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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

THE IMPORTANCE OF POTASSIUM


Potassium is a mineral salt (electrolyte) that is essential for maintaining the balance of pH levels in our body fluids. It plays an important role in regulating our blood pressure, bone mass, nervous system, muscle function, and heart, kidney, and adrenal functions. Potassium deficiency can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, mood changes, cramping legs, high blood pressure problems, hypertension, strokes, and heart irregularities.


Potassium is depleted by coffee, sugar, alcohol, enemas, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent hot flashes, sweating, night sweats, chemical diuretics, dieting.

 
For more energy, less fatigue, less water retention, steady heartbeat, lower blood pressure and better digestion include more potassium rich foods in your diet.

Herbal Sources of Potassium;

sage, catnip, peppermint, skullcap, hops, dulse, kelp, red clover, horsetail, nettles, plantain leaf.


Food Sources of Potassium;

Apricots, dried 10 halves 407 gms potassium

Avocados, raw 1 ounce 180

Bananas, raw 1 cup 594

Beets, cooked 1 cup 519

Brussel sprouts, cooked 1 cup 504

Cantaloupe 1 cup 494

Dates, dry 5 dates 271

Figs, dry 2 figs 271

Kiwi fruit, raw 1 medium 252

Lima beans 1 cup 955

Melons, honeydew 1 cup 461

Milk, fat free or skim 1 cup 407

Nectarines 1 nectarine 288

Orange juice 1 cup 496

Oranges 1 orange 237

Pears (fresh) 1 pear 208

Peanuts dry roasted, unsalted 1 ounce 187

Potatoes, baked, 1 potato 1081

Prune juice 1 cup 707

Prunes, dried 1 cup 828

Raisins 1 cup 1089

Spinach, cooked 1 cup 839

Tomato products, canned sauce 1 cup 909

Winter squash 1 cup 896

Yogurt plain, skim milk 8 ounces 579

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