Potassium, one of the most important minerals, is essential for the very life of every cell. It is also among the most generously and widely distributed of all the tissue minerals.
Potassium is found principally in the intracellular fluid. A small amount of potassium in the extracellular fluid is necessary for normal muscular activity.
The average adult human body contains 120 g of potassium and 245 g of potassium chloride. Out of this body potassium, 117 g is found in the cells and 3 g in the extra cellular compartment. Formation of sulphate and phosphate of potassium also takes place from the food potassium in the body.
Potassium is a bluish-white metallic element. It is highly reactive and never found free in nature. Potassium plays an important role as a catalyst in energy production and in the synthesis of glycogen and protein. Liberal use of alcohol, coffee, sugar, and diuretics can lead to depletion of potassium.
Potassium absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine. In healthy people on a normal diet, about 90 per cent of potassium is excreted from the urine. Increased amounts of potassium are found in the urine whenever the tissues are losing potassium. Perhaps the most important cause is a breakdown of cellular proteins such as occurs in diabetes, under-feeding, and after an injury.
In a healthy person the feces contain very small amounts of potassium. The digestive juices contain large amounts but this is normally reabsorbed in the gut. However, diarrhea may cause large losses in the stool. Loss of potassium from the skin is usually negligible.
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