Causes of Potassium Deficiency

Potassium is an electrolyte the human body needs to perform electrical functions that regulate metabolism and the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The mineral also is important because it keeps the body's acid-base levels balanced. Potassium deficiency can disrupt the proper functioning of organs, muscles and cells. There are several causes for the deficit.

Poor Diet

• A diet poor in potassium can contribute to a deficiency in your body. Prolonged periods of low potassium in your diet could create hypokalemia, a condition where despite what you eat, the body is not able to maintain necessary daily potassium levels. The condition can cause fatigue, memory loss, anxiety and sleeplessness. Most natural foods contain even a small amount of potassium; however, certain foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk and some meats have high percentages of the mineral. Eaten in balance, these foods prevent potassium levels from becoming too low or too high. To avoid hypokalemia and other health issues related to potassium deficiency, eat a balanced diet rich in fish, particularly salmon, cod and flounder. Soy products, broccoli, tomatoes, bananas, apricots and yogurt are also excellent food staples that prevent potassium deficiency. Consuming lots of licorice and chewing tobacco that contains glycyrrhetinic acid can interfere with the body's ability to absorb potassium.

Diuretics and Diarrhea

• Water pills or diuretics flush potassium out of cells. Consuming diuretics is considered to be one of the leading causes of hypokalemia. If you are taking water pills, consult with your physician to have your blood checked to ensure that your potassium levels have not dropped too low. Diarrhea eliminates potassium and other vitamins and minerals from the body which is a reason that people feel sluggish and fatigued while they have the condition. Using laxatives can also reduce potassium levels.

Kidney Diseases

• Kidney-related diseases like Liddle, Bartter and Cushing's syndromes weaken the body's ability to maintain adequate potassium levels. The diseases are generally due to genetics and often begin during childhood. Blood tests and kidney biopsies can disclose the illness. If you have experienced kidney failure and are on dialysis, you should consult your physician before increasing your potassium intake as high potassium levels can have a negative impact on the kidneys.

Medication

• Besides diuretics, which are sometimes used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure, medications like thiazide, sodium penicillin, corticosteroids and adrenal hormones can interfere with the body's ability to absorb potassium. Ion exchange resins, medicines often used to lower cholesterol and insulin, can also cause potassium deficiency.

Considerations

• Imbalanced potassium levels can cause severe health conditions. Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia force vitamins and minerals out of the body and can contribute to potassium deficiency. Excessive outdoor exercise, particularly during the hottest times of the day, causes you to sweat profusely. Combined, the two make it difficult for your body to maintain healthy potassium levels. To counter the loss, consider exercising indoors or during early morning or evening hours, and drink plenty of fluids that contain vitamins and minerals.