Potassium is a natural diuretic, helping your body excrete water and sodium, thus possibly lowering blood pressure. In fact, there is evidence that salt sensitivity may be caused by a lack of potassium. Scientists believe that potassium has the ability to pump sodium out of the body's cells and reduces body fluid. Potassium may affect blood vessel tone and may modify the way blood vessels react to circulating hormones that affect blood pressure.

Not only is the effect of potassium on blood pressure quite remarkable, it is also necessary for good muscle contraction. Potassium also produces healthy electrical activity in the heart and rapid transmission of nerve impulses throughout the body. Heartbeat irregularities are commonly considered a classic sign of potassium deficiency.

Potassium attracts oxygen to tissues, lack of it reduces tissue oxygenation. In turn this causes lax muscles, vital organs to sag and the heart to weaken. Lack of potassium opens the door to all manner of germ life in the body. One of the common signs of potassium deficiency is earaches. The reason for this is bacterial toxins are not properly flushed from the body. Another problem noted is that tissue metabolism is interrupted causing skin eruptions. If potassium is depleted it is likely that albumin, sugar, gelatinous substances, sodium and chlorine are also in short supply or not fully assimilated. The body clearly needs acertain amount of sodium to maintain blood pressure, it also needs certain levels of other minerals, such as potassium... to keep sodium levels in the body from getting too high.

People who have hypoglycemia often suffer from headaches, weakness and other conditions which can be directly attributed to a deficiency. Potassium is depleted by low blood sugar. On the other end of the scale, diabetes, which involves reduced tolerance to sugar, indicates a lack of potassium. Both conditions can be helped with a potassium supplement.

Potassium is also indicated to help counteract tumor growth. Research shows that by controlling the salt and water content at the cellular level, cellular function, energy production, and overall biological integrity can be restored or improved. Low-sodium, high potassium environments can restore damaged cell proteins, in part, to their normal undamaged configuration. Potassium also supports the adrenal glands. These glands are often severely impaired from a protracted period of functioning in a continual state of stress response.

Potassium is important to everyone as long as it is supplied in biochemical or supplement form.

Some symptoms of a potassium deficiency:

Bad circulation, Bluish tint to skin, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes, Earaches, Edema, Headaches, Heart palpitations, Hypertension, Insomnia, Intestinal pain, Muscle weakness, Oppressive breathing, Pain in the eyes, Prolapsed uterus, Swollen glands, Tissue anemia, Water retention

Natural sources: leafy green vegetables, citrus, bananas, back olives, potato peelings, beets, beans, kelp, whole grains, and seafood.