What Is Potassium

What Is Potassium. Potassium is a metallic element with the symbol K.  Sir Humphry Davy derived potassium metal from caustic potash in 1807. The standard atomic weight of potassium is 39.09 and its atomic number is 19. It is soft and silver-white in color. The boiling point of potassium is 1032 K (774° C) and its melting point is 336 K (63.65° C). It is an alkali metal which is never found in elemental forms in nature. This is because of its unfavorable reaction to water. It is naturally available in sea water as ionic salt and in various minerals. It needs to be stored carefully in mineral oil. This is done to prevent it from getting discolored as it does not react well when exposed to air.

 Potassium can be put to industrial use, but not when it is in its purest form. For this purpose, potassium carbonate is used. This is a white and solid hygroscopic crystalline with many industrial applications. It can be used to soften water and is used in the production of soaps. Potassium chloride is also used widely as a fertilizer and also in photographic processing. Potassium cyanide is another compound mainly used for gold mining. It is a highly toxic solid which releases poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas when hydrolysed. Potassium Permanganate is a solid purple crystalline that is used as a disinfectant.

Potassium is an important mineral for the human body. It helps in proper functioning of organs and cells. Potassium is good for the heart and also in muscle building. It is a vital element that should be included in the diet. Potassium deficiency seldom occurs since it is present in many food items.  Fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, bananas, tomatoes and potatoes are rich in potassium. Milk, cheese, cereals, seafood and eggs are also a source. Such food items should be consumed regularly.  Although it is good for health, too much intake of potassium is not advisable. Supplements should not be taken unless advised by the doctor. Excessive intake can affect the heart and kidneys. So, a balance diet should be maintained to avoid any complexities.

Are you wondering about what is potassium? While most people are aware about potassium and its uses but there are still many people aren't aware of what potassium is and nor do they take the standard recommended levels of potassium.

The answer to the question: what is potassium? is that it is an essential mineral which provides a lot of benefits to our body and hence it is important that we should consume the recommended amount of potassium. In case there is deficiency of this mineral in our body for a long period of time, we can run the risk of getting a lot of health complications which can cause a significant change in our lifestyle as well.

One of the most significant functions of potassium is that it helps us to regulate the fluid levels of our body and also our blood pressure. This means that potassium is responsible for the steady thumping of our heart, which is desirable and it also contributes a lot to our nervous system because it promotes the correct functioning of the tissues of the nervous system. Potassium is required by the kidneys in order to get rid of the waste products from our body. It is also responsible for bringing in adequate oxygen to our brain, thus making it function better.

In fact if we consume a diet which is high in potassium, we will find that our bones are benefitting from it. One can find potassium in a lot of foods such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, seeds and beans. If we fail to consume the required amount of potassium for our body, we can face a lot of problems such as muscle damage, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, poor reflexes, fragile bones, kidney failure, insomnia, lung anorexia, depression or even cardiovascular problems.

Even though we know that we should consume the recommended amount of potassium each day, but in today's hectic times where can we find time and convenience to cook and consume foods rich in potassium? But one does not have to worry about this because we can always rely on the nutritional supplements of potassium. These potassium supplements are great way of meeting our daily potassium needs and regular consumption of these can also be quite beneficial for our body. However if you are not sure about the amount of potassium you should consume each day then a talk with a licensed nutritionist or your doctor can help.