Potassium, the Vital Mineral for Human Health

We are living in the age of machines and technology. We are surrounded by several time saving gadgets that suit our life style. We are depending on gadgets like mixer grinder, fans, washing machines, air conditioners, T.V, Play station, cell phones etc to make our lives comfortable and joyful. Our roads are flooded with imported and posh cars, auto rickshaws, cool cabs, scooters and speedy bikes. We no longer see anybody walking or cycling on the road for their working place because life  has become fast paced and time is short.

Modern life style has no doubt made our living comfortable. Many are working round the clock sitting before their computers. People are very busy and we do not have time to sleep, or eat or enjoy. Leisure time activities are either surfing the net or playing computer games. Physical activities like walking, jogging, playing, cycling have disappeared. They are unable to eat freshly prepared and cooked food. They are forced consume fast foods that are loaded with calories and toxins.

Modern life style has made people addicted to alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Young ladies are consuming diet pills and fad diets and try to shed unwanted weight. This has resulted in malfunctioning of thyroid glands and other health related problems. Modern youth are consuming more vitamin pills than nutritious food!! As a result they are malnourished and are obese. On the one side nation’s economy is getting inflated and on the other side the health our population has deflated.

Work and job has become the center of our life. For many, there is no time for social gathering, or meeting of friends or relatives. This has caused a vacuum in the life of many individuals and they are overly stressed. Therefore, there is no quality of life. Several life style diseases like diabetes, heart defects, obesity etc have attacked the population due to sedentary life style and unhealthy food habits. Body resistance to diseases has taken the back seat. Immunity of the body against diseases is very low.

It is very difficult to go back twenty years because science and technology will not permit us to do so. But we have to take the same knowledge of science in our hands to rescue us from this crucial and critical situation. We also have to patiently find the nutritive values of various food items. We have to device new techniques of cooking, innovate quick cooking methods to suit modern life style that is fast paced. It is also absolutely necessary to concentrate on the calorific values and nutritive values of the food items that we eat.

What ensures disease free life in this modern life style?

We have to eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life. This removes stress from our lives. In addition to this we have to pay attention to the diet we are eating every day.  A mineral rich diet is the need of the hour. The most important mineral is the element Potassium. It is one of the vital elements required by the human beings as it is found in our body. This mineral ensures good health. It contains the qualities for maintaining a high level of human well-being and a cheerful lifestyle. 

Potassium is a very important mineral required for the proper functioning of cells, tissues and organs. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in our body along with sodium chloride. This mineral is required for keeping the three vital organs viz, heart, brain and the kidneys in good condition.  It is also important for regulating the activities of muscles and nerves. The vital functions of potassium in the human body are:

• Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining the various functions of brain like coordinating, commanding, controlling all the body activities. Increased level of potassium improves memory and learning. Potassium prevents stroke, paralysis, memory loss or amnesia and brain death.
• Potassium maintains blood sugar level. Decrease in the sugar level causes serious problems like sweating, headache, nervousness and weakness. Intake of potassium chloride helps us to overcome the situation.
• Right amount of potassium is required for muscle contraction, relaxation and nerve transmission. Potassium helps in converting glucose into glycogen, a substance required for movement and effective functioning of muscles. It ensures proper growth of muscles. Muscular cramps are due to low level of potassium.
• Potassium maintains blood pressure, pulse rate, heart beat of our body. It is a vital component of the blood that prevents heart diseases and hypertension. Hence, potassium determines the health of our heart.
• Potassium is a stress buster and ensures effective performance of our body. People having low potassium levels in their blood experience unnecessary and unwanted anxiety in their life. Potassium is a vital micro nutrient to lead a calm life.
• Potassium is essential nutrient in various metabolic processes like synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. It also plays a vital role in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugars and fats into glycogen.
• Potassium maintains normal water balance. Different types of cells require water in different percentage. Potassium aids maintaining proper water balance in cells and tissues. It also helps in regulating the level of fluids in human body and thus helps the body to perform a number of critical body functions.
• Potassium helps kidneys to remove wastes, lungs to remove carbon-di-oxide. If these wastes are accumulated in the body, the body becomes the host of large  number of diseases.
• Our body needs both acidic and alkaline foods in equal quantities to maintain proper health. Potassium helps in maintaining acid- alkali (pH) balance and promotes proper functioning of various metabolic activities.
• Potassium plays a vital role in preventing diabetes, a present day life style disease and maintains sugar level of the blood.
• Potassium helps in strengthening our bones and prevents osteo-arthritis, a degenerative joint disease that occurs in the middle age.
• Potassium also helps in proper functioning of various glands and hormones.
• Potassium acts as a propellant in strengthening our immune system so that our body can bravely put up a fight against disease causing germs.
• Potassium is an anti- ageing element. Diseases associated with the aged like cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, paralysis, neurodegeneration, hypertension, cataract, arthritis, cancer and graying of hair etc. can be prevented. Physical debility or weakness will not be felt.    

Food sources rich in Potassium:

Vegetable sources: Raw bananas, spinach, potatoes, beats, sweet potatoes.

Fruit sources: Apricots, avocados, ripe bananas, tomatoes, oranges, melons.

Dry fruits: Dry roasted peanuts without salt, almond, raisins, figs, dry dates.

Dairy products: Yogurt and skimmed milk.

Regular inclusion of these foods in the diet will ward off the deficiencies caused by lack of potassium. Potassium rich foods also promote growth, vitality and proper functioning of important organs and organ systems.

Man of the present day is living amidst so many political, social, ecological and environmental disorders. He experiences mental unrest and physical trauma very often. He faces tough competition in his environment and he has to fight for his survival.  He comes across several challenging situations which his father or grandfather would not have faced. So it is very important that maintaining proper health is his prime duty, otherwise it is not possible to keep the mind strong and clear.

Eating the right kind of food will have a positive impact in the wellbeing of individuals. By including potassium rich foods in our daily diet we can preserve, protect our body from anything or any condition that deteriorates health. Healthy diet and healthy practices contribute greatly to sound health of an individual. A diet rich in potassium is a contributory factor to good nutrition, rest and sleep in adequate proportions, balance between work, life and environment. Potassium rich diet adds shine to one’s health after all, the most precious wealth is HEALTH.