Why is potassium important and what are the best sources to find them in?

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Potassium is an electrolyte which regulates the ph balance of the fluid in your body with most of it being found inside the cells of your body and a small amount being found in the blood. Potassium makes proteins from amino acids, prevents cramping, metabolizes carbohydrates, aids in muscle contraction, and aids in muscle growth.

The minimum daily amount you should consume is 3,500 mg and should be increased if you are an athletic individual. You should consume twice the amount of potassium as you do sodium.

Ideally you want to consume foods with a high low ratio of potassium to sodium, as sodium will retain water in the body. Good sources of potassium with low levels of sodium include bananas, nuts, broccoli, apples, salmon, flounder, baked potato with skin, figs, boiled soy beans, sardines, wholemeal pasta, etc.

Some of the best sources to consume would be:

Bananas at 400 mg of potassium and 1 mg of sodium

Baked potato w/ skin at 600 mg of potassium and 12 mg of sodium

Boiled plantain at 500 mg of potassium and 4 mg of sodium

Apricots at 1380 mg of potassium and 15 mg of sodium