Deficiencies Caused by IBD
Due to the nature of IBD, our bodies become deficient in
many minerals/vitamins ~~ it is important to be aware of these deficiencies, recognise warning signs, and take steps to avoid them.
(A summary of notes taken from HEALTHWORLD ONLINE excerpted from ‘Staying Healthy with Nutrition’)
Potassium is a very significant body mineral, important to both cellular and electrical function. It is one of the main blood minerals called “electrolytes” (the others are sodium and chloride), which means it carries a tiny electrical charge (potential). Potassium is the primary positive ion (cation) found within the cells, where 98% of the 120 grams of potassium in the body is found. The blood serum contains about 4-5 mg. (per 100ml.) of the total potassium; the red blood cells contain 420 mg., which is why a red-blood-cell level is a better indication of an individual’s potassium status than the commonly used serum level.
Magnesium helps maintain the potassium in the cells, but the sodium and potassium balance is as finely tuned as those of calcium and phosphorus, or calcium and magnesium.
The natural diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains is rich in potassium and low in sodium, helping to maintain normal blood pressure.
Potassium is well absorbed from the small intestine, …. with about 90 % absorption, …. but is one of the most soluble minerals, so it is easily lost in cooking and processing foods. Most excess potassium is eliminated in the urine; .. & some is eliminated in the sweat. When we perspire a great deal, we should replace our fluids with orange juice or vegetable juice containing potassium rather than just taking salt tablets. The kidneys are the chief regulators of our body potassium, keeping the blood levels steady even with wide variation in intake. Alcohol, coffee, (and caffeine drinks), sugar, and diuretic drugs, however, cause potassium losses and can contribute to lowering the blood potassium. This mineral is also lost with vomiting and diarrhoea
SOURCES:
Potassium is found in a wide range of foods. Many fruits and vegetables are high in potassium and low in sodium. Most of the potassium is lost when processing or canning foods, while less is lost from frozen fruits or vegetables. Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, parsley, and lettuce, as well as broccoli, peas, lima beans, tomatoes, and potatoes, especially the skins, all have significant levels of potassium. Fruits that contain this mineral include oranges and other citrus fruits, bananas, apples, avocados, raisins, and apricots, (particularly dried,) Whole grains, wheat germ, seeds, and nuts are high-potassium foods. Fish such as flounder, salmon, sardines, and cod are rich in potassium, and many meat foods contain even more potassium than sodium, although they often have additional sodium added as salt. One excellent source is coconut water, there is over 400mg in a 250ml tetra pak.
FUNCTIONS:
Potassium is very important in the human body. Along with sodium, it regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in the blood and tissues. Potassium enters the cell more readily than does sodium and instigates the brief sodium-potassium exchange across the cell membranes. In the nerve cells, this sodium-potassium flux generates the electrical potential that aids the conduction of nerve impulses. When potassium leaves the cell, it changes the membrane potential and allows the nerve impulse to progress. This electrical potential gradient, created by the “sodium-potassium pump,” helps generate muscle contractions, and regulates the heartbeat.
TOXICITY:
Elevations or depletions, of this important mineral can cause problems and, maintaining consistent levels of potassium in the blood and cells is vital to body function, but with high intakes of potassium the kidneys will clear any excess, and blood levels will not be increased. For elevated potassium levels to occur, there must usually be other factors involved; decrease in renal function is the most likely cause.Major infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and rapid protein breakdown also may cause elevated potassium levels. Cardiac function is affected ,electrocardiogram changes can be seen in this condition.
DEFICIENCY:
Maintaining consistent levels of potassium in the blood and cells is vital to body function. Deficiency of potassium is much more common, especially with aging or chronic disease. Some common problems that have been associated with low potassium levels include hypertension, fatigue, and depression and other mood changes. Many factors reduce body levels of potassium. Diarrhea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems may rapidly reduce potassium, long-term use of laxatives, aspirin, digitalis, and cortisone may also deplete potassium. Heat waves and profuse sweating can cause potassium loss and lead to dehydration, with potassium leaving the cells along with sodium and being lost in the urine. This can generate some of the symptoms associated with low potassium; most people helped rapidly with potassium supplements, or potassium-rich foods. People who consume excess sodium or lots of sugar may also become low in potassium. Fatigue is the most common symptom, muscle weakness, slow reflexes, dry skin or acne. may progress to nervous disorders, insomnia, slow or irregular heartbeat, and loss of gastrointestinal tone. There can be serious muscle weakness, bone fragility, central nervous system changes, & decreased heart rate.
Updated July 2003