Potassium

Minerals, Health & Weight Loss
Good diet nutrition is essential for optimum health – including efficient metabolism, stable blood sugar levels and appetite, all of which affect weight control and how fast we lose weight. Minerals play an essential role in this nutritional process.

Potassium

Potassium deficiency is not uncommon, especially for those who eat quite a lot of salt and not much fresh fruit and vegetables.

Good sources of Potassium include

Bananas, brewer’s yeast, dried figs/prunes, wheatgerm, almonds, raisins and sultanas, dates, jacket potatoes, halibut, molasses, spinach, chick peas, butter beans.

How Potassium helps

Essential for proper functioning of all cells & nervous tissue
Normalizes blood pressure
Prevents excess fluid retention
Activates various enzymes
Helps to conduct nerve impulses
Improves physical performance

Potassium deficiency symptoms include

Muscular weakness or pains.
Great tiredness.
Low blood pressure.

Note:
Potassium levels are depleted by certain drugs, too much coffee, salt or alcohol. Also, potassium in vegetables can be lost in cooking water.

Recommended daily allowance for Potassium

US RDA: 3.5g
EU RDA: 3.5g

The Importance of a Balanced Diet
If you have been a regular follower of fad diets, regular fasting, single food diets, yo-yo dieting or diet/weight loss pills, you may already be deficient in vitamins and minerals. This may be why you find it difficult to lose weight, or sustain weight loss in the long term.

Solution: Follow a balanced diet that offers slow steady weight loss and includes advice on exercise. Anne Collins Weight Loss Diet Program is a good choice.