Studies suggest that Potassium may:

• Helps Control the bodys water balance
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Prevents bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis
• Lowers risk of stroke
• Helps keep normal kidney function

What is Potassium and what does it do?

Potassium is a mineral that helps the kidneys function normally. It also plays a key role in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle contraction, making it an important nutrient for normal heart, digestive, and muscular function. A diet high in potassium from fruits, vegetables, and legumes is generally recommended for optimum heart health.

Potassium plays an integral role in the human body in controlling the water balance of the body. It works in conjunction with sodium in order to keep water levels in the body consistent. Potassium is also necessary for proper functioning of nerve impulses and the contraction of all muscle in the human body and also helps to maintain a regular, normal heart rhythm. Potassiums other essential function in the human body is to store carbohydrates, which then are broken down for energy.

The dietary sources for potassium are vast and varied. However, the absolute best source of dietary potassium can be found in the consumption of green leafy vegetables. Other excellent sources are bananas and oranges. Along with those fruits, potassium can be found in good amounts in vegetables such as potatoes and beans. Milk products are also rich in this mineral, as are most lean meats. However, potassium levels in foods are often decreased due to the processing methods of most manufactured food products.

Why take Potassium?

Osteoporosis: High dietary intake of potassium from fruits and vegetables throughout one\'s life helps to preserve bone mass thereby preventing bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis.

High Blood Pressure: Some studies have linked low dietary potassium intake with high blood pressure. It is recommended that adequate amounts of potassium in the diet, along with other measures such as dietary calcium and weight loss, to prevent the development of high blood pressure.

Stroke: In several population based studies evaluating very large groups of men and women over time, a diet rich in potassium was associated with a reduced risk of stroke. For the men, this seems to be particularly true among those with high blood pressure and/or those taking diuretics.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Amongst other nutrient deficiencies, people with IBD (namely, ulcerative colitis or Crohn\'s disease) often have low levels of potassium.

Asthma: Several studies have suggested that diets low in potassium are associated with poor lung function and even asthma in children compared to those who eat normal amounts of potassium.