Vitamin potassium in what foods?

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 particular element. Its imbalance leads to the formation of heart diseases, metabolic disorders, and muscle deterioration.

About trace element

Vitamin potassium is an important intracellular electrolyte. He is responsible for the course of most of the biochemical processes in the human body. Participates in intracellular metabolism, regulation of heart contractions, provides transmission of nerve impulses.

Potassium is quickly absorbed and easily excreted from the body. The concentration of the electrolyte depends on its intake along 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 products that provide the body with this microelement.

What role does potassium play in the body?

In the human body, potassium is inside the cells and is one of the main electrolytes. It provides the electrical potential of peripheral nerves and cell membranes, and regulates muscle contraction.

The therapeutic effect is based on the irritating effect of the mucous membranes and an increase in the tone of smooth muscles. Potassium contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

The trace element regulates the acid-base and water-salt balance in the body. Helps to remove excess fluid, which prevents the occurrence of edema, stagnation of urine. Potassium supports the body in tone, increases stamina.

Norm of potassium: content, consumption

The content of the element varies slightly depending on age, gender, physique. Such transformations are caused by changes in the cellular mass of the body. Potassium is distributed in the body in different ways, its highest content in red blood cells is 115 (in meq / kg of tissue weight), the least in lymph is 2.2. The distribution of 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 metabolizable potassium is 160-250 g. Potassium vitamin gets through food. The daily dose of potassium intake depends on the age and load on the body:

• Children under the age of 14 years - 0.65-1.7 g.
• Adults - 1.8-2.5 g.
• During pregnancy and during breastfeeding - 3.5 g.
• People involved in sports or exposed to heavy regular physical exertion - 4.5 g.

The established standards are advisory in nature and may vary depending on geographical location, season and physical condition.

What excess potassium indicates

The total potassium content may fluctuate independently of changes in plasma concentration. The following values ​​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, the norm is 3.5–4.8;
• from 14 years old - 3.6–5.1.

Elevated levels of potassium are associated with a large intake of it with food or drugs. The electrolyte concentration increases as it moves out of the cells. There may also be other reasons for the deviation from the norm:

• decay of pathological cells;
• severe tissue damage;
• pH decrease in violation of the acid-base balance of the body;
• hypovolemia;
• fading kidney function;
• hypocorticism;
• decreased function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, i.e., the hormonal system that regulates blood pressure;
• decrease in blood circulation in tissues;
• renal salt diabetes;
• shock conditions.

An increase in electrolyte levels may occur while taking drugs with heparin, vitamins with potassium in tablets, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In order to avoid negative consequences, the above medicines should be taken as directed by a doctor.

Potassium deficiency

Deficiency in the body of the intracellular cation is much more common than excess.

A decrease in 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 potassium vitamin.

Symptoms of a lack of substance are manifested mainly by disorders of the neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems:

• hypersomnia (increased drowsiness);
• impaired coordination of movement (ataxia);
• involuntary contractions of the muscles of the limbs;
• slow heartbeat;
• lowering blood pressure;
• sweating of the palms and feet.

One of the main reasons for the decrease in potassium in the blood is its increased excretion from the body with urine, then, with vomiting with bile. A lack of electrolyte can occur against the background of some pathologies:

• renal tubular acidosis;
• Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
• diabetes;
• extensive injuries;
• malignant tumors.

Potassium in plant foods

The main source of organic compounds among regularly consumed plant products are greens, dried apricots, beans. All products contain different amounts of potassium vitamins, which ones contain more and which less needs to be known to maintain the micronutrient norm.

Most of the substance is found in legumes. 100 g of beans contains half the daily norm of potassium - 1797 mg, and in soy - 1797 mg. True, nutrients are lost during cooking, especially when cooking. To preserve potassium, it is better to stew beans or steam.

Rice (1485 mg / 100 g) and wheat (1182 mg / 100 g) bran are rich in trace elements. Potassium is much higher in dried fruits than in fresh ones. Vegetables cannot boast of a high content, but the digestibility of the substance is much higher. High potassium content in dried fruits, nuts, grains, potatoes, all kinds of cabbage, bananas, mint leaves.

Animal products containing potassium

Trace in sufficient quantities is in the usual and beloved food. True, in animal products, potassium vitamin is much less than in plant foods. The record holder is red fish. 100 g of salmon contains 420 mg of potassium. The table below lists commonly consumed foods with potassium in them.

Potassium preparations

In medicine, organic and inorganic salts are used as potassium preparations, the action of which is due to the biological activity of potassium ions. Other chemical compounds of the element, whose properties are not dependent on the potassium content in them, are assigned to other groups of drugs. Drugs differ in their trace element and 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 Salts:

• Potassium acetate is used as an aqueous solution in diabetic ketoacidosis, as a diuretic in edema associated with circulatory pathologies. Also, potassium salt is used as a food supplement (E261).
• Potassium orotate is an anabolic used for anemia, heart failure, bacterial and drug intoxication of the liver, and arrhythmia.
• Potassium asparaginate 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 salts:

• Potassium carbonate is a homeopathic remedy.
• Potassium chloride - used to make up for potassium deficiency. The drug corrects the water-electrolyte balance of the body and metabolic processes.

Other medicinal products that are widely used in medical practice include potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), potassium perchlorate, potassium bromide. The pharmacological properties of these substances do not depend on the content of potassium in them.

Vitamins

In addition to medicines, potassium deficiency can be compensated with biologically active, nutritional supplements, multivitamin complexes. True, the mineral content in such products is lower than the average daily requirement, therefore, with a pronounced deficiency of the trace element, it is better to use special medicines.

The choice of drugs containing vitamin K potassium is quite wide. When buying, you should pay attention to the content in the complex of magnesium. Potassium regulates the functioning of the buffer systems and ensures the transmission of nerve impulses through the fibers. Magnesium is involved in the formation of bone tissue, metabolic processes. In the complex, the elements activate muscle contractions of the myocardium, their action is jointly 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 trace elements.

Potassium iodine, Vitalux - vitamins that can be used from three years. At the age of 6 years, Vitrum Plus is prescribed. The vitamins presented below are allowed to be taken from the age of 12:

• "Vitrum".
• Vitrum Centuri.
• "Centrum".
• "Dopelhertz Active Magnesium + Potassium".
• "Theravit."

Complexes of potassium and magnesium with a high content of vitamin A are not recommended during pregnancy due to the risk of impaired embryonic development under the influence of teratogenic factors.

The effect of potassium on the heart

With age, there are disruptions in the functioning of all organs and systems, including cardiovascular. Potassium plays a very important role in maintaining heart health:

• It normalizes the concentration of magnesium - the main nutrient of the heart.
• Restores heart rate.
• It has anti-sclerotic properties.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Improves myocardial metabolism.

Vitamins with potassium for the heart are used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes in the following diseases:

• Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized by increased pressure in the blood vessels and hollow organs.
• Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.
• Arrhythmia is a violation of the frequency and rhythmicity of a heartbeat.
• Heart failure.

Potassium is an important element in the body. If there are signs indicating its imbalance, it is necessary to review the diet and consult a doctor.