Heavy, persistent sweating, chronic diarrhea or vomiting, trauma or kidney disease may cause deficiencies. It also helps maintain normal blood pressure, transmit nerve impulses and contract muscles. Prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, laxative use or kidney problems can result in deficiencies of potassium. Symptoms include weakness, appetite loss, nausea and fatigue. Particularly good sources include apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, oranges, prunes, strawberries, potatoes, tomatoes and dried fruits.
Sodium helps regulate movement of fluids in and out of body cells.
It also helps transmit nerve impulses, regulate blood pressure and relax muscles. Unlikely, except with chronic diarrhea, vomiting or kidney problems. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness and muscle cramps. Another 25 percent comes from table salt. Only a small amount occurs naturally in food.