Risk of death can be reduced by foods rich in potassium

Nutrition Health Review, Fall, 1989

Risk of Death Can Be Reduced By Foods Rich in Potassium

A California study recommends daily diet of fruits and vegetables

For vegetarians, the news is gratifying; for others, it will come as further confirmation that foods rich in potassium can prevent stroke and other degenerative diseases.

A high intake of dietary potassium, found in fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, may reduce the incidence of stroke by more than 40%.

There are a few of the facts that Dr. Kay-Tee Khaw, professor of clinical gerontology at Cambridge University, presented to a meeting of the American Society of Hypertension in New York City recently.

Dr. Khaw also noted that the beneficial effect of potassium was consistent for both men and women, the young and the elderly.

Potassium is essential for normal growth, for muscle function, and to preserve the balance of alkaline in the body fluids. It is also crucial in keeping sodium levels in the body in proper proportion.

Medical science has amassed a body of information that will change the concept of high blood pressure and its relationship to salt. The role of potassium in modifying sodium chloride's effects is leading researchers to emphasize potassium in hypertension therapy. As potassium diminishes, sodium levels rise.

Potassium has been revealed as helpful in balancing blood sugar ratios in mild diabetes cases. Kidney malfunctioning is often treated with administration of potassium supplements. A diligent physician will always prescribe foods containing the mineral during diuretic therapy.

The value of potassium supplementation should be emphasized to the elderly, who have difficulty maintaining well-balanced diets. Studies have revealed that residents of homes for the aged, where dietary knowledge is inadequate, suffer from potassium depletion.