It enables nerves and muscles to function and regulates fluid levels within the cells. Deficiency leads to erratic heartbeat and fatigue. A normal, balanced diet should provide sufficient potassium for health. However, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia and over exercise may lead to deficiency. Diuretics also lead to loss of potassium, so women who use diuretics to counteract water retention around the time of their period or those prescribed them for high blood pressure may also be at risk of deficiency.
Tea is a rich source of potassium.
Although the oxygen we breath is vital to life, it is also incorporated into very reactive substances called free radicals which are harmful to our bodies. Free radicals cause damage to the components of our cells and have been implicated in the slow chain reaction of damage leading to heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants in our diet help to prevent and repair the damage caused by free radical attack. The best known antioxidants are vitamins C, E and beta carotene, found in fruit, vegetables, cereals and vegetable oils. These are known as the 'ACE' vitamins.