Potassium

[Aodhan]

what does potassium do for you?

As I explained in my post, potassium is a body electrolyte that plays a very key role in muscle cell contraction. This includes all muscle cells, including the heart.

Potassium deficiency can lead to increased risk of cramps, heart arrythmias, etc.

Shotokan, it's difficult to know what is causing the "uncomfortable" feeling without knowing more, such as what is your basic diet, when/how much you eat, recent changes in diet/training, etc.

There are innumerable reasons you could be feeling "uncomfortable".

Aodhan

[Sohan]

lol getaway thats what i'm trying to find out. I constantly have an upset stomach, it's not so much pain just an 'uncomfortable' and 'off' feeling and i hate it thats why i made this post on potassium and the other one on salt. I want to try and eat the right foods.

Kez xx

If you have an upset stomach on a regular basis, you should probably see a doctor rather than bank on advice from a message board. Your problem could be a number of things, few of which any of us are in a position or qualified to diagnose.

With respect,

Sohan

[Shotokan-kez]

Yeah cheers Sohan i have seen the doc already it's been a long thing going on but he keeps putting me on meds, he just thinks i'm on a dodgy diet cos i get heartburn as well. Thanks for the advice hun.

Kez xx

[Sohan]

Hmm. If you have heartburn, what are you taking for it? You really need to tame that beast or you can severely damage your esophagus. The cells that replace damaged ones in the esophageal lining can become cancerous later in life---not a good combo with your smoking history.

This is an interesting article about GERD and cancer:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11930613/

With respect,

Sohan

[Shotokan-kez]

Thanks for that. I am taking Lanzeprazole. I have been hospital to see about having a camera down and they told me i didnt need it because there are no other symptoms but heartburn...so it's basically being controlled by meds.

Kez xx

[Sohan]

That's a pretty strong acid reducer. Be aware, though, that you can develop Barrett's esophagus and not have any symptoms if your esophagus has been severely scarred from prior heartburn episodes. That HCl is nasty stuff--eats right through esophageal tissue in no time flat. If you are fairly young, you are probably not at great risk yet, but if you can afford it a look down the tube wouldn't be a bad idea.

Diet modifications can help dramatically. Stopping smoking will make a big difference. Avoiding acid-creating foods such as apples, grapes, wine, pineapple, and tea and coffee help tremendously. Eating instead rice, pasta, cous cous, chicken, chickpeas, whole wheat bread, and fresh vegetables will also make a difference. A daily food diary can help you determine what is not agreeing with you. Take a look also at the fat content of items you buy and you will be shocked---excessive fat intake will aggrevate the stomach lining too. Don't eat within two hours of bedtime and never eat and then go lie down to watch TV or read.

You probably already know all this stuff, but I started typing and the fingers just wouldn't quit.

With respect,

Sohan