Potassium content in the human body

There are various trace elements in the human body, which are necessary elements to maintain normal human activities. If the human body lacks trace elements, it will cause many uncomfortable symptoms. Potassium is one of the essential trace elements for the human body. If the human body lacks potassium, the limbs will become weak. Severe potassium deficiency may even cause people to have to stay in bed. So, how much potassium is in the human body?

The potassium content in normal human blood should be between 3.5-5.5mmol/l.

Symptoms of high potassium

Arrhythmias

If the potassium content in the body is too high, in addition to causing physical weakness, it can also inhibit myocardial contraction, cause arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, irritability, etc., which is dangerous.

Muscle paralysis

Early symptoms of too much potassium in the body include weakness in the limbs, numbness around the mouth, feeling weak when pale, extreme fatigue, and muscle aches. When the potassium level reaches 7mmol/L, the limbs will become numb and limp, affecting the limbs first, then the respiratory muscles, and in severe cases even causing suffocation.

Digestive system

Excessive potassium levels can not only cause muscle paralysis, but also affect gastrointestinal function. The potassium ion content near the stomach and intestines can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in the human body, and in severe cases, intestinal paralysis can occur.

Affects acid-base balance

Excessive potassium in the body can directly cause the human body to suffer from hyperkalemia. At this time, the activity of the sodium pump is enhanced, ions inside and outside the cells move autonomously, and the exchange ratio of sodium and potassium exceeds that of hydrogen and sodium, resulting in hyperkalemia, extracellular poisoning, decreased intracellular sodium concentration and alkali poisoning.

Ways to reduce or prevent high potassium levels

Reduce intake

To prevent or reduce the impact of potassium content, you can stop taking potassium-containing medications and eat less potassium-containing vegetables and fruits, such as bananas.

Potassium excretion

You can go to the hospital for intravenous injection of 10% glucose, insulin drip, etc. to promote the transfer of potassium ions to cells. Catharsis, peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis to excrete potassium.

The role of potassium in the human body

Potassium ranks third among trace elements in the human body, with calcium and phosphorus ranking first and second respectively. The content of potassium is twice that of sodium in the body.

Maintain cell permeability

The permeability inside and outside the cells must be kept in balance so as not to affect the imbalance of water inside and outside the cells, thereby ensuring the body's normal metabolism. Potassium is a cation that can effectively maintain the osmotic pressure balance inside and outside the cell. Together with sodium ions, it can ensure the balance of potassium and sodium in the internal and external fluids.

Good for the heart nerves

The sodium element in the body is involved in the metabolism of sugar and protein in cells. The potassium element located near the heart plays a maintaining role inside and outside the myocardial cells, and can effectively maintain the autonomy, excitement, and conduction of the heart muscles. It increases the excitability of the myocardium. A lack of potassium will cause poor cardiac conductivity. Therefore, potassium is helpful for regular heartbeat and nerve health.

Helps lower blood pressure

Potassium has a blood pressure-lowering effect when high sodium intake causes high blood pressure. This is because potassium can activate and maintain the sodium pump, thereby dilating blood vessels and reducing the sensitivity of sympathetic nerves to norepinephrine, which causes a blood pressure increase response.

Maintain protein metabolism

Potassium ions are necessary to complete the process of glycogen synthesis and protein synthesis in cells. The synthesis of one gram of glycogen requires 24 mg of potassium, and the synthesis of about 16 grams of protein requires 120 mg of potassium.

Maintain normal muscles and prevent stroke

Potassium works with sodium to produce energy and maintain normal levels inside and outside cells, working together to allow nerve impulses to be transmitted. When potassium is too low, membrane potential increases and neuromuscular relaxation occurs.