When blood serum potassium levels are higher than 5.2 mmol/L, this is called hyperkalemia. High blood potassium, called ‘hyperkalemia’, may be caused by kidney disease, excessive dietary potassium intake, uncontrolled diabetes, dehydration, or severe blood loss. Hyperaldosteronism causes the body to lose too much potassium and retain too much sodium – leading to hypokalemia.Įvidence from a number of clinical trials, including one by the American Heart Association has also found “an increased incidence of new onset diabetes among patients receiving thiazide diuretics”, tying low potassium levels via use of diuretics to diabetes.Īt 2.4 mmol/L, serum potassium concentration is dangerously low and can be life-threatening. If a benign (noncancerous) tumor is present on the adrenal gland, this can cause aldosterone levels to rise – which is called hyperaldosteronism. Increased potassium excretion via urine is often caused by diuretic medications, especially thiazide diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and hypertension.Īldosterone is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that serves to regulate blood pressure. Low blood potassium, hypokalemia, may be caused by low dietary potassium intake, increased potassium excretion, laxative use, diarrhea, and high aldosterone levels. The body will use all of the potassium it needs, then will excrete the leftover potassium as urinary waste. Women should consume about 2,600 mg (milligrams) of potassium a day, and men should consume 3,400 mg of potassium a day¹. How much potassium should we consume per day? Vegetables: spinach, leafy greens, sweet potato, mushrooms.Fruits: bananas, oranges, kiwis, apricots.The primary source of potassium is food, especially: Blood potassium levels are considered normal between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter levels below this range characterize low potassium concentration (hypokalemia), and levels above this range characterize high potassium concentration (hyperkalemia). Potassium levels in the blood are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). This nutrient also aids in muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, and heart rate regulation – the vital functions. Potassium is both an essential mineral and electrolyte that the body requires in order to maintain regular fluid levels inside the cells. Adults ages 45 and older are most commonly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include living a sedentary lifestyle and being physically active fewer than three times a week, obesity, and having a family history of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a disorder that develops over time and is primarily due to diet. Children and young adults are most commonly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Risk factors include having a family history of type 1 diabetes, exposure to viral illnesses, and having autoantibodies (cells that attack the immune system). Type 1 diabetes is a genetic disorder that a person is born with and cannot prevent. ![]() ![]() What’s the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes? With any form of diabetes, blood glucose levels are too high in the body, resulting in a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream. These include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes. Approximately 34 million Americans, or 1 in 10 Americans, have either Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes.ĭiabetes mellitus is the umbrella term for the group of diseases caused by hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. What is diabetes?ĭiabetes is a chronic disease that impacts the body’s ability to convert food into energy. Here’s everything you need to know about diabetes, potassium, and the relationship between the two. Could a potassium-rich diet help to prevent type 2 diabetes from developing? Recent studies show a connection between potassium levels in the body and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus.
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