Potassium was first discovered from potash (or pot ashes), in 1807. Ubiquitous within natural fresh foods, potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte required to maintain normal body functions. It is tightly regulated both inside and outside of cells, alongside its counterpart, sodium. Largely responsible for maintaining an appropriate water balance within the cells, potassium plays an essential role within nerve conduction, muscle contraction and blood pressure maintenance. It assists in maintaining a regular heartbeat.
Ideally, dietary potassium intake should outweigh sodium intake for optimal health. A potassium-rich dietary intake has been positively associated with improved health outcomes. It has been found that with increased consumption of processed food may be leading to an imbalance between sodium to potassium ratios.
The recommended daily intake of potassium is 72 mmol for women and 100 mmol for men.
Food sources of potassium include apricots, avocados, bananas, dairy, eggplant, green leafy vegetables, legumes, mango, oranges, papaya, tomatoes, cucumbers, potato, pumpkin, prunes, squash, sweet potato, zucchini, wild yams.
Key Indications:
To maintain healthy bones
To support healthy water and electrolyte balance within cells
To assist in maintaining a healthy balance of acid to alkali within the body
Contributes to normal growth and development in children
To maintain kidney health
To maintain healthy cardiovascular function
To maintain healthy blood pressure
To support healthy functioning of the nervous system
