Uses Of Potassium
Several Important Uses of Potassium In Our Body
When we discuss the uses of potassium, we're talking about the uses of a rather strange element. A good trivia question might be - "What metal is the 7th most abundant element on earth, yet we rarely see it?" Potassium is the right answer, but we don't see it in its pure form. Potassium oxidizes rapidly, and catches on fire if coming into contact with water. Potassium is everywhere, but in the form of salts and other compounds.
As far as our health is concerned, there are two general uses of potassium. One, it is used by our body, in fact is present in every cell and we could not exist without it. Two, potassium is used in medicines for the treatment of various human ailments. Our body's use of potassium includes the functioning of cellular enzymes, transmitting impulses within the nervous system, and as a necessary element for muscle contraction, including the heart muscle.
One of the factors regulating our blood pressure is the presence of potassium. However, whether directly increasing the intake of potassium can significantly aid in the reduction of high blood pressure, is somewhat debatable. Here we're faced with a rather strange situation in which, while adequate dietary intake of potassium is essential to the prevention of high blood pressure, potassium supplements do not appear to help alleviate the situation.
A similar situation exists for the prevention of stroke. People who follow a potassium rich diet apparently have a reduced risk of stroke. Yet the intake of potassium supplements does not appear to have the same beneficial effect. One area in which potassium supplements do appear to be of help is in the case of inflammatory bowel disease, also called Crohn's disease. Physicians sometimes prescribe potassium supplements to help alleviate this condition.
Potassium also helps regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in our body. These electrolytes are often lost through sweat when exercising, and are often replenished by drinking the so-called sports drinks. The loss of these electrolytes, including potassium salts, causes many symptoms associated with overexertion. The kidneys regulate the level of potassium in our system, with excess potassium being discharged in the urine.
There are a number of medicinal uses of potassium, one of the most important being treating the symptoms of hypokalemia. These symptoms are generally seen as a lack of energy, weakness, and cramping. More severe cases are often revealed by electrocardiogram abnormalities, such as irregular heartbeat. Gastrointestinal disturbances are yet another symptom which may be treated by intake of potassium supplements.
Potassium is also believed to be essential for healthy bones. An onset of bone loss, or osteoporosis is often treated with medication containing potassium supplements, when a normal diet of fruits and vegetables is either unavailable, or for some reason is providing an insufficient amount of this element.
While there are a number of uses of potassium for medicinal purposes, it is rather strange that there exist conditions where, when a deficiency exists causing specific symptoms, potassium supplements appear to in some cases help, and in others, be of little value.