amount of potassium in body
It is found dissolved in sea water (which is 0.04% potassium by weight), and is part of many minerals. Naturally occurring potassium is composed of three isotopes, one of which, 40K, is radioactive. Traces of 40K are found in all potassium, and it is the most common radioisotope in the human body. With no potassium intake, there is an obligatory excretion of about 200 mg per day, until in about a week the serum potassium declines to a mildly deficient level of 3.0–3.5 mmol/L. It continues to fall to create a severe deficiency in the plasma and eventually death. In the Periodic table, potassium is one of seven elements in column (group) 1 (alkali metals): they all have a single valence electron in their outer electron shell, which they readily give up to create an atom with a positive charge-a cation, and combine with anions to form salts. Potassium also has a role in regulating blood pressure. Low potassium levels (hypokalaemia) can cause weakness as cellular processes are affected. Potassium is a mineral (electrolyte) in the body. Almost 98% of potassium is found inside the cells. Small changes in the level of potassium that is present outside the cells can have severe effects on the heart, nerves and muscles. Potassium is a mineral found in foods. It is also an electrolyte, which conducts electrical impulses throughout the body. Potassium assists in a range of essential body functions, including: 1  blood pressure. 2  normal water balance. 3  muscle contractions. 4  nerve impulses. 5  digestion. 6  heart rhythm. Potassium is a mineral found in many of the foods you eat. It plays a role in keeping your heartbeat regular and your muscles working right. It is the job of healthy kidneys to keep the right amount of potassium in your body. However, when your kidneys are not healthy, you often need to limit certain foods that can increase the potassium in your blood to a dangerous level. There are 24 known isotopes of potassium, three of which occur naturally: 39K (93.3%), 40K (0.0117%), and 41K (6.7%). Naturally occurring 40K has a half-life of 1.250×10 9 years. It decays to stable 40Ar by electron capture or positron emission (11.2%) or to stable 40Ca by beta decay (88.8%). Dehydration, diarrhoea, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and laxative abuse are common causes of low potassium levels. It may also be caused by a lack of potassium in the diet; however, this is uncommon. Potassium is the eighth or ninth most common element by mass (0.2%) in the human body, so that a 60 kg adult contains a total of about 120 g of potassium. The body has about as much potassium as sulfur and chlorine, and only calcium and phosphorus are more abundant. A normal amount of potassium in a typical diet of a healthy American is about 3500 to 4500 milligrams per day. A potassium restricted diet is typically about 2000 milligrams per day. Your physician or dietitian will advise you as to the specific level of restriction you need based on your individual health.
A 60 kg adult contains a total of about 120 g of potassium.