How to Build Potassium Level
Potassium serves an important function in the body. It maintains the electrical potential of cells, affecting how they discharge and regenerate energy. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, disrupts this electrical activity and can cause muscle aches, cramps and weakness, especially in high-activity cells like muscle and nerve cells. Since the heart is a muscle, low potassium can cause heart palpitations and dangerous arrhythmias. It is vital to keep a healthy potassium level and to build up low levels.
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Things You'll Need
- Multivitamin or low-dose potassium supplement
- High-potassium foods
- Electrolyte fluids
Instructions
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Avoid taking diuretics if you have a risk of low potassium--unless directed to by a doctor. If you need to take one, talk to your doctor about low-dose potassium supplements. Diuretics can cause you to lose potassium from the kidneys, where it is stored.
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Take a multivitamin or low-dose potassium supplement if you are experiencing an illness with vomiting or diarrhea. Once you have recovered, your body should be better able to regulate your levels.
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Add high-potassium foods to your diet, but keep an eye on your blood levels to keep your potassium from getting too high. Foods that are high potassium sources are apricots, bananas, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries and oranges. Fish, beef, turkey, peas, mushrooms, beets and greens are also good sources.
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Drink electrolyte fluids during heavy exercise. This will replace potassium lost from the body by sweating.
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Refrain from using laxatives, as this causes loss of potassium through the intestines.
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Avoid certain drugs, such as Prednisone, aminoglycosides and Amphotericin B. Low potassium levels are one of their side effects.
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Tips & Warnings
Low potassium levels are not usually caused by a dietary lack of potassium; it is most commonly caused by a loss of potassium through the intestines or kidney. However, even though diet does not cause it, increasing the amount of potassium in your diet can help to raise your levels and prevent the symptoms and health issues related to low potassium.
