Potassium (K) is considered to be a soft slivery white metal that is essential for all living things. This mineral is an electrolyte (a substance that conducts electricity in the body along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium). Potassium plays a vital role in heart function as well as in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction. To have the proper balance of potassium in the body depends on sodium. If a person consumes too much sodium it can reduce the amount of storage for potassium. In addition to this, enough magnesium is needed to help maintain the normal level of potassium in the body. If not two types of conditions can occur: hyperkalemia: too much potassium is in the blood, and hypokalemia: too little potassium is in the blood. Potassium is known to work with sodium to help maintain the body's water balance; with a increase in potassium this may increase the amount of sodium excreted from the body. With this in mind, kidneys help regulate the level of potassium in the body.
References:
1. Anderson, J., Young, L., and Long, E. Potassium and Health. Colorado State University. August 2008. 25 January 2011. <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09355.html>.
2. Function of Potassium in the body. Hubpages. 24 January 2011. <http://hubpages.com/hub/Function_of_Potassium_in_the_Body>.
3. Potassium. University of Maryland Medical Center. 24 January 2011. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/potassium-000320.htm>.
