Potassium deficiency: The hidden dietary crisis affecting millions
A potassium deficiency is associated with many unpleasant consequences. What symptoms should concern us? And how can we "catch up" on this mineral? Dr. Bartek Kulczyński, a food technologist and diet therapy specialist, recently addressed this topic. It's worth knowing!
1:41 PM EDT, July 19, 2024
The data on potassium deficiency in the diet is not encouraging. According to research, only 14 percent of the population consumes this essential element in the amounts recommended by doctors. Furthermore, this dietary deficiency is significant. As the doctor explained on his YouTube channel, we consume only about half of the potassium our bodies need on average. No wonder the body begins to react drastically to this deficiency.
Consequences of potassium deficiency
Such neglect is associated with numerous consequences, as explained by Dr. Kulczyński. The first symptoms of potassium deficiency are usually muscle weakness, skin numbness, and a noticeably irregular heart rhythm. However, the potential health risks do not end there. The dietitian mentioned, among other things:
- The possibility of delaying or interrupting the transmission of signals between nerves and muscles
- Increased fatigue resulting from disturbed glucose metabolism
- Sleep disturbances
- The formation of kidney stones
- High blood pressure
- Breathing problems
Potassium in the diet. Time to catch up!
As you can see, it's worth ensuring adequate potassium in your diet. Which foods contain the most of this essential element? The doctor also discussed this. He indicated that we should first pay attention to consuming appropriate amounts of vegetables and fruits: pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, beets, bananas, apricots, kiwis, and avocados.
It is also worth diversifying your diet with other potassium-rich foods. This mineral can be found in mushrooms, such as chanterelles and oyster mushrooms, as well as in white beans and buckwheat groats. However, food is not everything. As Dr. Kulczyński noted, potassium is also an essential component of, among other things, cocoa and coconut water. It's good to remember this — after all, it's not just about being healthy, but also about enjoying your food.
