Chapter

Potassium

From Human Nutrition by Human Nutrition

Concepts

1. Potassium Regulation

   "Potassium is the most abundant positively charged ion inside of cells. Ninety percent of potassium exists in intracellular fluid, with about 10 percent in extracellular fluid, and only 1 percent in b

2. Body Functions

   "Nerve impulse involves not only sodium, but also potassium. A nerve impulse moves along a nerve via the movement of sodium ions into the cell. To end the impulse, potassium ions rush out of the nerve

3. Potassium Imbalances

   "Insufficient potassium levels in the body, or hypokalemia, can be caused by a low dietary intake of potassium or by high sodium intakes, but more commonly it results from medications that increase wa

4. Dietary Potassium

   "The IOM based their AIs for potassium on the levels associated with a decrease in blood pressure, a reduction in salt sensitivity, and a minimal risk of kidney stones. For adult male and females abov