Potassium plays a pivotal role in the proper functioning of kidneys, the muscles, and the heart & in message transmission through the nervous system. It is an electrolyte that your body requires for staying healthy. Food rich in potassium helps manage blood pressure levels.
A person must aim to get potassium with the intake of a healthy and balanced diet that offers a range of minerals and vitamins. In some, cases, the doctor might recommend a potassium supplement.
An adequate intake of potassium helps in managing or preventing high blood pressure levels. If a person has a high intake of potassium and low sodium intake, it indeed helps in reducing the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
About potassium supplement
It has been seen in many cases that a healthy diet offers enough potassium if the diet contains low sodium. At times, doctors recommend potassium supplements and there is enough evidence that with the intake of potassium supplements one can manage certain things like:
- It helps in managing the blood pressure
- It prevents stroke
- It gives a boost to bone health
- It also helps in managing blood sugar levels.
Though, confirming that potassium supplements work great in treating or preventing health issues requires more research.
The deficiency of potassium can lead to various health issues like high blood pressure levels, low bone density, and the chance of developing stones in the kidney. A severe potassium deficiency can be life-threatening as it affects the heart.
An individual can tolerate a high potassium level that the kidneys remove. If you are taking any medicine then you must not increase potassium intake without discussing it with the doctor.
Food sources
Potassium is present in several plant-based foods but when processed, the level of the nutrient gets reduced. Soybean and peanut are great sources of potassium. Almond is considered one of the best sources of potassium.
The chief five dietary sources of potassium include meat, poultry, vegetables, non-alcoholic beverages, fruits, and dairy products. Overall, dry fruits & pulses are great sources of potassium.
Potassium level in the human body I detected through a blood test and it is after the test the doctor recommends the intake of such foods that increase the potassium level in the body.
Final words
Potassium is considered one of the essential minerals for the human body. Beans, dried fruits & other plant-based foods are good sources of potassium. This particular mineral is known for maintaining kidney health, and bone density; helps in managing blood pressure levels and the cardiovascular system.
For individuals suffering from kidney disease, a high intake of potassium is not at all recommended. For kidney patients, it is the doctor who advises the intake of potassium. The best way through which one can have potassium is by following a balanced diet.
If you ever have any concerns with your potassium level, then you must not delay and talk with a doctor. You can also Try Here on the online portals to fix an appointment with an experienced doctor and avail consultation.