Vitamin potassium is one of the important trace elements in the human body. The full functioning of the endocrine glands, blood vessels, heart muscle is provided by this element. Its imbalance leads to the formation of heart disease, metabolic disorders, muscle deterioration.
About trace element
Vitamin potassium is an important intracellular electrolyte. It is responsible for most of the biochemical processes in the human body. Participates in intracellular metabolism, regulation of heart contractions, ensures the transmission of nerve impulses.
Potassium is quickly absorbed and easily excreted from the body. The concentration of the electrolyte depends on its intake with food and drugs. Potassium does not accumulate in tissue cells, so it is very important to know the norms of its content in the blood and consume foods that provide the body with this trace element.
What role does potassium play in the body
In the human body, potassium is located inside the cells and is one of the mainelectrolytes. It provides electrical potential to peripheral nerves and cell membranes, regulates muscle contraction.
The therapeutic effect is based on the irritating effect of mucous membranes and an increase in the tone of smooth muscles. Potassium promotes vasodilation, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
The trace element regulates the acid-base and water-s alt balance in the body. Promotes the removal of excess fluid, which prevents the occurrence of edema, stagnation of urine. Potassium keeps the body in good shape, increases endurance.
Potassium norm: content, consumption
Item content varies slightly depending on age, gender, body type. Such transformations are due to changes in the cell mass of the body. Potassium is distributed in the body in different ways, its highest content in erythrocytes is 115 (in mEq / kg of tissue weight), the least in lymph is 2, 2. The distribution in other organs is approximately the following: muscles - 100, brain - 84, heart - 64, liver - 55, lungs - 38, teeth - 17, bones - 15.
In the human body, the share of exchangeable potassium is 160-250 g. Vitamin potassium gets through food. The daily intake of potassium depends on age and load on the body:
- Children under 14 - 0.65-1.7
- Adults - 1.8-2.5 y.
- During pregnancy and during breastfeeding - 3.5 g.
- People involved in sports or heavy regular physical activity - 4.5 yrs
The established norms are advisory in nature and may vary depending on the geographical location, season and physical condition.
What does excess potassium indicate
Total potassium can fluctuate independently of changes in plasma concentration. The following indicators are considered normal values (in mmol / l):
- children from birth to a month - 3, 7-5, 9;
- from 1 month to 2 years - 4, 1-5, 3;
- from 2 to 14 years old, the norm is 3.5–4.8;
- from 14 years old - 3, 6-5, 1.
Elevated potassium levels are associated with a large intake of it from food or drugs. The electrolyte concentration increases as it moves out of the cells. There may also be other reasons for deviation from the norm:
- disintegration of pathological cells;
- serious tissue damage;
- decrease in pH in violation of the acid-base balance of the body;
- hypovolemia;
- fading of kidney function;
- hypocorticism;
- decrease in the functions of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, i.e. the hormonal system that regulates blood pressure;
- decrease in blood circulation in tissues;
- renal s alt diabetes;
- shock states.
Elevated electrolyte levels may occur while taking drugs with heparin, vitamins with potassium in tablets, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To avoid negative consequences, taking the above medicines shouldcarried out as prescribed by a doctor.
Potassium deficiency
Lack of an intracellular cation in the body is much more common than excess.
Reducing the concentration of electrolyte in the blood may be the result of taking antibacterial drugs, alpha and beta agonists, cyanocobalamin, folic acid, diuretics, antifungal agents. The use of these drugs is recommended in combination with vitamin potassium.
Symptoms of a lack of a substance are manifested mainly by disorders of the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems:
- hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness);
- impaired coordination of movement (ataxia);
- involuntary muscle contractions of the limbs;
- slow heart rate;
- lowering blood pressure;
- sweating palms and feet.
One of the main reasons for the decrease in the level of potassium in the blood is its increased excretion from the body with urine, sweat, and vomiting with bile. Electrolyte deficiency can occur against the background of some pathologies:
- renal tubular acidosis;
- Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
- diabetes mellitus;
- major injuries;
- malignant tumors.
Potassium in plant foods
The main source of organic compounds among regularly consumed plant foods are greens, dried apricots, beans. All products contain different amounts of potassium vitamins, which ones contain more and which ones contain less, you need to know to maintain the norm.trace element.
Most of the substance is found in legumes. 100 g of beans contains half the daily requirement of potassium - 1797 mg, and soybeans - 1797 mg. True, nutrients are lost during cooking, especially when boiled. To preserve potassium, legumes are best stewed or steamed.
