why potassium is necessary for our body?
Monday, August 9th, 2010 at
7:26 AM
can any one tell me in which daily food we eat,fruits,vegetables contain potassium? .Is it for the nerves or mussles?please guide me and give more and more answers so that i can take more advantage of it with u r help. thanks
Filed under: Potassium Questions
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Yes it is very necessary.
Potassium is an element (and an electrolyte) that’s essential for the body’s growth and maintenance. It’s necessary to keep a normal water balance between the cells and body fluids. Potassium also plays an essential role in the response of nerves to stimulation and in the contraction of muscles. Cellular enzymes need potassium to work properly.
Foods high in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, tomato or prune juice, honeydew melons, prunes, molasses and potatoes.
Potassium is a mineral that helps the kidneys function normally. It also plays a key role in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle contraction, making it an important nutrient for normal heart, digestive, and muscular function. A diet high in potassium from fruits, vegetables, and legumes is generally recommended for optimum heart health.
Having too much potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia and having too little in the blood is known as hypokalemia. Proper balance of potassium in the body depends on sodium. Therefore, excessive use of sodium may deplete the body’s stores of potassium. Other conditions that can cause potassium deficiency include diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, malnutrition, and use of diuretics. In addition, coffee and alcohol can increase the amount of potassium excreted in the urine. Adequate amounts of magnesium are also needed to maintain normal levels of potassium.
For most people, a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits provides all of the potassium needed. The elderly are at high risk for developing hyperkalemia due to decreased kidney function that often occurs as one ages. Older people should be careful when taking medication that may further affect potassium levels in the body, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and ACE inhibitors (see section on Interactions for additional information). Taking potassium supplements, at any age, should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Bananas is one of the richest foods in potassium. As an electrolyte, potassium is essential to all body functions as it regulates body hydration and many other processes.
Adding on to what Pippy said, potassium is an essential part of a balanced diet because it helps your muscles. Potassium helps break down lactic acid which causes cramps.
A banana a day will keep the muscle cramps away!!
Ever had a cramp in the middle of the night that woke you from your sleep, maybe in your calf or foot??
Potassium will keep that from happening.
Potassium is an electrolyte (mineral salt) that is of great important to the human nervous system, muscle function, fluid balance and heart, kidney and adrenal functions. Lack of potassium or(hypokalemia) in the body results in weakness, fatigue, confusion, heart irregularities, and sometimes problems in muscular coordination.
Hi there,
Potassium is a mineral that helps the kidneys function normally. It also plays a key role in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle contraction, making it an important nutrient for normal heart, digestive, and muscular function. A diet high in potassium from fruits, vegetables, and legumes is generally recommended for optimum heart health.
The rich sources of potassium are :
meats,
fish,
vegetables (especially potatoes), fruits (especially avocados, dried apricots, and bananas),
citrus juices (such as orange juice),
dairy products, and whole grains.
Adequate intake of milk, meats, cereals, vegetables, and fruits.
best wishes…
hey! im curt V!about your question
Some people with heart failure need to eat foods high in potassium. Potassium helps maintain the normal function of the heart and nervous system. Many people with heart failure take adiuretic (water pill) to help their kidneys make more urine and get rid of excess fluid. This can cause potassium loss.
Doctors sometimes prescribe a potassium supplement and recommend eating more potassium-rich foods.
* Dried fruits: raisins, prunes, apricots, dates
* Fresh fruits: bananas, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges
* Fresh vegetables: beets, greens, spinach, peas, tomatoes, mushrooms
* Dried vegetables: beans, peas
* Fresh meats: turkey, fish, beef
* Fresh juices: orange
* Canned juices: grapefruit, prune, apricot
!!hope this will help you!!
Potassium is a mineral found in our bodies inside and outside of our cells.
Known as an electrolyte, potassium along with other minerals such as sodium, chloride and calcium, is essential for normal cellular function.
- Conducting nerve impulses
- Initiating muscle contractions
- Helping the body to convert glucose into glycogen
Note: Glucose is the primary energy molecule used by the body, while glycogen is the body’s stored form of energy.
As you can see, potassium is a very important mineral that our bodies need every day to stay healthy.
Potassium is so abundant in the human diet that no Recommended Daily Allowance even exists for this nutrient.
wow what a name dude..it is very necessary to have or include potassium in our diet as it helps in strengthening our bones…so have it in your diet….