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How important is potassium?

MedExpress Team

Magdalena Bauman

Published May 5, 2023 12:00

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Even if you observe potassium deficiencies in yourself, you should be careful with potassium supplementation, because an overdose is very dangerous - the result can be, for example, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory muscle weakness, or nervous system disorders.

Muscle cramps, swelling of the limbs, chronic fatigue felt without special justification - these can be signs of potassium deficiency. It is essential to supplement it, as it is one of the most important elements for our health.

Like chlorine and sodium, potassium is one of the electrolytes, or minerals, that dissolve in water and carry electrical charges in all of our body's cells. Potassium's properties allow it to move through cell membranes. Its role is very important: it regulates the pH inside the cell and the osmotic pressure within it, and is an activator of many enzymes. Above all, it is responsible for regulating water metabolism, blood pressure and proper kidney function, but also for the efficiency of the nervous system and maintaining acid-base balance. It also regulates the rhythm of muscles (including the heart muscle), helps supply oxygen to the brain, and stimulates insulin secretion.

Hypokalemia, or potassium deficiency

We speak of potassium deficiency...

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