Potassium K

Atomic Number: 19
Atomic Weight: 39.09

Human Physiology:

• Essential to nerve and heart function
• Normalizes water and acid-base balance in the body
• Necessary for energy release from food
• Potassium levels tend to decrease after menopause
• RDA: 2-5 G/Day

Prevalence:

• 1.5% of the earth's crust
• 7th most abundant element

Source:

• Beans, peas
• Grains, nuts
• Fruits, particularly bananas
• Milk
• Molasses
• Beef
• Some vegetables

Deficiency:

• Increased blood pressure
• Congestive heart failure
• Potentially fatal heart arrhythmias, palpitations
• Muscle weakness
• Migraines
• Hyperthyroidism
• Mental apathy and depression
• Impotence
• Fatigue

Excess:

• Renal disease
• Addison's disease
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Heart dysrhythmias