An important part of keeping your body healthy is to make potassium rich foods a primary part of your diet. Without this important mineral salt, you could experience a dangerous imbalance in the pH levels in your body's fluids. Potassium, fortunately, can be found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as a number of meats and fish. Foods rich in potassium play a vital role in the regulation of your heart, kidney, and renal functions, as well as blood pressure and bone mass. Potassium also works to regulate your nervous system and muscle function.

Medical Conditions

Pertaining to Potassium For most people, maintaining healthy potassium levels is easy, and only requires a diet of potassium rich foods. However, there are conditions in which a person's body does not absorb potassium, or stores too much of the mineral. Hypokalemia, or low potassium, exists when your body does not absorb the potassium that you ingest, and supplements are required to bring your potassium levels up to a healthy range. Its counterpart, hyperkalemia, is a condition in which your body will not dispose of unneeded potassium, which can then reach toxic levels. Both conditions are treatable with medication and an appropriate diet.

Potassium Rich Foods

Potassium is found in lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are also loaded with lots of other vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. Bananas are renowned as potassium rich foods, but there are other options as well, including cantaloupes, oranges, and apricots. Avocados, potatoes, bell peppers, and cauliflower are examples of vegetables that are rich in potassium. Protein sources that supply a punch of potassium include tuna and halibut. These are just a few of the long list of potassium rich foods available.

Symptoms of Low Potassium

Your body will let you know that your potassium levels are not what they should be before your supply is dangerously depleted. If you experience any combination of the following symptoms, consult your physician and increase your intake of potassium rich foods: weakness and tiredness, cramping in the legs or arms, extremely low blood pressure, numbness, or arrhythmias.

Watch for Signs of Low Potassium

Potassium rich foods are necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you are not getting enough potassium, your body will tell you. Watch for symptoms like a sudden drop in blood pressure, weakness and exhaustion, cramping in your legs and arms, numbness, or heart arrhythmias, you should talk to your doctor immediately. These may all be signs that you are not getting enough potassium or your body is not absorbing it properly.