POTASSIUM (K+)

By: Pregnant and Lactating group

 OUTLINE OF TOPICS

01 02 03

DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS UTILIZATION

04 05
FOOD SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF DEFICIENCY AND
RECOMMENDED NUTRIENT EXCESS
INTAKE
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution
🍂 The chemical symbol for potassium is K (due to its Latin name

Kalium) and so as not to confuse it with vitamin K, it is better to

add the superscript +, which is its cation form.

🍂 Potassium is the principal cation present within the cells.

🍂 It is also present in relatively small amount in the extracellular

fluid.
FUNCTIONS
Functions
❖ Being the major component of the intracellular fluid, it exerts an influence
upon acid-base balance
❖ Potassium acts as a muscle relaxant in contrast to calcium which stimulates
muscular contraction
❖ It is also important for carbohydrate and protein metabolism
❖ It is needed for the release of insulin from the pancreatic cells
❖ Potassium levels in the body have been used to determine lean body mass
❖ Potassium maintains fluid and electrolyte balance
❖ A potassium intake equal or greater than sodium intake may prevent the
development of hypertension
UTILIZATION
 UTILIZATION
Potassium excretion is
Potassium is The
increased whenever
the tissues are losing absorbed in the maintenance
potassium. small intestine of potassium
If the level of level in the
potassium in the blood
serum is vital
increases to a very high The level of potassium in
level, muscular the serum is 16-20 to the heart
coordination is
mg/100mL muscle
disturbed.
 FOOD SOURCES AND
RECOMMENDED NUTRIENT
INTAKE
 FOOD SOURCES
❑ Nuts ❑ Raw and dried fruits
❑ Meat ❑ Fruit juices People who eat
❑ Legumes ❑ Dark green large amounts
❑ Milk vegetables
❑ Unrefined cereals of fruits and
❑ Cooked dry beans
❑ Bananas ❑ Cantaloupe vegetables have
❑ Plantains ❑ Honeydew melons
a high
❑ Oranges and orange ❑ Sweet potatoes
juice ❑ Tomato products potassium
intake (8-11
grams/day)
EFFECTS OF DEFECIENCY
AND EXCESS
HYPOKALEMIA (low serum potassium)

• results when there is Symptoms attributable to potassium

deficiency include:
malnutrition, prolonged Apathy
gastrointestinal loss of Muscular weakness
potassium as in prolonged Mental confusion
Abdominal distention
vomiting, chronic diarrhea Nausea
or gastric suction, or Lack of appetite
diabetic acidosis. Nervous irritability
Cardiac irregularities
HYPERKALEMIA (elevated serum potassium)

● occurs when the kidney The toxicity causes:

fails to excrete properly
the potassium resulting
in toxic levels
Weakening of heart action
Mental confusion
Poor respiration
Numbness of extremities
Thank you!