Major Mineral- Potassium

Question 1

What are sources

Answer 1

-All foods except sugars, fats and oils-unprocessed foods contain more than processed foods
-fruit, eg bananas and grapefruit, -fruit juice
-milk
-meat

Question 2

What are functions of Potassium

Answer 2

-Converts blood sugar to glycogen- storage form of blood sugar in muscles and liver
-Maintaining water, fluid and electrolyte balance in body cells and tissues
-High Potassium intake helps reduce risk of high blood pressure as high levels cause sodium to be excreted in urine
-Facilitates body’s ability to deal with excess sodium

Question 3

Requirements

Answer 3

-Nutritionists recommend a decrease in sodium intake and an increase in foods high in potassium

Question 4

What is a deficiency in Potassium

Answer 4

-Not a UK problem
-Can occur is not enough absorbed or drugs taken- increase potassium loss
-Excessive fluid loss through sweating or diarrhoea- common cause
Symptoms:
-Muscular weakness
-Low blood pressure
-Irregular/ rapid heartbeat- lead to cardiac arrest or heart attack

Question 5

What factors affect Potassium Absorption

Answer 5

-Tobacco, sugar and coffee

Question 6

What are the cooking effects

Answer 6

-Potassium content reduced when foods are canned/ frozen
-Avoid peeling
-Avoid cooking in large amounts of water
-Keep meat drippings for gravy

Question 7

Interactions with potassium

Answer 7

-Potassium and sodium work together- maintain muscle tone, blood pressure and water balance
-Many believe part of the blood pressure problem is caused by too much dietary salt and made worse by little dietary potassium