Symptoms that reveal a lack of potassium in your body, the mineral that takes care of your muscles and heart
Exercise and good nutrition are fundamental pillars for maintaining a healthy energy level. Photo: iStock
Potassium is one of the essential minerals for humans. It helps regulate various bodily functions, ensuring proper nerve, muscle, and heart function. A lack of this mineral manifests itself in various symptoms, which are often confused with other conditions.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains that this mineral is also a type of electrolyte, as it helps transport energy throughout the body. Maintaining adequate potassium levels in the body helps nutrients flow to cells and expel waste from them, and also regulates blood pressure.
Consuming this mineral helps regulate various bodily functions. Photo: iStock
Potassium is obtained mainly from the daily diet, but if it is not balanced, a deficiency of this mineral can occur, which can cause effects on several body systems , mainly the muscular and circulatory systems.
However, it's very common to experience a lack of necessary nutrients in our daily diet. The body manifests symptoms of these deficiencies in different ways , so they can be confused with other conditions or common fatigue.
Diet isn't the only cause of mineral deficiencies. People who regularly take medications for kidney disease, genetic disorders, or blood pressure problems may experience a mineral imbalance.
Consuming this mineral helps regulate various bodily functions. Photo: iStock
The Mayo Clinic explains that adequate potassium levels should be between 3.7 and 5.2 milliequivalents per liter (mEg/L) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L). When potassium levels fall below these levels, the body begins to react.
As mentioned above, potassium is the mineral responsible for muscle contractions and proper heart function . When a potassium deficiency occurs, the main symptoms can include fatigue, numbness, cramps, pain, or contractions in the digestive system.
Likewise, in other people, low potassium levels often manifest themselves in minor symptoms such as constipation, tingling and numbness, muscle pain, spasms, or weakness. Some experts indicate that low potassium levels can manifest as mood swings or mental fatigue.
ALEJANDRA HERNÁNDEZ TORRES
DIGITAL REACH EDITORIAL
Follow all the Culture news on Facebook and X , or in our weekly newsletter .
eltiempo
