What is potassium?

Related to cell metabolism \ x0d \ x0d \ A certain concentration of potassium maintains the activity of some enzymes in cells, especially in the process of sugar metabolism, there must be a certain amount of potassium deposition in the formation of glycogen, and the rise and fall of sugar and lactic acid in blood have a parallel trend with potassium. \x0d\\x0d\ Regulating osmotic pressure and acid-base balance \x0d\\x0d\ The main function of maintaining this function is also in tissues, cells and red blood cells. Potassium cooperates with extracellular sodium to maintain the water balance between cells and body fluids. Maintain proper pH in the body and avoid acidic constitution. The content of potassium in human body is twice as high as sodium. If there is too much sodium in the body, the osmotic pressure will change. In order to maintain a certain osmotic pressure, the human body will absorb a lot of water and increase the whole blood volume, thus overloading the heart and inducing or aggravating the symptoms of heart failure. Excessive sodium will also raise blood pressure and accelerate the hardening process of renal arterioles. Therefore, whether it is hypertension or heart disease, we must control the intake of salt in our diet. Excessive sodium content will lead to potassium deficiency and osmotic pressure can not be maintained. \x0d\\x0d\ Maintaining the normal excitation function of neuromuscular system \ x0d \ \ Potassium can effectively use protein to repair damaged tissues, and can also stimulate the central nervous system to emit nerve impulses needed by muscles. If the potassium is too high, the neuromuscular is highly excited; If potassium is too low, you will be paralyzed. \x0d\\x0d\ Maintains the normal function of myocardium \x0d\\x0d\ Potassium buffering system in red blood cells, mainly hemoglobin potassium, potassium carbonate and potassium phosphate, and potassium-calcium balance also plays a significant role in myocardial contraction. \x0d\\x0d\ Anti-cancer effect \x0d\\x0d\ Nutritionists have found that improper proportion of sodium and potassium in the body can cause cancer. Increasing the content of potassium and reducing the content of sodium in human cells can reduce the possibility of normal cell variation and even make the cancer cells disappear. Cytological studies have found that the content of potassium in normal cells is 10 times that of sodium, but with the increase of age, the potassium contained in the body is easily separated from the cell membrane, resulting in a relatively high proportion of sodium in cells, which is suitable for cancer cell reproduction. This also explains one of the main reasons for the increased risk of cancer in the elderly. Laboratory studies have also found that if potassium is added to the culture medium, some cancer cells will become normal cells. \ x0d \ x0d \ Heikki Karppanen, a medical professor, recently reported that the ratio of potassium to sodium reflects the information of cell division in the body. For example, the proportion of potassium content in cancer cells is significantly lower than that in normal cells. The high incidence of cancer in modern people is closely related to the low potassium content and high sodium content in human body. Karppanen believes: "If there is a lot of potassium in the diet of cancer patients, such as vegetables and fruits, it will help to restore the balance of potassium and sodium, thus inhibiting the further deterioration of the disease." \ x0d \ x0d \ Protect and repair skin \ x0d \ x0d \ Potassium also participates in cell metabolism and enzymatic reaction, which contributes to skin health. Other functions of potassium \ x0d \ x0d \ Lack of potassium can cause some bad changes in the body. Hypokalemia increases myocardial stress; Under the condition of potassium deficiency, patients with heart failure have low tolerance to digitalis, and atrial and ventricular ectopic rhythms are easy to appear during the medication. Potassium salt has a significant effect on the ectopic arrhythmia caused by it. \ x0d \ x0d \ When the blood potassium is lower than 3.5 mg/L, the clinical manifestations are bitter taste, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, apathy, weakness, tendon reflex decline or even disappearance. \x0d\\x0d\ Acute severe hypokalemia can lead to coma, convulsion or flaccid paralysis of limbs in different degrees. In severe cases, respiratory muscle paralysis may lead to "fish mouth breathing", which may lead to death. \ x0d \ x0d \ In addition to diet, diarrhea, vomiting, stress, excessive intake of salt, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisone, diuretics and other drugs can also cause potassium deficiency. Taking aspirin or other drugs, or drinking too much water or alcohol will cause a lot of potassium to be lost to urine.