Holistic Healing discussion
Have you ever wondered why the word 'essential' usually precedes the term, 'vitamins'? The reason is simple. Vitamins as well as minerals ensure that our bodies function as they were designed. Interestingly, as important as vitamins are, the body lacks the ability to manufacture most on its own. Instead, it must rely on outside sources to meet its nutritional needs.
Potassium
Potassium is one of the body?s major minerals. It is an electrolyte like sodium or chloride but unlike those two, 95% of it is found inside the cells fluids. One of potassium?s functions is to control the muscles and the nerves.
The balance of electrolytes changes as they pass in and out of the cells. This causes an electrical charge and that is how the cells communicate with each other. These charges are how muscles contract.
The heart which is one of the body?s largest muscles relies on potassium to keep it beating. Potassium not only stores the main source of fuel, glycogen, but it also helps to convert blood sugar (glucose) into glycogen.
Without potassium the lungs and the kidneys wouldn?t function properly. It controls the water level. In fact, one of the symptoms of potassium deficiency is extreme thirst or water retention.
Potassium has been known to lower blood pressure in people affected by high blood pressure. It is beneficial to arthritis suffers because it removes the acids around the joints that cause pain. The way potassium reduces the acid level in the body not only helps with arthritis, but with headaches and migraines too. Potassium prevents the loss of bone mass which is a cause of osteoporosis.
Sources of potassium
There isn?t a daily recommended amount of potassium, but people are able to get enough eating fruits and vegetables such as dates, bananas, apricots, kiwis, oranges, tomatoes and potatoes. It is also available in foods such as legumes, meat, fish, whole grains and dairy products.
Potassium is water soluble. The excess is normally flushed out in the urine. However, people with malfunctioning kidneys are prone to heart problems.
Potassium deficiencies
Potassium deficiencies are due to excess vomiting, the misuse of laxatives or diuretics, and diarrhea. Aside from water retention and thirst, symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, poor circulation, insomnia, fatigue, hypertension, earaches or headaches, abdominal pain, general fatigue and malfunctioning nerves and muscles.
About the Author:
Rachel Gillespe is a staff writer at Nutrition Review and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Women's Digest.
Discover Healthy Ways to Eat to Improve Skin
Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:18:15 EST
Here's a look at healthy ways to eat to improve skin quality. You need protein, complex carbohydrates, fat and all of the nutrients that are necessary for good health. Some are simply more important t...
Shanghai seller stops sales of suspect dog food - The Associated Press
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:10:33 GMT
Shanghai seller stops sales of suspect dog food The Associated Press - "Here we were paying the extra cash to try to ensure she was healthy and instead it made her sick," he said. Addie died on Jan. 5. ... |
Everyday life for Palestinian children disrupted by Gaza crisis - Reuters AlertNet
Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:56:00 GMT
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone. NEW YORK, USA, 5 January ...
Parents call for healthy food guidelines - The Age
Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:05:36 GMT
Parents call for healthy food guidelines The Age, Australia - And they want governments to enforce healthy food guidelines across the hospitality industry. The poll conducted by advocacy group, The Parents Jury, ... Parents credit cinemas with leading role in junk food drama Kids menus fail to make the grade |
De-Hulled / Shelled Organic Hemp Seeds - 500g
Ecozone can crusher
Maca Online
Labels: Raw Food Sellers | Raw Food pro
posted by Freddie | 4:08 PM
|
0 comments
