Potassium
Potassium is present in body cells and is associated with the function of muscles and nerves and with the metabolism of carbohydrates. Potassium plays a major role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, and cell integrity.
Deficiency of potassium is unusual except in cases of disease involving prolonged diarrhea. Potassium deficiency is characterized by an increase in blood pressure, salt sensitivity, kidney stone and bone turnover.
Sources of potassium include meats, eggs, oranges, and bananas.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus, an important of bones and teeth, is also associated with essential body lipids. Phosphorus also part of the major buffer system and also part of DNA and RNA and is therefore necessary for all growth.
Its intake should be in a ration 1:1 calcium/phosphorus. Sources of phosphorus are meats, fish, eggs, and nuts. Milk and cheese contribute about one-fourth of the phosphorus in the US diet.
Calcium
Calcium is essential in building and maintaining healthy bones and tooth structure and is necessary for the function of nerves and muscles. The human skeleton contains 99% of the body’s calcium in to major types of bone: trabecular bone, found in the vertebra and denser cortical bone.
Calcium is withdrawn from bone in order to maintain homeostasis.
Calcium is also required for the clotting of blood. Deficiency of calcium may lead to weak and flaccid muscles. Milk, cheeses, sardines, and canned salmon are especially good sources of calcium. Try raisins on cereal in the morning, eat low-fat yogurt in lunch or as mid-day snack.
Potassium/phosphorus/calcium – three importance macromineral
