Everything you need to know about potassium deficiency and its health implications

Everything you need to know about potassium deficiency and its health implications New Delhi, April 01, 2017: Many a times we suffer from common medical conditions, which we can’t pinpoint an exact reason for. Often a simple deficiency can trigger these. For instance potassium deficiency can cause muscle cramps, diarrhea, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, heart rhythm disorders, and even congestive heart failure. Potassium is a mineral (electrolyte) in the body. Almost 98% of potassium is found inside the cells. Small changes in the level of potassium that is present outside the cells can have severe effects on the heart, nerves, and muscles. Potassium helps maintain bodily functions. For instance muscles need potassium to contract. One of the most crucial roles played by potassium is helping the heart muscle to beat properly and regulate blood pressure. Low potassium can occur for many reasons including the use of water pills (diuretics), diarrhea, anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism, use of insulin and chronic laxative abuse. Women are at higher risk of developing hypokalemia caused due to potassium deficiency. The kidney is the main organ that controls the balance of potassium by removing excess potassium into the urine. When potassium levels are low (hypokalemia), you can become weak, as cellular processes are impaired. The normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Low potassium is defined as a potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L. Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement said that, “Typically people who are potassium deficient experience mild symptoms. These may include those relating to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, muscles, heart, and nerves. Other symptoms include nausea, bloating, constipation, palpitation, feeling increasingly thirsty, weakness, cramping in arm or leg muscles amongst others. If any of the above symptoms are noticed and unrelated to any other condition it is important to medical advice. Without symptoms, low potassium levels are only diagnosed through a routine blood test or an ECG. Preventive health check-ups are thus crucial for all”. Those suffering from low potassium levels should avoid long, strenuous physical activities because loss of potassium occurs with sweating. If dietary supplements, diuretics (water pills), or laxatives are responsible for the low potassium levels, they must be stopped immediately. Treatment for potassium deficiency begins after lab tests confirm the diagnosis. Those suffering from it need to be placed on a cardiac monitor and have an IV started. Usually, those with mild or moderately low potassium levels (2.5-3.5 mEq/L), who have no symptoms, or who have only minor complaints only need to be treated with potassium given in pill or liquid form. A change in diet is advised for those with high risk of potassium deficiency. Examples of foods high in potassium include: • Bananas • Tomatoes • Oranges • Cantaloupes • Peaches

The benefits of oranges and lemons for those with high BP

The benefits of oranges and lemons for those with high BP
New Delhi, July 27, 2016: Increasing levels of potassium in the diet may lower a person's risk of developing high blood pressure and may decrease blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA. A healthy intake of potassium is one reason why vegetarians and isolated populations have a very low incidence of heart disease. In isolated societies consuming diets low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables, and which therefore have high levels of potassium, hypertension affects only 1 percent of the population. In contrast, in industrialized societies, where people consume diets high in processed foods and large amounts of dietary sodium, 1 in 3 persons have hypertension. The typical urban Indian diet contains about double the sodium and half the potassium that is currently recommended in dietary guidelines. The American Heart Association recommends intake of 4.7 grams per day of potassium. An increase in potassium with a decrease in sodium is probably the most important dietary choice (after weight loss) that should be implemented to reduce cardiovascular disease. Diets containing at least 500 to 1,000 milligrams magnesium daily and more than 800 milligrams of calcium daily may help lower blood pressure and the risk of developing high blood pressure, reports a study in Journal of Clinical Hypertension.