Potassium deficiency increases the chances of sudden death, so there is no problem in saying “life-threatening” in this sense. In the human body, potassium is an indispensable macronutrient, the normal content of which is about 150 grams, of which 1 gram of potassium can “determine life and death”. Potassium regulates the osmotic pressure in cells and the acid-base balance of body fluids, and participates in the metabolism of intracellular sugar and protein. It helps to maintain nerve health, normalize heartbeat, prevent strokes, and assist normal muscle contraction. Potassium has a blood pressure-lowering effect when high sodium intake leads to high blood pressure. A potassium deficiency of 0.5 grams will increase the chance of sudden death! Potassium deficiency in the human body can cause irregular and accelerated heartbeat, abnormal electrocardiograms, muscle weakness and irritability, and eventually cardiac arrest. Therefore, 1 gram of potassium is the difference between life and death. What are the causes of potassium deficiency? Heavy sweating We see that athletes do not drink water directly after heavy sweating, but rather take a functional drink, because we sweat away ions such as potassium, sodium and calcium from our body. We can also replenish potassium through light saline water after exercising and sweating. Diarrhea Excretion of more than 1 liter a day causes potassium loss. Potassium loss in diarrhea is 10-20 times higher than usual, and if you have diarrhea more than 5 times a day, it can be life threatening. Therefore, drinking water alone after diarrhea is not an option, otherwise hypokalemia is easily caused and oral rehydration salts should be drunk. When hypokalemia occurs, insulin can be injected in the acute stage and glucose solution can be injected intravenously. Hypokalemia should pay attention to dietary habits, avoid high-sugar diet, eat foods rich in potassium, potassium in the human body mainly comes from food. Eat more beans (such as black beans, kidney beans, fresh peas), lean meat, dairy products, eggs, potatoes, tea, sunflower seeds, grains, raisins, green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, beets, etc.), fruits (such as bananas, oranges, lemons, apricots, plums, nectarines) and so on, which are rich in potassium.