NUTRITION&FOOD Published November27, 2014 By Staff Reporter

Potassium And Its Role In Health: Good For The Heart, Bone, Muscles, And Maintaining The Blood Pressure

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Potassium
(Photo : commons.wikimedia.org) Potassium is essential for many body processes.

According to studies and researches, potassium plays a major role in the severala body processes. It is needed by the body to perform roles especially by major organs like the heart. Also, they found out that it is definitely good for the bone, muscles and even in the regulation of vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate.

The body needs certain vitamins and minerals in order for it to function properly. One of the most important mineral in the body is potassium. Potassium is a mineral found mainly in foods that people consume. Actually, the recommended daily consumption of potassium for an adult is 4,700 mg while calcium's daily intake is only 1,200 mg. Aside from being a mineral, it is also an electrolyte and with sodium, they promote fluid and electrolyte balance.

Potassium is needed by the body because it has many functions in many systems of the body and if these are functioning well, helps the nervous system by controlling tissues needed for sending nerve impulses, contraction of muscles, aids in the process of metabolism, helps in waste elimination and it enhances efficient cognitive performance.

It helps the heart by keeping it in optimal function. In fact, based from the data of the American Heart Association, when a person has adequate potassium, it can aid in maintaining a good heart health and even blood pressure. It helps in proper muscle contraction and nerve conduction. Since the heart is a muscle, it helps in keeping it healthy and functional.

Bones and muscles are beneficial in having ample amounts of potassium in the body. It is needed to maintain functionality of muscles and bones in the body. Potassium is an alkalinizing agent and can help in maintaining blood pH while bones provide the only considerable extra pool available to titrate extra metabolic acids from body processes.

Also, normally, the spare sodium in the bloodstream is excreted by the kidneys. Nonetheless, there are people with genetic conditions that inhibit them from excreting excess sodium in the body.  Henceforward, water retention happens. It then increased blood pressure. Goof thing, potassium can thwart the negative effects of increased sodium in the body especially in the blood vessels.

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