
Potassium is the most common mineral in our cellular fluid, and it helps to ensure proper contraction of our skeletal and cardiac muscle as well as nerve transmission. So its a sure sign that you have problems with potassium is your suffering twitches, tingling and/or cramps. This week I've tested 4 people that show signs of low potassium (or an inability to absorb it).As mentioned above, potassium is responsible for a lot of bodily functions but non more so (for this article) than nerve transmission, cardiac muscle contraction and skeletal muscle contraction. I've spoke about it before in relation to "arm pump" (severe arm crap that motorcycle riders suffer from in competition), I've also included Bananaman in a post before which is worrying.
Potassium works with sodium and calcium (a post on this soon) to signal what needs to happen and when it needs to happen. It does many things but key is its ability to maintain acid-base balance which is why I always check it in my clients.
- Symptoms include;
- tiredness
- itching
- muscular (twitching, tingling and muscle cramps)
- cognitive impairment
- cardiac arrhythmia
- extreme fatigue
- excessive thirst
- respiratory distress
Theirs a fair few of them symptoms which are seen in the annual Scott Time & Observation trial that I usually compete in. However, I also see a lot of these in day to day clients that have just depleted themselves overtime.
Its simply not as easy as eating more potassium containing foods like;
- bananas
- citrus fruits
- apricots
- avocados
- brown rice
You may have a genuine problem absorbing or using potassium and may need to factor in other things to assist the uptake of potassium into your body.