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Potassium Health Topic
Potassium plays an important role in the body. Potassium is a catalyst for many types of enzymes.3 Catalysts bring together other molecules in such a way that the chemical reaction can take place.1 Potassium aids muscle contraction; low potassium can cause the muscles to cramp. Potassium is a primary contributor to action potentials, which are the signals the brain sends to the muscles via the nervous system.4
In plants, potassium helps to stabilize pH between 7 and 8...optimum for most enzyme reactions. The amount of potassium present in the cell determines how many of the enzymes can be activated and the rates at which chemical reactions can proceed.1
Potassium is vital for normal heartbeat. Heartbeat irregularities, along with muscle weakness and confusion, are among the classic signs of potassium deficiency.2 Both rubidium and cesium competes with potassium ions for entry into cells.5 People taking cesium and rubidium supplements must be sure to get plenty of potassium and regularly get their body's potassium levels checked.
Dietary Sources of Potassium:
Dried fruits, banana, cantalope, prune juice, artichokes, beet greens, spinach, kidney beans, sweet potato, tomato juice, yogurt, halibut, salmon, tuna, and molasses.
In plants, potassium helps to stabilize pH between 7 and 8...optimum for most enzyme reactions. The amount of potassium present in the cell determines how many of the enzymes can be activated and the rates at which chemical reactions can proceed.1
Potassium is vital for normal heartbeat. Heartbeat irregularities, along with muscle weakness and confusion, are among the classic signs of potassium deficiency.2 Both rubidium and cesium competes with potassium ions for entry into cells.5 People taking cesium and rubidium supplements must be sure to get plenty of potassium and regularly get their body's potassium levels checked.
Dietary Sources of Potassium:
Dried fruits, banana, cantalope, prune juice, artichokes, beet greens, spinach, kidney beans, sweet potato, tomato juice, yogurt, halibut, salmon, tuna, and molasses.
Learn More About Potassium
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Functions of Potassium in Plants
Enzymes serve as catalysts for chemical reactions, being utilized but not consumed in the process. They bring together other molecules in such a way that the chemical reaction can take place. Potassium "activates" at least 60 different enzymes involved in plant growth. The potassium changes the physical shape of the enzyme molecule, exposing the appropriate chemically active sites for reaction. Potassium also neutralizes various organic anions and other compounds within the plant, helping to stabilize pH between 7 and 8...optimum for most enzyme reactions.The amount of potassium present in the cell determines how many of the enzymes can be activated and the rates at which chemical reactions can proceed. Thus, the rate of a given reaction is controlled by the rate at which potassium enters the cell.
CONTAINS REFERENCES
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Subduing Electrical Storms of the Heart
Nutritional therapy for arrhythmia focuses on two minerals in particular: magnesium and potassium. Nerve cells make use of both to help fire off messages, and a shortage of either one can cause life-threatening problems. Doctors have known for some time just how vital potassium is for normal heartbeat. Heartbeat irregularities, along with muscle weakness and confusion, are among the classic signs of potassium deficiency.
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Potassium Deficiency: Effects of Low Potassium
Potassium plays an important role in smooth muscular and cellular functioning, cardiovascular functioning, muscle contractions, nerve transmission, in conversion of glucose into glycogen and muscle building. Potassium is a catalyst for many types of enzymes and helps many important chemical reactions in the body. It is believed that potassium helps in improving ATP hydrolysis. Because of its alkaline property, potassium is a very important mineral which helps our body system to maintain its pH level balance. Potassium keeps blood pressure under control and helps in intra-cellular nutrient transfer.
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What is Potassium Needed for in the Human Body?
Potassium is crucial to the human body. Potassium aids muscle contraction; low potassium can cause the muscles to cramp. Potassium is a primary contributor to action potentials, which are the signals the brain sends to the muscles via the nervous system. A key element of membrane polarization, potassium helps muscles return to a resting state after exertion. Without the proper amount of potassium in the body, muscles can become weakened, and are often sore after physical exertion.
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Effects of External Cesium and Rubidium on Outward Potassium Currents
Both rubidium and cesium ions exert their blocking effects at the innermost site of a two-site channel, and that rubidium competes with potassium ions for entry into the channel more effectively than does cesium under comparable conditions.
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
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Analysis of the Effects of Cesium Ions on Potassium Channel Currents in Biological Membranes
Cesium ions block potassium channels in biological membranes in a voltage dependent manner.
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
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Low Potassium Linked to High Blood Pressure
Consuming too little potassium may be as big a risk factor for high blood pressure as eating too much sodium.
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How To Choose Potassium Rich Foods
Nuts and seeds are both extremely high in potassium. Dried fruit is all very high in potassium. Potassium-rich fruit, such as apricots, figs, bananas or currants.
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Potassium-Rich Foods Chart
Ranked listing of foods with the highest potassium content.
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How the Sodium Potassium Pump Works (Animation)
An animation illustrating how sodium, potassium and ATP work together to move in and out of cells.
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The Na+-K+-ATPase (Sodium Pump)
It has been estimated that roughly 25% of all cytoplasmic ATP is hydrolyzed by sodium pumps in resting humans. In nerve cells, approximately 70% of the ATP is consumed to fuel sodium pumps.
CONTAINS REFERENCES
Statements on this website have NOT been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; research is ongoing. All third-party health topic links provided on this website are for information purposes only. Always consult your doctor or nutritionist about any health or nutrition-related questions you might have.