Tingling and Numbness
Potassium helps to maintain the health of the nervous system, if it is lacking, there may be a tingling sensation [8] of needles or numbness in the limbs or other parts of the body.
A kind of pump constantly works in the body – a potassium-sodium pump. Its task is to accumulate positively charged potassium ions inside the cell, to pump out negatively charged sodium ions. This is necessary to maintain the potential difference across the cell membrane. As a result of the constantly changing ratio of potassium and sodium, an electrical potential is generated for the transmission of nerve impulses. If potassium is washed out of the cell, the potential of the cell membranes changes, which leads to the formation of electrical impulses.
This potential gradient, i.e. the potential difference created by the sodium-potassium pump causes contraction of muscle fibers and heart muscle. Violation of the transmission of nerve impulses is the cause of tingling and numbness [9] in the limbs.
Potassium deficiency can trigger paresthesia in the feet, legs, and arms in particular. Since potassium is essential for healthy nervous function, low potassium levels in the blood cause nerve signals to weaken, which can cause this unpleasant condition. While these symptoms are harmless, persistent tingling and numbness could be a sign of something more serious. The persistent occurrence of paresthesia is a good sign you need to see your doctor.