Potassium is an essential mineral for our cells, nerves and muscles. Read here which physical signs point to a deficiency, what causes it and how you can treat it.
Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that our cells, nerves and muscles in the body need to function. As a positively charged ion, potassium regulates the fluid balance in the cells, performs numerous metabolic tasks and regulates the level of acidity in the body and blood pressure . A normal adult potassium level is between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L. A value below 3.5 indicates a potassium deficiency, which is the most common form of electrolyte imbalance.
Table of Contents
Potassium Deficiency: These are the physical signs
- Muscle weakness and disorders such as tremors, cramps or paralysis
- emotional disturbances
- bloating and constipation
- in severe cases also cardiac arrhythmia
The causes of potassium deficiency
Potassium is ingested through food. For this reason, a deficiency arises from the loss or reduced intake of the mineral. This is favored by the following causes:
- regular intake of laxatives and water tablets
- Eating disorders such as anorexia (anorexia) or bulimia
- Malnutrition due to an unbalanced diet
- Insufficient fluid intake (elderly people are often affected)
- vomiting and diarrhea
- heavy physical exertion
- Heart disease or diseases such as leukemia, Crohn’s disease and untreated diabetes
- kidney disorders
- extreme Salzaufnahme
- alcohol abuse
Treatment of potassium deficiency
Depending on the severity and cause of the deficiency, a change in diet or potassium intake in the form of tablets or infusions can help. Important: Potassium supplements may only be taken under medical treatment, otherwise there is a risk of overdose (hyperkalemia). The body cannot regulate an excess through increased excretion. A potassium excess is noticeable through physical signs such as tiredness, confusion, diarrhea, muscle paralysis and speech disorders. In the case of kidney dysfunction or tumor diseases, the potassium value is usually too high.
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Proper nutrition with a potassium deficiency
A balanced, potassium-rich diet helps to prevent a deficiency. The daily requirement for adults is 2,000 mg. You can find a lot of potassium in these foods:
- Fruit, especially bananas and apricots
- Vegetables like carrots, kohlrabi or raspberries
- Whole grain bread
- nuts
- Vegetables like carrots, kohlrabi or pumpkin
- flesh
