Benefits Of Potassium

Potassium is a major electrolyte that helps the body maintain fluid balance and action potentials. It does this by moving in and out of the body’s cells with the help of the sodium-potassium pump, an active transport system than moves potassium against its concentration gradient. This is what gives cells their membrane potential. In acidosis, there is a high concentration of hydrogen ions in the extracellular fluid, this promotes an influx of Hydrogen ions into the cells. As the electro positive Hydrogen ion moves into the cell, Potassium (K+) moves out of the cell to maintain the membrane potential balance. This efflux of Potassium results in hypokalemia and can cause many complications. Many cardiac irregularities are seen with acute or chronic