Potassium ions are essential for the human body and are also present in plants. Our body contains approximately 2.6 g of potassium per kg of our body weight, and performs many biological functions including:
*Potassium is an obligatory component of all cells hence, the greater the number of cells the more is the increase in potassium. Its levels are controlled by the kidneys. Primarily, potassium functions to regulate water and mineral balance throughout the body.
*Potassium is required for the maintenance of osmotic pressure and fluid balance within the cells.
*Potassium is required for enzymatic reactions which take place within the cell. Some potassium is bound to phosphate in the process of formation of glucose to glycogen. It is required for insulin secretion, creatine phosphorylation, carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis. The ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium is the major determinant of muscular and neuronal excitability and if this balance is disturbed, various pathological states can develop.
*The small concentration of potassium in the ECF, it is required to transmit nerve impulse to muscle fibers, along other ions. Potassium ions are crucial for the functioning of neurons, by influencing the osmotic balance between cells and the interstitial fluid.
Include in a diet plan, lean meats such as salmon and other fish, chicken, and turkey—each provide over 400 milligrams of potassium for every 3 ounce portion.
Roles of potassium in human body
Nutrition is a scientific discipline that encompasses a structured body of knowledge. It includes various fields such as clinical nutrition, community nutrition, public health, food policy, and food science. At its core, nutrition is the study of how the body utilizes food. It is essential to life. Understanding nutrition enables us to make better dietary choices by determining the necessary nutrient intake, identifying optimal food sources, and recognizing beneficial or harmful food components.
Popular articles
-
It was discovered in 1922 in vegetable oil given the name ‘tocopherol’. Vitamin E, of which there are four different forms, is fat soluble. ...
-
The importance of iodine as an essential element arises from the fact that it is a constituent of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodo...
-
During digestion, large molecules of proteins are broken down into simpler units called amino acids. Amino acids are necessary for the synth...
-
Carbohydrate are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and they may be simple or complex molecules. Historically, the te...
-
Blood sodium concentration sometimes can drop too low, usually as a result of severe diarrhea, vomiting or intense prolonged sweating with r...