Rice (1485mg/100g) and wheat (1182mg/100g) bran are rich in micronutrient content. The potassium content is much higher in dry fruits than in fresh ones. Vegetables cannot boast of a high content, but the digestibility of the substance is much higher. Dried fruits, nuts, grains, potatoes, all types of cabbage, bananas, mint leaves are high in potassium.
Animal foods containing potassium
The trace element is in sufficient quantity in the usual and favorite food. True, animal foods contain much less potassium than plant foods. The record holder is red fish. 100 g of salmon contains 420 mg of potassium. The table below lists commonly consumed potassium-rich foods.
| product name, 100g | potassium content, mg |
| herring | 335 |
| cod | 235 |
| bream | 265 |
| pork | 345 |
| beef | 326 |
| turkey | 271 |
| chicken breast | 292 |
| chicken liver | 289 |
| quail egg | 144 |
| chicken egg | 140 |
| cow's milk | 147 |
| goat milk | 145 |
Potassium preparations
As potassium preparations in medicine, organic and inorganic s alts are used, the action of which is due to the biological activity of potassium ions. Other chemical compounds of the element, the properties of which do not depend on the content of potassium in them, are classified as other groups of drugs. Preparations differ in the content of trace elements in them and the degree of solubility. Separately, biologically active additives (BAA) and vitamins with potassium are isolated, the name of which may not even indicate the content of potassium in them.
Organic S alts:
- Potassium acetate is used as an aqueous solution in diabetic ketoacidosis, as a diuretic for edema associated with circulatory pathologies. Potassium s alt is also used as a food additive (E261).
- Potassium orotate is an anabolic used for anemia, heart failure, bacterial and drug intoxication of the liver, arrhythmias.
- Potassium aspartate is prescribed for a decrease in potassium in the body, as part of complex therapy for heart diseases.
- Potassium and magnesium asparaginate, Panangin - used as a regulator of metabolic processes, in combination with other drugs for heart failure, myocardial infarction.
Inorganic s alts:
- Carbonatepotassium is a homeopathic remedy.
- Potassium chloride - used to compensate for potassium deficiency. The drug corrects the water-electrolyte balance of the body and metabolic processes.
Other medicines widely used in medical practice include potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), potassium perchlorate, potassium bromide. The pharmacological properties of these substances do not depend on their potassium content.
Vitamins
In addition to drugs, the lack of potassium can be compensated with the help of biologically active, food supplements, multivitamin complexes. True, the mineral content in such products is lower than the average daily requirement, therefore, with a pronounced microelement deficiency, it is better to use special medicines.
The choice of preparations containing vitamin potassium is quite wide. When buying, you should pay attention to the content of magnesium in the complex. Potassium regulates the functioning of buffer systems and ensures the transmission of nerve impulses along the fibers. Magnesium is involved in the formation of bone tissue, metabolic processes. In a complex, the elements activate myocardial muscle contractions, their action is joint and functionally homogeneous.
When choosing a drug, children need to know not only which vitamins contain potassium, but also at what age they can be taken. Usually, the younger the child, the lower the concentration of micronutrients.
Potassium iodine, "Vitalux" - vitamins that can be used from the age of three. At the age of 6 years, Vitrum Plus is prescribed. vitamins,listed below are allowed from 12 years of age:
- Vitrum.
- Vitrum Centuri.
- Centrum.
- "Dopelherz Active Magnesium + Potassium".
- Teravit.
Potassium-magnesium high vitamin A complexes are not recommended during pregnancy due to the risk of teratogenic disruption of embryonic development.
Effect of potassium on the heart
With age, there are violations of the work of all organs and systems, including the cardiovascular. Potassium plays a very important role in heart he alth:
- Normalizes the concentration of magnesium - the main nutrient of the heart.
- Restores heart rate.
- It has anti-sclerotic properties.
- Reduces blood pressure.
- Improves myocardial metabolism.
Vitamins with potassium for the heart are used for preventive and therapeutic purposes in the following diseases:
- Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized by increased pressure in blood vessels and hollow organs.
- Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.
- Arrhythmia is a violation of the frequency and rhythm of the contraction of the heart.
- Heart failure.
Potassium is an important element in the body. If signs appear that indicate its imbalance, it is necessary to review the diet and consult a doctor.
