Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 40 : Potassium

Introduction

Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the body. In the human body most of the potassium is located inside muscle cells. Potassium is an electrolyte (a substance that maintains body's fluid levels), and helps to regulate blood pressure and heart function. It has been shown that increasing potassium intake can lower blood pressure.

The adult human body contains about 250 g. of potassium. It is present in large amounts in different cells and small amounts in the extracellular fluids.