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Potassium Aspartate is used as a mineral transporter to the metabolizing cells, aiding in metabolic process by replenishing potassium. thereby contributing to efficient production. Potassium when associated with l-aspartic acid independently interacts with various substances in the body and participates in various physiological processes. Potassium aspartate is a safe, tolerant bioavailable delivery form of both potassium and aspartate moiety, both of which play a vital role in human nutrition in general and sports nutrition, in particular.



Nutritional significance of Potassium Potassium comprises about 5 percent of the body’s mineral content, making it the body’s third most abundant element. About 98 percent of the body’s potassium is found inside the cells, but as part of its normal action, it briefly changes places with the sodium that circulates in the fluid surrounding cells. It can also leak through the cell membranes, which have a very efficient pumping system to carry it back into their interior. This pumping action is important because if all the body’s potassium suddenly surged into the bloodstream, it would stop the heart.

Potassium is a mineral that is classified as an electrolyte, a substance that has electrical properties when it is dissolved in the fluid part of the blood.

Potassium is an essential macromineral in human nutrition with a wide range of biochemical and physiological roles. Among other things, it is important in the transmission of nerve impulses, the contraction of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscles, the production energy, the synthesis of nucleic acids, the maintenance of intracellular tonicity and the maintenance of normal blood pressure. In 1928, it was first suggested that the high potassium intake could exert an anti-hypertensive effect. Accumulating evidence suggests that diets high in potassium may be protective not only against hypertension, but also stroke and cardiovascular diseases, as well.

Potassium works closely with sodium to maintain the body’s proper balance of fluid and acid-base; specifically, potassium controls the amount of fluid inside the cells while sodium maintains the balance of fluid outside the cells.

Functions of Potassium

Potassium is involved in maintaining the body’s fluid and acid-base balances. It also is essential for proper muscle function and various metabolic processes

Conducting nerve impulses and regulating muscle function: The positively charged potassium ion helps carry nerve messages to the muscles. It then prompts the muscles to relax following a contraction.

Regulating the heartbeat and blood pressure: Potassium regulates the heartbeat by allowing the heart muscle to relax after calcium stimulates it to contract. It is not fully understood how potassium helps control blood pressure, but studies have found that people whose diet provides ample potassium have a reduced risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks.

Aiding in energy metabolism: Potassium is needed to help convert blood sugar that is not needed immediately into glycogen, a form of stored energy in the liver and muscle tissue. It is also instrumental in the secretion of insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose metabolism. Potassium’s other metabolic functions include protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and various enzyme actions.

Nutritional significance of Aspartate moiety

L- Aspartic acid is a protein amino acid naturally found in all life forms. L-Aspartic acid is considered a non-essential amino acid, meaning that, under normal physiological conditions, sufficient amount of the amino acid is synthesized in the body to meet the body's requirements. L-Aspartate is formed by the transamination of the Krebs cycle intermediate oxaloacetate. The amino acid serves as a precursor for synthesis of proteins, Oligopeptides, purines, pyrmidines, nucleic acids and L-arginine. L-Aspartate is a glycogenic amino acid, and it can also promote energy production via its metabolism in the Krebs cycle.

The Aspartate moiety is reported to reduce oxygen consumption by the cells during the energy cycle. Aspartic acid is a metabolic intermediate in several biochemical pathways in the body, including the tricarboxylic acid and urea cycle.

Following ingestion, L-Aspartate is absorbed from the small intestine by an active transport process. Following absorption, L-Aspartate enters the portal circulation and from there it is transported to the liver, where much of it is metabolized to protein, purines, pyrmidines and L-arginine, and is catabolized as well. L-Aspartate is not metabolized in the liver, it enters the systemic circulation, which distributes it to various tissues of the body. The cations associated with L-Aspartate independently interact with various substances in the body and participate in various physiological processes.

Advantages of Potassium Aspartate as a nutritional supplement

It is hypothesized that L-Aspartate salts, spares stores of muscle glycogen and/or promotes a faster rate of glycogen re-synthesis during exercise by serving as a substrate for energy production in the Krebs cycle and for stimulating the purine nucleotide cycle.

Supplementary potassium is used to treat depletion states, e.g., from prolonged use of diuretics. It is also used to prevent potassium depletion in those on diuretics. Potassium may also have anti-hypertensive and cerbrovascular- and cardiovascular-protective activities.

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between potassium intake and blood pressure. A major meta-analysis designed to assess the effects of potassium supplements on blood pressure examined data from 33 randomized, controlled trials involving 2,609 subjects. The researchers concluded that low potassium intake may be an important contributor to hypertension and that increased potassium intake can both prevent and treat hypertension, particularly in those who cannot or will not reduce their sodium intake.

Studies have shown that diets high in potassium magnesium and fiber reduce the risk of strokes.

Potassium supplementation has specifically been inversely associated with the risk of stroke, especially among hypertensive men.== References ==