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
-
High cholesterol intake generally increases the serum levels of total (X) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). If dietary fat is...
-
Sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum Linn.), pertaining to the Poaceae family, has been harvested worldwide for its economical and medicinal v...
-
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring red pigment belonging to the carotenoid family, a group of compounds responsible for many of the bright...
-
Linolenic acid is the primary member of the omega-3 fatty acid family. Linolenic acid has 18 carbons, two cis double bonds and is an w-6 fat...
-
The most important components in fruit can be group as follows: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. The primary p...
