The mineral nutrient potassium has a lot of tasks to fulfil within the body. So potassium is needed for the impulse transmission from the nerve to the muscle and for the contraction of muscles and only with potassium can sugar be piloted out of the blood. Potassium regulates the water balance and adjusts the acid-base balance.

It builds up the body’s own protein and activates a lot of enzymes. The hormones insulin and cortisone as well as the stomach acids are made available to the body under its direction.

There are many reasons for a lack of potassium. The body reacts extraordinarily to malnutrition, alcoholism or anorexia. Loss of potassium must also be accepted when doing sports (sweating), in the sauna, working hard physically, in case of vomiting as well as in case of diarrhoea. If the body remains unsupplied by potassium, it reacts very sensitively. A loss of appetite, sickness and constipation. If those signals go unnoticed, the heart reacts with rhythm disturbance and weakness of the muscles may be indicated.
In order to prevent a lack of potassium, vegetables, as well as fruit, fruit juices, nuts, mushrooms and wholemeal products are essential.
Source: Dr. Volker Schmiedel, “Fit und gesund mit Vitalstoffen“ (Fit and Healthy with Essential Nutritional Substances), by Gräfe und Unzer, Munich