We have learnt that why potassium is an essential mineral among all the electrolytes in our body. Also we looked into why we need to consume large amounts of potassium rich foods to function sodium potassium pumps which are located on the surface of the cells.
Potassium has got a lot of functions to do. So how could you get to know that you are potassium deficient?
Here are some qualities or symptoms which allow you to comprehend whether you are potassium deficient or not:
- Fatigue: People who are deficient in potassium are likely to suffer from fatigue. This is because to generate sodium potassium pump we need more energy thereby we need more potassium. A normal individual needs daily intake of potassium nearly equal to 4700mg which is so much. We can’t take the potassium pills as they give only 40 to 90mg. Moreover if we take whole bottle of pills we need to balance the other minerals too. So it is better to take potassium from your diet. A lot of salad indeed.
- Blood Pressure: If you have low potassium your blood pressure will increase because potassium helps to relax.
- Muscle cramps: This happens to people with low potassium levels because potassium is an electrolyte.
- Sugar craving: Potassium helps to store glucose and if you have less potassium you may feel to eat sweets or any sugar.
And other symptoms like constipation, high insulin, muscle weakness, abnormal heartbeat, anxiety and sleeping problems.
So to get more potassium in our body daily, we should consume these foods:
- Avocados
- Kidney Beans
- Spinach
- Wild caught salmon
- Acorn squash
- White beans
- Dried apricots
- Pomegranates
- Sweet potatoes
- Coconut water
- Bananas
- Flax Seeds
- Tomatoes
I will try to consume some of these foods in daily basis in order to get at-least some amount of potassium to help generate energy and to maintain or balance all minerals.