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"Xiao Wang, why is your face so bad? Didn't you sleep well? Aunt Li asked with concern, she was about to go to the vegetable market to buy vegetables, but saw the neighbor's son Wang Ming, sitting listlessly at the door, looking exhausted.
"Mom, I'm fine, I'm just a little tired." Wang Mingqiang squeezed out a smile, but he couldn't hide the tiredness in the corners of his eyes.
"Tired? You haven't done anything on this hot day, why are you tired? Aunt Li asked suspiciously, but she knew that Wang Ming had been resting at home recently, and there was no pressure at work.
"It may be that the weather has been too hot recently, and I always sweat and feel tired." Wang Ming explained.
"Sweating a lot? Then you have to supplement more potassium, the doctor said that you should supplement potassium for sweating in the summer, eat more than 3 good things to supplement potassium, fix sweat and nourish the spirit. As she spoke, Aunt Li took out a note from her pocket that read "Bananas, potatoes, and kelp."
"Potassium supplements? I thought I was going to drink salt water? Wang Ming was a little puzzled. Saline is a supplement to sodium, and potassium and sodium are two different elements that work differently. Potassium can help maintain water balance in the body, prevent dehydration, and prevent symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue. Aunt Li explained.
"I see, then I'm going to eat more bananas, potatoes, and kelp." Wang Ming nodded.
"Well, eat more, don't just eat watermelon, although watermelon relieves the heat, but the potassium content is not high." Aunt Li admonished.
Aunt Li's words reminded Wang Ming of watching the news a few days ago, saying that an old gentleman only ate watermelon for several days because of the hot weather, and as a result, he had symptoms such as muscle weakness and cramps.
"It seems that potassium supplementation is really important!" Wang Ming thought to himself.
"By the way, Xiao Wang, have you felt thirsty, frequent urination, dizziness and other symptoms recently?" Aunt Li asked suddenly.
"Seems to be a little, what's wrong?" Wang Ming was a little puzzled.
"These symptoms can also be caused by potassium deficiency, and you'd better go to the hospital for a check-up." Aunt Li suggested.
"Okay, I'll go to the hospital in the afternoon." Wang Ming nodded.
Wang Ming came to the hospital, where the doctor carefully inquired about his symptoms and gave him a blood test. The results showed that Wang Ming's blood potassium level was indeed low, and the doctor diagnosed him with mild potassium deficiency.
"You've been experiencing potassium deficiency symptoms as a result of your recent hot weather, sweating a lot, and an unbalanced diet that has led to excessive potassium loss." The doctor explained.
"Doctor, how do I get potassium supplements?" Wang Ming asked.
"In addition to eating more potassium-rich foods such as bananas, potatoes, kelp, etc., you can also take some potassium salt tablets, but be sure to take them as directed by your doctor." The doctor advised.
After listening to the doctor's advice, Wang Ming suddenly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, he finally understood why he always felt tired and weak, it turned out that it was caused by potassium deficiency.
After Wang Ming returned home, he began to seriously adjust his diet, eating bananas, potatoes, and kelp every day, and specially bought some potassium salt tablets and took them according to the doctor's instructions.
After a few days, Wang Ming obviously felt that his physical condition was much better, he was no longer as tired and weak as before, and his spirit became more energetic.
"It seems that potassium supplementation is really useful!" Wang Ming said with emotion.
Wang Ming's story tells us that when we sweat a lot on a hot day, it is very important to replenish potassium. In addition to eating more potassium-rich foods, it is also important to stay hydrated and get enough sleep so that you can better survive the hot summer.
Learn more about potassium supplementation
Potassium is one of the essential minerals and plays an important role in maintaining the normal physiological functions of the human body. Potassium is involved in the following important physiological processes:
Maintain fluid balance: Potassium is the main cation of intracellular fluids, and together with sodium, it maintains osmotic pressure and acid-base balance of body fluids.
Maintain neuromuscular excitability: Potassium is involved in the conduction of nerve impulses and the contraction of muscles, and potassium deficiency will lead to a decrease in neuromuscular excitability, resulting in muscle weakness, fatigue, cramps and other symptoms.
Regulates heart rhythm: Potassium is involved in the normal beating of the heart, and potassium deficiency can lead to arrhythmias, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest.
Regulates blood pressure: Potassium can help lower blood pressure and prevent the onset of high blood pressure.
Promote carbohydrate metabolism: Potassium is involved in the synthesis and breakdown of glycogen, and potassium deficiency can lead to glucose metabolism disorders and affect blood sugar control.
Who is susceptible to potassium deficiency?
Heavy sweaters: In hot summer weather, heavy sweating can lead to excessive potassium loss.
People with diarrhea or vomiting: Diarrhea or vomiting can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, leading to potassium loss.
Those taking diuretics: Diuretics promote urine excretion, leading to potassium loss.
Long-term consumption of a low-potassium diet: Long-term consumption of a low-potassium diet based on polished rice and white flour will lead to insufficient potassium stores in the body.
Patients with chronic kidney disease: patients with kidney disease have impaired renal function, resulting in impaired potassium excretion and predisposing to hyperkalemia.
How can potassium deficiency be prevented?
Eat a balanced diet: Eat more potassium-rich foods such as bananas, potatoes, kelp, spinach, tomatoes, beans, etc.
Replenish water: In hot summer weather, it is necessary to replenish water in time to avoid dehydration.
Pay attention to rest: Get enough sleep and avoid overexertion.
Regular physical examination: Regular physical examination can detect problems such as potassium deficiency in time and treat them accordingly.
Disclaimer: This article is for reference only, and the medical knowledge described is true and well-founded, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any health problems, please consult a doctor or other
bibliography
1. Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2016)
2. Dietary Guidelines of the Chinese Nutrition Society
3. Clinical manifestations and treatment of potassium deficiency