Potassium is the mineral essential for the proper functioning of muscles, heart and brain, as well as counteracting water retention: it is found in bananas, in green leafy vegetables and tomatoes, in dried fruit and in blue fish
Potassium is an essential trace element for our body, since we are not able to synthesize it, so it is necessary to introduce it through food. Potassium in nature is found in rocks or in water, combined with other elements; it is a very ductile alkaline metal, of white-silver color. The term potassium comes from the Latin potassium, coming in turn from the word "potassa", which defines the mixture of mineral salts from which potassium chloride (KCl) is obtained. The chemical symbol K of potassium, on the other hand, derives from the initial letter of the neo-Latin derivation term kalium, which means "alcanine" (transliteration of the Arabic al-qalyah). Returning to the human body, potassium is present mainly inside the cells (about 95%) as K + cation and, for the rest, it is found in the interstitial liquids between one cell and the other. It is very abundant in our body, of which it represents about 0.35%. Potassium is essential for our well-being, since it plays a fundamental role in important biological functions, especially for muscle contraction, good functioning of the heart, transmission of nerve impulses and the water balance of cells. Let's see in detail what they are.
What are the functions of potassium in our body
Potassium is one of the most important trace elements for the human body. In fact it performs many vital biological functions. To start, potassium is necessary for the proper functioning of the muscles, since it is involved in the mechanism of contraction of muscle fibers, even of the heart, so much so that it regulates the heart rhythm and protects from risks of heart attack. Potassium, then, regulates the transmission of nerve stimuli, which is also related to the effectiveness of muscle contractility. Moreover, the right concentration of potassium in the blood regulates the blood pressure, modulating it in the case of hypertension and raising it if low. We must also consider that potassium is related to the metabolism of sodium (present in the human body as anion Na-). Therefore it is always necessary to evaluate the concentration of the two minerals together, which interact in the so-called sodium-potassium pump which, for example, regulates the osmotic pressure of the cells and the pH of the blood. Potassium is also involved in the mechanism that ensures the supply of nutrients, to the detriment of the toxins that are thus eliminated. Potassium plays a fundamental role in diuresis and, as a consequence, in water retention (caused by an excess of sodium). In fact, the hydrosalino balance of potassium is managed by the work of filtration of the kidneys. The potassium is absorbed in the small intestine and eliminated through the urine (always in the same quantity, so in case of excess you risk poisoning), the faeces and the sweat. Potassium is essential for those who practice sport, since it protects muscles from the onset of cramps, so much so that it improves athletic performance. Furthermore, potassium also plays an important role for women's health, during the cycle and during pregnancy, but generally to combat cellulite and swelling caused by water retention. It is also involved in the protein synthesis process and in the activation of certain enzymes, as well as being involved in the secretion of insulin and in the transformation of sugar into glycogen. In children it is essential for growth. The daily potassium requirement is between 2 and 5 grams, based on age, gender, health conditions and specific needs.