Dear Reader,

Actually, bananas are only moderately high in potassium. Lots of other fresh foods are even better sources, including these:

Our estimated requirement for potassium is 2,000 mg/day. It's needed for a variety of body functions, including fluid balance, normalizing blood pressure, muscle contraction, and transmission of nerve impulses. Sweating during strenuous exercise, dieting, diuretic or laxative use, vomiting, or diarrhea can decrease our potassium levels. Severe losses can result in heart arrhythmias, confusion, nerve damage, and paralysis. Muscle weakness, cramping, and/or nausea may indicate a potassium deficiency. Including foods in your diet that are rich in potassium is the best way to replace any that is lost. Self-prescribing potassium supplements is not a good idea; only take them under the direction of a health care provider to avoid any potential dangers.

Alice

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