If you are not familiar with the low Potassium Levels or deficiency in the body (Hypokalemia), you should definitely read this article.
Potassium is a highly important mineral that the body needs for proper functioning. It is very important for muscle strength, nerve functioning, and a healthy cardiovascular system.
Potassium improves the conduction of the nerves, regulates the heartbeat, and helps the muscles contract. It also works to maintain a proper fluid balance between your cells and body fluids.
Symptoms showing lack of potassium in the body can be alarming for your health, so you should be very careful if you have any of them.
I already mentioned that potassium has a very important part in the proper function of the muscles including the heart.
Because almost 98% of the potassium resides in the cells, even very small changes in its level can be dangerous on the nerves, heart, and muscles.
If these changes happen, the cells cannot repolarize and are unable to fire repeatedly, and muscles and nerves may not function normally.
If you have low potassium you will have the following symptoms:
1. Constipation
When you lack potassium in your system it can cause slowing down of many bodily functions as well as the process of digestion. Direct effect of this is abdominal bloating and cramping.
But don’t make the conclusion that you have low potassium levels immediately. First, you have to make sure that you control the foods you eat, that can cause you bloating.
2. General Fatigue
Another symptom that your potassium level is low is the general feeling of fatigue. So, this means that you feel tired not because of overexertion or overwork but for no explainable reason.
Every cell in our body needs potassium to be able to function properly, so when there is deficiency of it, it can significantly affect the functioning of the cells and organs.
In case you start experiencing general fatigue without any extra activities, consult your physician as soon as possible to find out the right cause.
3. High Blood Pressure
Potassium minimizes the effects of sodium. So, you must consume food rich in potassium in order to control your blood pressure level.
4. Feeling Bloated All the Time
Also when the level of potassium in the body is low, it’s difficult for the body to regulate the levels of sodium and this leads straight to salt-induced bloating.
5. Heart Palpitations
Potassium deficiency is likely to affect the heart health and it can cause irregular heartbeat rhythm and heart palpitations without any particular reason.
Also it can disbalance of the coordinated heart contractions. These contractions are controlled by electrical impulses.
So, in order to protect your heart from heart diseases, heart attacks, and strokes, make sure you get more potassium.
6. Numbness and Tingling
Potassium deficiency also affects the health of your nerves. In the case there is lack of this important mineral, it is possible for you to experience numbness and annoying tingling.
How to Consume More Potassium!?
Try eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day if you want to increase the potassium levels in your body.
This is beneficial not only for the regulation of your blood pressure, it can also help you avoid certain types of cancers, bowel problems, and even heart attacks and strokes.
