Functions of Potassium

Functions of Potassium

Regulation of pressure between the inside and outside of cells. With inadequate potassium, cellular wastes are not efficiently transported into the extracellular spaces and carried away. Toxic material is left to accumulate in the cell can cause premature cell death.
Conversion of blood sugar into glycogen for storage in the liver and muscles. Inadequate glycogen storage leads to physical and mental fatigue.
Maintaining proper pH balance of blood.
Maintaining proper body water balance
Stimulating insulin production
Maintaining digestive enzyme function and efficiency
Maintaining optimal nerve and muscle function
Relaxing muscle contraction in balance to calcium, which induces contraction.
Elderly individuals are more likely to be deficient in potassium. So are those taking certain cardiac drugs, diabetics, those with Cushing's disease, and those who use too much caffeine or have liver disease.

Potassium loss is increased by excessive fluid loss from sweating, urination (diuretics), diarrhea (laxatives) or the use of aspirin and some other drugs.

Licorice root used in in large quantities will increase the excretion of potassium. If licorice needs to be used for a long time, consider deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) or potassium supplements.