Does your heart regularly skip a beat? Do your muscles cramp up
often? Is your thinking slower than it used to be?
If any of these sounds like you, this could be because you have lower-than-normal levels
of potassium in your body. The medical name for this condition is hypokalemia.
A full 98% of the potassium in your body is found in your cells-and for good reason!
Potassium is an electrolyte-this means it helps carry electrical signals to cells in
your body. Your body uses this electricity to keep fluid balance, transmit nerve signals,
and contract muscle cells, particularly the heart muscle cells. Potassium helps your heartbeat stay
regular, your kidneys function properly and stop your sodium levels from spiking too high.
Potassium deficiency is more common than you think.
Studies show that 9 out of 10 Americans—that’s upwards of 290 million people—are only getting
about half the 4.7 grams of this essential mineral they need each day.
The normal range for blood potassium is between 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/L. Below this level,
hypokalemia occurs. Very low levels of potassium in the body (less than
2.5 mmol/L) can lead to irregular heart rhythms and trigger cardiac arrest—which can be deadly.
So, what causes a potassium deficiency,
and what are the symptoms that warn you of low potassium? How can you restore your
potassium? This is exactly what we'll talk about in the rest of this video.
First, let’s look at what causes hypokalemia.
A potassium deficiency is rarely caused by a low intake of fruits and vegetables alone.
The most common cause of low potassium is excessive loss through urine. This happens
in people who take prescription medications called diuretics or water pills, which make them urinate
more often. These medications are often prescribed for high blood pressure or heart disease.
Another reason is the excessive loss of potassium in your digestive
tract. This may be due to frequent vomiting, diarrhea, or laxative use.
Other physical conditions that contribute to potassium loss include:
Eating disorders such as bulimia.
Excessive sweating.
Chronic Kidney Disease.
Other medications such as insulin and antibiotics.
Excessive alcohol use.
Low magnesium levels.
Next, what are the symptoms of hypokalemia?
Often, the symptoms of low potassium are easily overlooked, until they become serious.
Let’s begin with our Number 10. “High Blood Pressure”.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be caused by excess weight, genetics,
or eating a lot of processed foods that are high in sodium. Maintaining
healthy blood pressure requires the perfect balance of electrolytes.
Potassium and sodium are electrolytes that work inversely in the body. When you eat potassium-rich
foods, your kidneys get rid of excess sodium through urine. If your cells don’t have enough
potassium, the kidneys reabsorb sodium back into the blood vessels, and your body holds on to more
water. Extra water in your blood means there is extra pressure on your blood vessel walls, and
this raises your blood pressure. Potassium helps to widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Coming up next, Number 9 is “Irregular Heartbeat”.
For most people, heart palpitations or a skipped heartbeat now and then are not a big deal.
But if you have low potassium levels, this can cause cardiac arrhythmias or
an irregular heartbeat, especially for people who are at risk of heart disease.
This is because low potassium levels change the flow of potassium in and out of heart
cells. As a result, electrical signals that control your heartbeat don’t work properly,
and your heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly. If you notice
any changes to your heart rate, seek medical attention right away.
Next up, we have Number 8. “Muscle Weakness and Cramps”.
If you often experience painful cramps in your legs, a lack of potassium could be to
blame. This is because you lose electrolytes, including potassium, after an intense workout.
Potassium is important for muscles because it helps relay signals from your brain to make them
contract. It also helps end these contractions by leaving the muscle cells. When blood potassium
levels are low, your brain cannot relay these signals as effectively. This can be a problem
for athletes because it can lead to reduced blood flow and problems with the muscles contracting.
Cramps are unlikely with mild or moderate hypokalemia,
but they may occur if potassium levels drop below 2.5 mmol/L. Therefore,
it’s recommended to take electrolytes before, during, and after vigorous exercise.
Our Number 7 is “Weakness and Fatigue.”
A lack of potassium can lead to weakness and fatigue for two reasons.
First, potassium helps regulate muscle contractions. When blood potassium levels
are low, your muscles produce weaker contractions.
Second, low potassium also causes your body to release less insulin. This leads to high
blood sugar levels, which means less sugar is converted by your cells into energy.
Many factors can make you feel weak, which makes it hard to pinpoint low
potassium as the cause. However, if you’re feeling exhausted after
working out and getting enough sleep, low potassium levels might be the cause.
Coming up, Number 6 is “Digestive Issues”. Low levels of potassium can cause constipation.
Potassium helps relay signals from your brain to the muscles in your digestive tract so they can
contract and propel food along. When potassium levels drop, the contractions become weaker and
the churning of food slows down. If potassium levels drop too low, the intestines may stop
moving and this can cause nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, bloating, and abdominal pain.
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Next on the list is Number 5, “Frequent Urination”.
Low potassium levels may prevent your kidneys from concentrating urine and
keeping electrolyte levels balanced. This can lead to excessive urination
(polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia). Excessive urination may lead to lower potassium
levels. Seek medical attention if your frequency of urination changes suddenly.
Next up, Number 4 is “Tingling and Numbness”.
Low potassium levels can weaken nerve signals and lead to tingling and numbness in the hands,
arms, legs, and feet. This condition is called paresthesia.
When you sit in an uncomfortable position, this may cause tingling and numbness—and is no cause
for concern. However, when these symptoms persist, it’s time to seek medical attention.
Getting into our top 3, Number 3 is “Breathing Difficulties”.
If your blood potassium levels are severely low, it can cause shortness of breath by
restricting the expansion and contraction of your lungs. This is because potassium is vital
for sending the right signals to the lungs so they know when to contract and expand.
One study found that people with low blood potassium levels or high blood potassium
levels (hyperkalemia) were at a much higher risk of respiratory failure and needing a
ventilator in the hospital, compared to people who had healthy potassium levels.
As mentioned earlier, low potassium levels can cause an irregular heartbeat because of faulty
electrical signals in the lower heart chambers. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to
the rest of the body. Less blood means less oxygen delivered and this may cause shortness of breath.
Number 2 is “Brain Fog and Mood Swings.” When potassium levels are low,
the neurons in your brain cannot fire electrical signals rapidly. This results in confusion,
forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating.
A lack of potassium can reduce blood circulation and disrupt
hormone production. This includes the mood-regulating hormone, serotonin.
A potassium deficiency may manifest through severe changes in mood and behavior,
such as increased depression, anxiety, or irritability.
And at Number 1, we have “Kidney Stones”.
It is estimated that over 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone in their lives.
If you develop kidney stones, they may be a sign of low potassium.
In one study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1993,
men who took in less than 2.9 grams of potassium daily were twice as likely
to develop kidney stones as those who took in over 4 grams of potassium daily.
Kidney stones are hard masses of minerals and other substances that form crystals inside your
kidneys. These small stones are most commonly made up of calcium and oxalate. When these stones
become lodged in the urinary tract and block the flow of urine, they can cause excruciating pain.
Potassium helps your kidneys flush excess calcium through your urine.
If you don’t get enough potassium in your diet, this can cause the masses to form.
Next, how do you get more potassium? The best way to replenish potassium
is to add fruits and vegetables to each meal. This includes bananas, but there are plenty of
other foods that contain potassium. You can find it in whole foods like leafy greens,
tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, avocado, pumpkins, potatoes, carrots,
raisins, beans, dairy products like milk and yogurt, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts.
Your doctor may prescribe supplements if you have a medical condition or are taking specific
medications. If you decide to supplement with potassium on your own, talk to your doctor first.
As always, this video is educational and does not constitute medical advice; we are not doctors.
I hope you enjoyed this video. And now over to you. Do you have symptoms of low potassium?
Let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you.
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