Dangers of Low Potassium

The dangers of low potassium levels in the body are numerous and can range from minor health issues to long term debilitating diseases.  With potassium being one of the body's major minerals, its most important role is its ability to control the action of our nerves and muscles.

Benefits of Potassium

The heart, one of the body's largest muscles, relies on the mineral, potassium.  Our heart muscle depends on a steady supply of potassium to keep it beating rhythmically around the clock.   Potassium also regulates the creation and the storage of the muscles' main source of fuel, glycogen.  Potassium also assists in the process of converting blood sugar, or glucose, into glycogen.

Research has shown that an increase in the amount of potassium has helped individuals with high blood pressure to lower their blood pressure readings.  Among its other benefits is its ability to: 

• help relieve pain related to arthritis by removing the pain-causing acids from the affected joints
• relieve the pain associated with headaches and migraines.   
• keep the bones from losing mass, a condition that leads to osteoporosis.
• help the lungs expel carbon dioxide, and 
• control the water balance in your body

Dangers of Low Potassium Levels

A low level of potassium in the body can result in deficiencies, especially as a result of excessive vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics and laxative misuse.  Signs of low potassium levels include:

• irregular heart beat
• poor circulation
• diabetes
• earaches and headaches
• hypertension
• water retention
• nerves and muscles that don't function normally
• a loss of appetite
• fatigue
• insomnia
• nausea
• pain in the abdomen
• a thirst that cannot be quenched, and 
• overall feeling of weakness

If you experience any or a combination of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a potassium deficiency.  As you now know, it is very critical that you provide your body with an ample supply of potassium.  This can be achieved through a combination of eating the proper foods (learn the potassium content in food) and taking a mineral supplement.  Do you really want to suffer the dangers of low potassium when a mineral supplement will only cost pennies a day?  Your health is worth far more than this!