Potassium and Sleep

Can Potassium Affect Your Body Clock?

According to a new study published in Nature Communications, human red blood cells (RBCs) circadian rhythms may be regulated by Potassium. Concentrations of Potassium in RBC increased during the day and declined at night.  These significant fluctuations in RBC Potassium levels followed the circadian rhythms. Pharmacological chemicals were used by researchers to either block or…

Potassium and Hardening of the Arteries

Dietary Potassium May Alleviate Hardening of the Arteries

A new mouse study recently published shows Potassium may protect against vascular calcification (hardening of the arteries).  Additionally increased aortic stiffness was also seen in the mouse model when compared with normal Potassium fed mice.  Arterial stiffness in humans is usually a predictor of heart disease and cardiovascular mortality. Mice prone to atherosclerosis were fed…

Magnesium and Dementia

Magnesium Status and Dementia: Is There a Link ?

A new study published in Neurology, shows people with either low or high blood levels of Magnesium may have a higher risk of developing dementia. Approximately 9,500 individuals participated in this prospective study.  Participants with an average age of 65 who did not have dementia were followed for an average of 8 years.  Serum Magnesium…

Hypertension

Dietary Potassium Linked with Lower Blood Pressure

A new meta-analysis of several population studies has found that increasing dietary potassium may help with supporting healthier blood pressure levels.  Researchers looked at the link between blood pressure and dietary potassium, sodium and the ratio between potassium and sodium. Researchers found that the higher the dietary potassium, measured from dietary recall and urinary excretion,…