
Beans (especially dark varieties)
Lentils
Nuts
Seeds
Dried fruits
Mushrooms
Eggplant
Cabbage - Brussels and white
Kohlrabi
Potato
Radish
Turnip
Tomatoes

Greens are also rich in potassium:

Parsley
Salad leaves
Rhubarb
Dill
Spinach
Sorrel

If you constantly give preference to precisely these food products, then the level of potassium in the body will grow.

It is worth knowing: Vitamin complexes contain a small fraction of potassium - about 3% of the daily norm. A large dose of this trace element is part of the nutrition, active complexes and drinks for athletes who are accepted during intensive training.

Experts categorically insist that if you revise your diet, you can fully provide your body with the daily norm of the mineral without additional taking biological additives. But with the deterioration of well -being and the appearance of signs indicating a lack of potassium in the body, it is advisable to consult a medical clinic for advice.

Blood pressure: potassium, magnesium, sodium and their role in medicine

In the body of a healthy person, the kidneys, responding to a high level of sodium, actively remove him in the urine. But together with sodium, potassium also comes out, and at its reduced level, problems arise in the work of the kidneys. As a result:

With an insufficient amount of potassium in cells, an intensive accumulation of sodium, which leads to the retention of the fluid, occurs.
This leads to an increase in the amount of water in the body, an increase in the volume of blood circulation.
From the side, the situation resembles the opening of the crane after a long absence of water.
The narrowed channels of the arteries cannot quickly carry out the entire liquid, pressure occurs on the vessels, which is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and rapid heart function.

It should be noted that the excess of the sodium trace element is also negatively reflected in the elasticity of blood vessels, reducing their ability to expand and narrow, and a small level of potassium aggravates negative actions. What is the role of potassium in medicine? Here are a few facts:

Doctors argue that a noticeable effect for monitoring the level of blood pressure gives the use of food additives, which include exclusively potassium.
The result improves if during the period of taking the trace element reduce sodium consumption.

Watch the video of the famous doctor who leads its channel on YouTube and successfully helps people. She tells how to reduce pressure, taking simply potassium and magnesium.

Video: A simple way to reduce pressure. Evidence medicine

The need for potassium in body cells

Pharmaceutical companies produce a trace element as a synthetly obtained chemical substance of potassium salt in the form of substances of chloride and bicarbonate. They are often supplemented by various food additives - for example, a synthetic sweetener aspartam, citrate.

Medicines are produced in the form of tablets, soluble capsules, but with a single dose equal to about 99 mg.
A more significant value when taking can cause vomiting, dizziness, allergic reactions.
But at the same time, experts declare the benefits of cooking salt, which includes a reduced share of sodium and increased part of calcium. The product contains 240 to 530 mg of potassium In a quarter of the coffee spoon.

Speaking about the daily potassium consumption standards, it should be noted that the minimum norm of consumption of an important substance for the body is 2400 mg for women, 3400 mg for men. If there is its deficiency, you need to receive active additives. In the case when the need for potassium is not replenished through the diet, the doctor may prescribe drug therapy.

Side effects when taking potassium preparations

As a rule, biological active additives are designed strictly on a certain dose and are well absorbed by the body. But the additional use of potassium preparations is contraindicated in patients in case of impaired renal function taking prescription medical drugs:

With diuretic action
Reducing blood pressure
Taking cardiotonic drugs

The simultaneous use of active potassium and drug additives increases the risk of potassium excess. Read more about this below.

Excess potassium in the body

We list several basic reasons that cause an overdose with a mineral element. These include:

Prolonged use of food additives, where the basis is potassium
Constant consumption of legumes and potatoes in large quantities, as they contain a high level of potassium
Insulin deficit
Renal failure

An excess of potassium level in the body, which exceeds the norm, can cause a deterioration in well -being and give rise to more serious problems:

General muscle fatigue
Increased risk of diabetes
Anxious and depressed state
Intestinal cramps
Strengthening the urge to urination, increased sweating. In this case, the body will try to withdraw excess trace elements.

Potassium is of great importance for the body if a person is playing sports. Read more below.

Potassium is important for the body of athletes

During intensive training, part of the element comes out with later, therefore, with active classes, the loss of a trace element increases. Also, it is involved in the construction of tissues of the muscle system. As you can see, potassium is important for the body of athletes. To replenish the level of potassium, there is a need to increase its daily norm.

Based on potassium, medicines and active additives were released that help athletes during the period of active gain in body weight, stimulation of the heart muscle. Potassium salt is the basis of a pharmaceutical drug for athletes - potassium opotate, positioning in the market of biological products, as a non -hormonal anabolic agent that helps, including the regeneration of muscle tissue. With active training, the load on the cardiovascular system increases, and potassium orphanage helps to balance blood pressure during training.

Potassium deficiency occurs in the case of an active “drying” of the body before sports championships - when using diuretics, as a result of a rigid diet and a decrease in the amount of fluid. Drinking additives based on the element, during compliance with the mode, help to normalize potassium indicators in the body.

It is worth knowing: The desired ratio of potassium in the body can be maintained by adding food products containing an important element to the diet. The consumption of active additives is additionally possible only in case of lack of substance.

Each of us has its own unique metabolic system, each differs in age, gender, genetic predisposition. At the same time, the amount of potassium easily changes and depends on the lifestyle, and thanks to the correction of food habits, physical activity and taking a complex of vitamins, you can significantly improve well -being, and even extend youth. Good luck!

How do you make up for a lack of potassium? Write in the comments.