Potassium is necessary for maintaining good health. Fresh, unprocessed foods such as meats, seafood, potatoes, dried apricots, orange juice, dairy products, and whole grains can all contain it. It has a crucial role to play in the growth of muscles. In order to maintain voltage across cell membranes and transfer electrical impulses, such as nerve impulses, to other regions of the body, potassium, also known as an electrolyte, is necessary.
Hyperkalemia is a condition where the body has too much potassium.The presence of side effects including disquietude, palpitations, and muscle shortcoming shows hyperkalemia in the patient.The reverse case, hypokalemia, is depicted by low blood potassium, which is similarly a bet factor for diabetes.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that taking a potassium supplement alone can prevent diabetes. According to the research, raising potassium levels through the consumption of potassium-rich foods and supplements helps prevent diabetes.
A total of 12,000 participants assist Hsin-Chieh “Jessica” Yeh, Ph.D., the study’s director and assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. More than 2000 African Americans are at risk of type 2 diabetes due to low average potassium levels, according to data collected between 1987 and 1996. The individuals’ chance of developing diabetes decreased as they reduced their potassium intake.
According to Yeh and her team’s research, diabetes risk factors include low potassium levels in the blood. They discovered that potassium can contribute to greater glucose and insulin levels, two characteristics of diabetes.
According to the study, Americans of African descent consume less potassium in their diets than Americans of European descent.
A blood sample is collected by the doctor to establish whether someone is deficient in potassium. Based on the results of the blood test, the doctor will make a decision.
To find out if additional supplements and diet are actually necessary for the prevention of diabetes, more research is required. If this is the case, it would demonstrate a low-cost method for the disease’s prevention.
As of right now, keeping a healthy weight would help people from developing diabetes. The person’s optimum weight is determined by their BMI rather than just their weight (Body Mass Index). A BMI chart is required to determine a person’s ideal BMI.
how are potassium levels checked :
The amount of potassium in your blood or urine is measured by a potassium test. The balance of the body’s electrolytes and water is maintained by potassium. Additionally, it affects how the heart, muscles, and nerves function.
A blood test or a urine test can be used to measure potassium levels. One urine sample can be used to test urine potassium levels. But it is often determined by analyzing a 24-hour urine sample. If a urine or blood sample is required, your doctor will make that decision.
How do you prepare for the test ?
- Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, there is often nothing you need to do before this test.
- Your doctor or lab will often provide you with a sizable container that holds around 4 L for 24-hour urine collection (1 gal).
How is the test done ?
- a blood test
A medical professional draws blood, typically from the arm, using a needle.
- test of urine
A single urine sample or pee collected over the course of 24 hours can be used for a urine test. A single urine sample can be collected at home or in a doctor’s office. At home, a 24-hour sample is taken.
How to do the test
For example, during the course of four or twenty-four hours, you collect your urine. You will be given a sizable container, roughly the size of a gallon, by your doctor. The container will be used to hold the urine collection.
- When you first get up, you empty your bladder.But don’t save this urine. Write down the time you began.
- Collect all of your pee for the designated amount of time. Collect your urine in a tiny, clean container each time you urinate throughout this time. Then pour the urine into the large container. Don’t touch the inside of either container with your fingers.
- Never include feces, pubic hair, toilet paper, menstrual blood, stool, or any other substance in your urine sample.
- Keep the collected urine in the refrigerator for the collection time.
- Empty your bladder for the last time at or just before the end of the collection period.Add this urine to the large container. Then write down the time.
How long does the test take?
It could take a few minutes to do a blood test or collect one time only urine. Alternately, you could collect your pee over the course of a day.
