Definition - What does Potassium mean?
Potassium (chemical symbol K) is an important electrolyte mineral that is essential in regulating electrical activity of the heart muscle, offsetting sodium levels, lowering blood pressure, and minimizing risk of cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates a daily consumption of 3,510 milligrams of potassium is conducive to good health. However, the majority of people receive less than the total average recommended while, alternatively, sodium imbalances in a regular diet are on the rise.
SureHire explains Potassium
Potassium derives from a variety of unprocessed foods rich in nutrients, including vegetables and fruits. Potassium helps stabilize acid-balance homeostasis in the body playing a vital role in keeping organs healthy. For example, a diet sufficient in potassium contributes to kidney function by prevention of kidney stones. In turn, this process allows for unimpeded evacuation of waste such as salt (sodium) during urination.
Although potassium intake carries tremendous health benefits, its scarcity in a well-balanced diet remains stagnant since the 1990s. This statistic reflects a culture that markets an increasingly growing number of sodium-based foods, which tend to compound unhealthy lifestyles. Consequently, many people are turning to potassium supplements to substitute its natural quality contained in food. However, research indicates that potassium supplements deprive people of important nutrients found otherwise in healthy foods.
For individuals with good kidneys, consuming a regular amount of potassium from foods coupled with minimizing sodium intake is considered the ideal diet. An imbalanced diet consisting of high sodium-based foods combined with a potassium deficit can impact people in the workplace. Individuals consuming potassium regularly, combined with reduced sodium intake, generally experience improved focus and enhanced moods while conducting daily tasks.
