Potassium deficiency

Potassium deficiency is a proven contributing cause for many illness including: arthritis, kidney stones, atrial fibrillation, adrenal insufficiency, celiac disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, ulcerative colitis, hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, atherosclerosis, diabetes and stroke.

A lack of potassium first affects the muscles and nerves. There is muscle weakness, irritability, mental confusion and rapid heartbeat.

Other sign of potassium deficiency includes abnormally dry skin, acne, chills, cognitive impairment, constipation, depression, diarrhea, diminished reflex function, edema, nervousness, insatiable thirst, glucose intolerance, growth impairment, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, periodic headaches, proteinuria, respiratory distress and salt retention.

Sweating associated with regular or extend periods of exercise can lead to potassium deficiency. Because potassium helps the body covert glucose into energy, early signs of potassium deficiency in athletes are muscle weakness and great failure.

Potassium deficiency is another cause of kidney failure, though it is uncommon. Kidney function decreases in severe potassium deficiency and may never recover.

Cortisol is reduced during potassium deficiency and this reduction accounts for many of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Cortisol shuts down most of the copper’s enzymes when it declines so that excretion of copper is increased and Lysyl oxidize inhibited.
Potassium deficiency