an important function of sodium is
Having too much potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia; having too little is known as hypokalemia. Keeping the right potassium balance in the body depends on the amount of sodium and magnesium in the blood. Too much sodium, common in Western diets that use a lot of salt, may increase the need for potassium. The most important use of potassium is to treat the symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium), which include weakness, lack of energy, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances, an irregular heartbeat, and an abnormal EKG (electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart function). Magnesium helps maintain the potassium in the cells, but the sodium and potassium balance is as finely tuned as those of calcium and phosphorus or calcium and magnesium. Research has found that a high-sodium diet with low potassium intake influences vascular volume and tends to elevate the blood pressure. Potassium is a very important mineral for the proper function of all cells, tissues, and organs in the human body. It is also an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function. Many foods contain potassium, including all meats, some types of fish (such as salmon, cod, and flounder), and many fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Role of Potassium in Maintaining Health. by Elson M. Haas, M.D. Potassium is a very significant body mineral, important to both cellular and electrical function. It is one of the main blood minerals called electrolytes (the others are sodium and chloride), which means it carries a tiny electrical charge (potential). 1 Sodium plays a large role in fluid balance, with different variations of sodium determining the shift of water by osmosis from one area of the body to another.  Along with chloride and bicarbonate, sodium is important for the proper regulation of the acid-base balance of the body. Water and Electrolytes. Sodium (Na) is the major cation (positively charged ion) in the extracellular fluid and plays a variety of fundamental roles within the body. Sodium plays a large role in fluid balance, with different variations of sodium determining the shift of water by osmosis from one area of the body to another. Elevations or depletions of this important mineral can cause problems and, in the extreme, even death. Maintaining consistent levels of potassium in the blood and cells is vital to body function. Even with high intakes of potassium, the kidneys will clear any excess, and blood levels will not be increased. 1 See Cellular Control of Water Distribution. 2  Along with chloride and bicarbonate, sodium is important for the proper regulation of the acid-base balance of the body.  As an active transport mechanism in the form of Na, K –ATPase, sodium is essential for the passage of metabolic materials through cell walls. 1 Along with chloride and bicarbonate, sodium is important for the proper regulation of the acid-base balance of the body.  As an active transport mechanism in the form of Na, K –ATPase, sodium is essential for the passage of metabolic materials through cell walls.
For the proper regulation of the acid-base balance of the body.