Potassium By Lucy Albert is the chemical element with the symbol K (Neo-Latin kalium), atomic number 19, and atomic mass Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white metallic alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.chemical elementNeo-Latinatomic numberatomic massalkali metaloxidizesair water Potassium is found in high concentrations within cells. Potassium is necessary for the proper functioning of enzymes, muscles, and nerves. It is also necessary to maintain a proper fluid balance throughout the body.

Foods A potassium intake sufficient to support life can generally be guaranteed by eating a variety of foods. Clear cases of potassium deficiency (as defined by symptoms, signs and a below-normal blood level of the element) are rare in healthy individuals. Foods rich in potassium include parsley, dried apricots, dried milk, chocolate, various nuts (especially almonds and pistachios), potatoes, bamboo shoots, bananas, avocados, soybeans, bran, although it is present in sufficient quantities in most fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. [30] parsleyapricotsdried milkchocolatenutsalmondspistachios potatoesbamboo shootsbananasavocados soybeansbran [30]

Deficiency Potassium deficiency in the body is most often due to an excessive loss of potassium rather than too little dietary intake. Potassium deficiency symptoms include restlessness, heart arrhythmia, Diarrhea poor growth, muscle paralysis, tendency to dehydration, and heart or kidney lesions An excellent and easy source of potassium replacement is apple cider vinegar; place 1 tsp to each pint of water in the cat's or dog's water bowl daily