Potassium Homeostasis: The Knowns, the Unknowns, and the Health Benefits

Abstract

Potassium homeostasis has a very high priority because of its importance for membrane potential. Although extracellular K⁺ is only 2% of total body K⁺, our physiology was evolutionarily tuned for a high-K⁺, low-Na⁺ diet. We review how multiple systems interface to accomplish fine K⁺ balance and the consequences for health and disease.