The Specific Uses of Minerals or Elements in the Body -- Potassium

June 2007: Volume 2 Number 6

Potassium [K] – Potassium is usually found in the intracellular fluids. Some cells contain more potassium than any other mineral, because it is essential for maintaining the fluid balance in the cells. It is also important to convert glucose into glycogen deposits in liver and skeletal muscle cells, enzymatic reactions in the cells, nervous system action potentials, hormone secretions, renal regulation, and skeletal and smooth muscle contractions.

Potassium must be balanced with sodium in many systems of the body such as the cardiovascular and urinary systems. Potassium balance is also affected by changes in pH and calcium concentration, which changes conditions for the body to properly function. The sodium-potassium active transport system functions to maintain the sodium-potassium balance. An excess of potassium can cause fatigue in muscles, unsynchronized heartbeats and may result in heart or kidney failure. Aldosterone is another factor in potassium regulation. An increase in potassium can cause an increase in this hormone causes a loss of potassium through urine or sweat. An increase in insulin levels causes a decrease in potassium levels. Some stimulants have an influence on potassium balance in the body. Stomach, intestines and kidney disorders usually cause a loss of potassium. A decrease in magnesium releases the hormone renin, which decreases body potassium.

Metabolic dysfunction in the body can be caused by a decrease or increase in body potassium, which can affect various body functions. Low potassium can cause a failure of carbohydrate metabolism, which depresses insulin production and alters glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscles. Low potassium can impair kidney function, which decreases urine concentration and allows only water to be eliminated, which causes a person to be thirsty. This process leaves the toxins in the body to cause other metabolic problems such as tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and kidney failure. Low potassium can causes muscles to be weak, slows the diaphragm to decrease breathing and even suffocation through paralysis and respiratory arrest. Low potassium causes slow intestinal movements with constipation, distention of intestines, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and intestinal obstruction which can cause death. Low potassium causes fast and slow heartbeats, poor timing of heart beats, cardiac arrest and death.

 Increased levels of potassium in the body are rare, but do occur. Excesses of blood potassium can cause toxic problems. High potassium levels can cause low levels of calcium, acidosis, insulin deficiency, cell hypoxia, kidney failure and changes in cell membrane permeability. High level of potassium causes similar symptoms like those seen in low potassium levels such as weak muscles, paralysis and changes in heart function. So, you can see that potassium balance in the body is very important and should be stabilized in a range of 3.5 to 4.5 milliequivalents (mEq) / per liter of fluid in the body.

We will discuss the Sulfur (S) atom in our next lecture as a continuation of the specific uses of minerals or element in our bodies.

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