hormonal and metabolic disorders
Overview of Potassium's Role in the Body
Introduction
Potassium is one of the body's electrolytes, which are Overview of Minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood. (See also Most of the body’s potassium is located inside the cells. Overview of Electrolytes is necessary for the normal functioning of cells, nerves, and muscles. The body must maintain the potassium level in blood within a narrow range. A blood potassium level that is too high ( Hyperkalemia (High Level of Potassium in the Blood) ) or too low ( Potassium was originally called kalium, so disorders involving potassium often have"kal" in their names. The body maintains the right level of potassium by matching the amount of potassium consumed with the amount lost. Potassium is consumed in food and drinks that contain electrolytes (including potassium) and lost primarily in urine. Some potassium is also lost through the digestive tract and in sweat. Healthy kidneys can adjust the excretion of potassium to match changes in consumption. Some medications and certain conditions affect the movement of potassium into and out of cells, which greatly influences the potassium level in blood. 