Potassium
Potassium deficiency does not occur in athletes unless they are trying to control weight by vomiting.
A few years ago, one of the best female long-distance runners in
the country came to me to find a cause for her sudden drop in
performance. All tests I ordered were normal except for a low
blood level of potassium. The most common cause of potassium
deficiency is vomiting, but she repeatedly denied doing this. I
then requested that she collect her urine for one day, and the
laboratory reported that it contained three times as much
potassium as normal. This proved that she was bulimic. To
control her weight, she was sticking her finger down her throat
and making herself throw up. After she was able to accept the
diagnosis, she got help, stopped vomiting and went on to win
several long distance running titles.
The kidneys and sweat glands conserve potassium so
effectively in response to low body levels that potassium
deficiency rarely occurs in healthy athletes. Even with prolonged
exercise in very hot weather, potassium needs can be met by
eating a normal diet because potassium is found in virtually all
foods except refined sugar. On the other hand, potassium
deficiency can be caused by drugs, such as diuretics and
corticosteroids. It can also be caused by diarrhea or repeated
vomiting. With diarrhea, potassium is lost in the stool. With
vomiting, potassium is lost in the urine. In both athletes and non-
athletes, the most common cause of low potassium blood levels
and high potassium urine levels is vomiting.
Checked 9/9/10