Low Potassium

 

Well I have been gone for awhile partly due to low potassium, and partly due to the fact my beautiful daughter was here from West Tennessee visiting for a week. Yes, I had low, low, low potassium, why? Because I am a total carnivore. While I keep telling my self I need to juice I am not, enough with that let me you tell you my symptoms and what I did.


                                My Symptoms

So, I woke up one morning, and had this numbing sensation on the right side of my upper body. The sensation started in my fingers and continued to the top of my head, along the top of my back from shoulder to shoulder. I also noticed that my equilibrium was off, but did  not notice the lack of energy until after I ate. I thought maybe I was just hungry, but no something was wrong. I had also ignored the bloating I was experiencing, which I have not seen mentioned in other articles on the topic. My energy was so low I could not walk at a normal pace, instead I shuffled through the house for about a week. It was a Thursday, and I spent the day on the couch thinking I just need to rest, and this will pass. No, woke up the next morning, and all the symptoms where still there. I went to the computer to do some research, and realized I did not know where to begin.
                                                                    What I Did

Then I remember the local herbalist had given me his card, and said if I ever needed anything to call him. So, I gave him a call described my symptoms, and quickly he said my potassium was low and to drink some Emergen_C. I did not trust my self to drive, and called my husband to ask him if he would pick some up. He replied by telling me we already had some, and as I started to drink it I felt the numbing start to fade from my upper back, shoulders, and head. It took a couple of the days for it to reach through my arm, and to my fingers, but finally it was all gone within days.

However, I also started eating more potassium along with taking a supplement, and drinking stinging nettle infusions (contains 297 mg of potassium). It has been I estimate about five weeks, and my equilibrium is still off, and if I do to much I get worn out.

                                                    Symptoms of Low Potassium

While symptoms do vary from person to person the most basic symptoms are muscle weakness, cramps, nausea,(had that too) vomiting, fatigue, constipation, palpitations, increased thirst, and urination. Some of these symptoms are common of other issues, so always check with your health care professional.

                                             What Potassium Does for our Bodies

Our bodies contain many minerals potassium is the third most abundant. As an electrolyte it helps to regulate our blood pressure, muscle activity, water retention, and is important for the proper function of every cell in our bodies. Potassium helps to increase our energy levels, aids our cells in the elimination of toxic waste, along with balancing out our PH levels.

                                         People at Higher Risk for Low Potassium

• Those taking certain birth control pills, diacritics, as well as other medications.
• High physical demanding jobs.
• Athletes, or those who work on a regular basis intensely. 
• Those who have a health condition which effects their digestive absorption, such as Crohns.   
• Those with eating disorders.
• Smokers, alcoholics, drug addicts. 

                                                How Much Potassium do we Need?

                                                               

Category	Adequate Intake (AI)
CHILDREN
0-6 months	400 mg/day
7-12 months	700 mg/day
1-3 years	3,000 mg/day
4-8 years	3,800 mg/day
9-13 years	4,500 mg/day
14 years and up	4,700 mg/day
ADULTS
18 years and up	4,700 mg/day
Pregnant women	4,700 mg/day
Breastfeeding women	5,100 mg/day

                                                         Top 10 Sources for Potassium


#1: White Beans

Potassium in 100g	1 cup cooked (179g)
561mg (16% DV)	1004mg (29% DV)

Other Beans High in Potassium (%DV per cup): Adzuki (35%), Soy (28%), Lima (28%), Kidney (20%), Great Northern (20%), Pinto (18%) and others at an average of 15% DV per cup cooked.

#2: Dark Leafy Greens (Spinach)

Potassium 100g (Raw)	1 Cup (Raw - 30g)	1 Cup (Cooked - 180g)
558mg (16% DV)	167mg (5% DV)	839mg (24% DV)

Other Greens High in Potassium (%DV per cup cooked): Swiss Chard (27% DV), Kale (8% DV), and Collards (6% DV

#3: Baked Potatoes (With Skin)

Potassium 100g	Average Potato (173g)
535mg (15% DV)	926mg (26% DV)

Warning: Potatoes are high in simple carbohydrates and not recommended for people with diabetes. Sweet potatoes are actually better for regulation blood sugar, an average baked sweet potato with skin (114g) provides 542mg (15% DV) of potassium.

#4: Dried Apricots

Potassium 100g	1/2 cup (65g)
1162mg (33% DV)	755mg (22% DV)

Warning: Dried Apricots are high in sugar.

#5: Baked Acorn Squash

Potassium 100g	1 cup cubed (205g)
437mg (12% DV)	899mg (26% DV)

Other Squash High in Potassium (%DV per cup baked): Hubbard (21%), Butternut (17% DV), Zucchini (14% DV), Average Winter Squash (10% DV).

#6: Yogurt (Plain, Skim/Non-Fat)

Potassium 100g	1 cup (245g)
255mg (7% DV)	625mg (18% DV)

Other Yogurt High in Potassium (%DV per cup): Whole-Fat (11% DV), Chocolate Yogurt (24% DV).

#7: Fish (Salmon)

Potassium 100g	1 3oz fillet (85g)
628mg (18% DV)	534mg (15% DV)

Other Fish High in Potassium (%DV per 3oz fillet (85g)): Pompano (15% DV), Lingcod (14% DV), Halibut (13% DV), Yellowfin Tuna (13% DV), Anchovies (12% DV), Mackerel (10% DV), Herring (10% DV) and most other fish at an average of 10% DV.

#8: Avocados

Potassium 100g	Average Avocado (201g)	1/2 Cup Pureed (115)
485mg (14% DV)	975mg (28% DV)	558mg (16% DV)

An average avocado provides 322 calories, half a cup purred contains 184 calories.

#9: Mushrooms (White)

Potassium 100g	1 cup sliced (108g)
396mg (11% DV)	428mg (12% DV)

1 cup cooked sliced white mushrooms contain 28 calories.
Other mushrooms high in potassium (%DV per cup sliced): Portabella (9% DV), Brown or Crimini (9% DV), Enoki (7% DV), Shiitake (5% DV), Maitake (4% DV).

#10: Bananas

Potassium 100g	Average Banana(118g)	1 Cup Mashed (225)
358mg (10% DV)	422mg (12% DV)	806mg (23% DV)

An average banana provides 105 calories, 1 cup mashed contains 200 calories.

Read more at http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/food-sources-of-potassium.php#xH4XbLcjXei0qLWv.99

I believe I have had low potassium for years, but ignored the symptoms. I have always has cramps in my toes, and sometimes in my calf muscle as well. While I knew it was due to a lack of something my body needed I never knew what, do now. I also had started to get a tingling in my right arm on and off, and blew that off as well. Don't ignore any of the symptoms I have mentioned here, but if you do start taking in more potassium, and the symptoms persist it is time to consult a health care professional. 

 

Also be aware if you are like me and work out hard on a regular basis you lose potassium through sweat. It is important to replenish lost potassium from a hard work out.    

You can Google any food product for the potassium content, as I searched I noticed there are conflicting numbers out there look for consistencies. 

This is how dealt with low potassium, I am not recommending anyone else does what I did. As a matter of fact my husband said numerous times I should consider seeing a doctor.

Muscle weakness, cramps, constipation, palpitations, fatigue, and increased thirst and urination are common, along with nausea and vomiting.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/237532-what-are-symptoms-of-low-potassium-levels/#ixzz2DLx7AZfW

Muscle weakness, cramps, constipation, palpitations, fatigue, and increased thirst and urination are common, along with nausea and vomiting.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/237532-what-are-symptoms-of-low-potassium-levels/#ixzz2DLx7AZfW