Potassium Deficiency and the Elderly

Having adequate nutrients in your body is vital to ones health. If you follow a diet well-supplied in vitamins and minerals you should not have to worry. Despite a healthy diet, taking medications and age can lead to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Potassium is a common mineral the elderly can be deficient in.

Potassium helps support a normal heart rhythm, regulate water balance, and guide nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Potassium levels are controlled by the kidneys, excess being eliminated through the urine. Typical potassium levels range from 3.5 - 5 mEq/L.

Most foods contain potassium, making it easy to intake potassium naturally. Lean meats, beans, fruits, green vegetables, and grains all provide a good natural source of potassium. Most people who intake a diet rich in these foods should be receiving enough daily potassium.

The elderly are at a greater risk for potassium deficiency because their organs no longer function as well. Meaning, even if their diets are rich in potassium intake their bodies may not be able to absorb and maintain the needed amounts of potassium in their bodies.

Blood pressure medication may also decrease potassium levels. The medication prescribed to regulate blood pressure helps accelerate fluid loss in the body. Along with accelerating the loss of fluids, blood pressure medication also depletes the body of potassium. You can increase potassium rich foods in your diet but if your kidneys and other organs functions are declining then you may need potassium supplements to achieve the correct amounts of potassium your body needs. This is why the elderly are at a risk of being deficient.

If you suffer from gastrointestinal problems, uncommon skin sensations, muscle weakness, or an irregular heat rate then you should consult with you physician about a possible potassium deficiency. A doctor preform a simple blood test to check the potassium levels in the blood.

Once you have been diagnosed by a doctor with a potassium deficiency you can begin taking potassium supplements.

Chelated potassium supplements are the most popular form of potassium supplements taken by the elderly as they are best for the body's maximum absorption of potassium. Chelated is a process by which the vitamins and minerals are bond together in order make it easier for the body to absorb.

Unlike medications, potassium supplements are very affordable. If you find your self in need of potassium supplements they can usually be had for under $6 for a bottle. The usual dosage is 1 capsule every day. Compared to the typical costs of medication for the elderly, potassium supplements are extremely reasonable.