Obi-wan
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2017
- Messages
- 1,120
I fail to see how potassium is more important than sodium from what you just shared. Please elaborate.
I also don't understand why aldosterone is tasked with conserving sodium at the expense of potassium. Why would it do so if potassium is more important than sodium?
Intracellular potassium to keep membrane potential high. Heavy crop production rapidly depletes the soil of potassium. Due to nitrogen fertilization of plants they do not uptake potassium or magnesium. Did you see the RDA for potassium. 4,700mg of potassium for males that are 14 years old and older. Most Americans consume only half that amount per day.
Biochemical function[edit]
Potassium levels influence multiple physiological processes, including[53][54][55]
- resting cellular-membrane potential and the propagation of action potentials in neuronal, muscular, and cardiac tissue. Due to the electrostatic and chemical properties, K+
ions are larger than Na+
ions, and ion channels and pumps in cell membranes can differentiate between the two ions, actively pumping or passively passing one of the two ions while blocking the other.[56] - hormone secretion and action
- vascular tone
- systemic blood pressure control
- gastrointestinal motility
- acid–base homeostasis
- glucose and insulin metabolism
- mineralocorticoid action
- renal concentrating ability
- fluid and electrolyte balance
In humans, sodium is an essential mineral that regulates blood volume, blood pressure, osmotic equilibrium and pH; the minimum physiological requirement for sodium is 500 milligrams per day.[77] Sodium chloride is the principal source of sodium in the diet, and is used as seasoning and preservative in such commodities as pickled preserves and jerky; for Americans, most sodium chloride comes from processed foods.[78] Other sources of sodium are its natural occurrence in food and such food additives as monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrite, sodium saccharin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and sodium benzoate.[79] The US Institute of Medicine set its Tolerable Upper Intake Level for sodium at 2.3 grams per day,[80] but the average person in the United States consumes 3.4 grams per day
I think we over consume sodium and under consume potassium causing an imbalance. Both are important. I am interested in proper membrane potential.
Last edited: