A movement disorder characterized by defective muscular coordination of cortical (brain) origin.

A malignancy arising in the esophagus.

A genetically determined immunodeficiency disorder characterized by the onset of recurrent bacterial infections resulting from markedly decreased immunoglobulin antibody levels.

Functional or organic changes resulting from diabetes affecting every organ of the GI tract.

What Is Potassium?

P otassium is a mineral that is crucial for life being essential for every cell, especially nerve and muscle function.

Most potassium is intracellular, meaning it is found within cells while sodium, its opposing mineral (both electrolytes), is found in the fluid surrounding cells.

In muscle contraction, exchange of potassium and sodium takes place so that potassium moves out of muscle cells and sodium moves into them.

With muscle relaxation, potassium moves back into the cells and sodium moves out. Functions are described below.

Importantly, a recent study investigating the association between the metabolic syndrome and potassium intake in the general population found a significant inverse association between potassium intake and metabolic syndrome in adults. That is, the lower the potassium intake, the greater the odds of developing metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for various lifestyle and dietary confounders, subjects in the highest quartile of potassium intake had 39% lower odds for metabolic syndrome compared to those in the lowest quartile. This association was consistent for both sexes. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, potassium intake was inversely related to abdominal obesity and fasting hyperglycemia in multivariate analysis.¹

What Is Potassium Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Shin D, Joh HK, Kim KH, Park SM. Benefits of potassium intake on metabolic syndrome: The fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). Atherosclerosis. 2013 Sep;230(1):80-5. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.06.025. [↩]

A reduced desire to eat which can result in unintentional weight loss.

A non-progressive psychiatric syndrome appearing in childhood characterized by significantly abnormal withdrawal from communication with others often accompanied by repetitive or primitive behaviors.

Signifies a higher than normal risk of developing cancer.

Malformations present in the infant at birth.

A small intestinal disorder characterized by excessively rapid movement of intestinal contents through the small intestine with excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes that leads rapidly to a life threatening hypokalemia (low potassium blood level).