Potassium is a mineral found in many foods and used to maintain healthy muscle and cell function, tissues and organs including muscle function and promotion of a healthy skin. Potassium is measured in mmol/litre and the normal range is 3.5-5.0. Along with sodium, it helps regulate fluid balance within our body and regulate blood pressure.
Hypokalemia or low potassium levels can be determined via a blood test by your physician. It is important to keep levels within the normal range. Hypokalemia is quite rare as a lot of foods contain some level of potassium; potassium rich foods include lean meat, whole grain products, green leafy vegetables, bananas, avocadoes and baked potatoes.
Low potassium levels are generally caused by increased loss of liquid from the body; this may be due to sweating from an excessive workout or an illness through vomiting or diarrhoea. In this case fluids can be replaced by increasing your intake and by replacing the lost electrolytes through consumption of a sports drink.
The main symptoms of low potassium are an irregular heartbeat, stomach problems, fatigue, muscle tingling or numbness and pain which may, if left untreated, lead to difficulty with walking and other mobility issues.
It is important to contact your physician who may advise a high potassium based diet or prescribe a potassium supplement