The importance of potassium in the diet can never be overstated. This mineral serves some very important purposes in the body and without it many of the body’s functions would be severely depressed. Very few people consume the right amounts of this mineral oblivious of the fact that by so doing they are placing themselves at risk of suffering from one related deficiency or another. It is prudent that one takes in the daily required minimum for positive health gains. What does potassium do?

The functions of this mineral are quite many. Potassium helps in the regulation of the bodily fluid levels. It also has a major role in the regulation of the blood pressure in the body. It ensures that the heart is constantly pumping blood at the required rate. Potassium has a key function in the nervous system. It acts by ensuring that the nervous tissues that compose the nervous system are functioning properly. Potassium is involved in the enhancement of muscular control.

It plays a major role in the growth and development of cells particularly if you consider its role in the removal of waste products from the body. In this way it is a key mineral especially in the renal system or kidney function. Potassium has a major role in the regulation of both physical and mental processes. It is also much required in the delivery of oxygen to the brain and in this way it promoted effective cognitive functions.

What are the negative effects of failing to have the sufficient levels of potassium in the body? First of all we have to realize that this will lead to a handicap of various physical and mental functions. For the physical functions the negatives will include twitching and cramping of the muscles, weakness of the muscles, in some circumstances there may be actual damage to the muscles, one may develop poor reflexes, the bones may become fragile, there is general fatigue, the heartbeat becomes irregular alongside other associated cardiovascular ailments, there is the possibility of kidney failure and lung failure.

Sometimes a person may laps into cardiac arrest. As for the mental symptoms that may be exhibited these may include depression, insomnia, anorexia, various forms of nervous disorders, and a slowed cognitive process.

There are various situations that may lead to a deficiency of this critical mineral. Some of these include alcoholism, periods of time that are characterized by illness or high levels of stress, prolonged periods of vomiting and diarrhea. Some other reasons are pretty self-inflicted including the consumption of excessive caffeine and excessive salt in food. A diet chiefly composed of processed food is one of the causes of potassium deficiency.

What can be done to avoid all these negative aspects? The main way of overcoming or preempting such conditions is making sure that we are always feeding on a healthy and balanced diet that is mainly sourced from whole food sources. This will ensure that we always have sufficient levels of this mineral in the body.

Dane Fletcher is the world’s most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.

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