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General description	The most important intracellular cation important for muscle contractions.
Found	- apricots, bananas - lettuce - broccoli - potatoes - fresh fruit and fruit juices - sunflower seeds - unsalted peanuts, nuts - cocoa, chocolate
Anti-aging role	- important for intracellular chemical reaction - it helps to regulate water balance - maintaining heart and muscle contractions - nerve transmission - required for proper carbohydrate metabolism - can reduce high blood pressure, allergies and colic in babies - lower risk of stroke - enzyme cofactor
Deficiency symptoms	- weakness of muscle - mental confusion - muscle cramping, soft and flabby muscles - poor reflexes - nervous system disruption - constipation - acne in young people, dry skin - apathy - sleepness - irritability - anorexia nevosa - long-term potassium deficiency - muscle paralyses and arrhythmia
Therapeutic doses	2000 - 4000 mg / day Athletes: 3000 - 6000 mg American RDA: 99 mg European RDA: 2000 mg
Side effects	- black stool - bloody stool - diarrhea - fatigue
Interactions	DRUG INTERACTIONS: Potassium deficiency cause: - competitive aldosterone antagonists that keep potassium - angiotensin inhibiting enzyme inhibitors - NSAR - anti-inflammatory drugs - heparin - digitalis - alpha and beta blockers - angiotensin blockers Potassium excess cause: - epinephrine - decongestives - bronchodilatators - tocolitics - diuretics - minerealocorticoids and drugs with mineralocorticoid effect - glucocorticioids in high doses - antibiotics in high doses - caffeine - peholphtaleine - sodium poliphenolstirate FOOD INTERACTIONS: - glycyrrhizinic acid from liquorice can low potassium level
High risk groups	- patients on diuretic that increase potassium excretion - alcoholics - chronic diarrhea and vomiting - people with anorexia or bulimia - athletes
Composition formulas	- chloride, citrate, gluconate - potassium iodid - iodine supplementation
Other remarks	- potassium salts are water soluble

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