Potassium is a mineral involved in electrical and cellular body functions. In the body, potassium is classified as an electrolyte.

Diet - potassium

Potassium is a very important mineral to the human body. It has various roles in metabolism and body functions and is essential for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs:

• It assists in the regulation of the acid-base balance.
• It assists in protein synthesis from amino acids and in carbohydrate metabolism.
• It is necessary for the building of muscle and for normal body growth.
• It is essential for the normal electrical activity of the heart.

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Potassium in diet Food Sources

Review Date: 05/26/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc, and avid C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)