Everyone suffers from it from time to time: sleepless nights. For some people, insomnia lasts only a few days, but most suffer from it for a long time. This can end up causing chronic sleep deprivation, which in turn can lead to all kinds of health problems. Did you know that the most common cause of sleep disturbances is vitamin deficiency? Below, you can read more about the potassium vitamin and how it can help you sleep well at night.
What is insomnia?
Poor sleep can consist of various symptoms, such as staying awake for a long time, waking up too early, or sleeping through the night. This makes you feel tired during the day and sometimes irritable. The cause of insomnia is often difficult to find. For example, you may develop sleep problems due to tension/stress or other psychological complaints such as depression and/or anxiety. Sometimes, physical discomfort influences, for example, if you suffer from chest tightness, cough, palpitations, night sweats, itching, or restless legs. Bad habits can also cause sleep disturbances. For example, if you have a disrupted day and night rhythm due to frequent travel or working irregular shifts, this can cause sleep problems. Additionally, substances such as tobacco, coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol, and chocolate negatively affect sleep. In some cases, a sleep disorder is responsible for sleep problems. You may suffer from sleep apnea, restless legs, delayed sleep phase syndrome, or narcolepsy. Potassium deficiency can also cause fatigue symptoms.
What is potassium?
Potassium is a mineral salt responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses and the regulation of blood pressure. A normal potassium level ranges between 2.5 and 5.1 mmol/liter. The body absorbs potassium through foods and drinks such as bananas, avocado, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, and cabbage. The kidneys regulate the amount of potassium absorbed by the body. If there is an excess of potassium, the kidneys ensure it is excreted. Therefore, it is unlikely that your body has an excess of potassium. A potassium deficiency, also known as hypokalemia, rarely occurs as a result of too low food intake. If there is a potassium deficiency, it may be due to the use of diuretics, bronchodilators, or laxatives. Vomiting (also due to eating disorders), diarrhea, and prolonged malnutrition can also cause potassium deficiency. (Excessive) consumption of licorice can also cause potassium deficiency and increased blood pressure. Finally, increased production of aldosterone can cause potassium deficiency because this hormone stimulates the kidneys to lose excess potassium through urine.
How does potassium help you sleep better at night?
People often think of magnesium or melatonin to help them sleep. However, potassium also plays an important role in the sleep-wake rhythm and works well alongside magnesium. There is also a proven link between deeper sleep in the sleep cycle and potassium. The body needs enough potassium to function properly because, together with sodium (salt), potassium ensures that cells absorb and secrete the appropriate substances. Potassium ions enter through potassium channels. Potassium channels ensure a stable resting potential by allowing the membrane potential to return to the resting potential after an action potential. Our sleep improves when there is a good balance between these signals, something in which potassium plays an important role.
