Henry D. Solatorio Jr.

Biochemistry
BSN 1-C

DESCRIPTION ELEMENT

POTASSIUM IODINE

Active Form  In dietary supplements,  Iodide, supplied by food, is bound to

potassium is often present as
potassium chloride, but many
other forms—including potassium
citrate, phosphate.
serum proteins, especially to albumin.
Uncoupled iodide is excreted via the
urine (70%) and a minor part is
excreted via the gastrointestinal
system.

Function  Potassium is a mineral that the  Promoting thyroid health

human body needs to work
properly.
 It is a type of electrolyte.
 It helps your nerves to function
and muscles to contract.
 It helps your heartbeat stay
regular.
 Reducing risk for some goiters
 Managing overactive thyroid gland
 Neurodevelopment during pregnancy
 Improving cognitive function
 Treating infections

Sources  Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe,  Fish (such as cod and tuna)

honeydew, apricots, grapefruit  Seaweed
(some dried fruits, such as  Shrimp and other seafood
prunes, raisins, and dates, are  Dairy products (such as milk, yogurt,
also high in potassium) and cheese)
 Cooked spinach  Iodized salt
 Cooked broccoli
 Potatoes
 Sweet potatoes
 Mushrooms
 Peas
 Cucumbers

Recommended  One’s daily potassium needs can

Dietary Allowance
110
depend on a variety of factors, birth–6 months
including your health status, mcg
activity level and ethnicity.
infants between 7–12 130
 Even though there isn’t an RDI for months mcg
potassium, organizations around
the world have recommended
children 1–8 years old 90 mcg
consuming at least 3,500 mg per
day through food.
120
children 9–13 years old
mcg

adults and teens, 14 and 150

older mcg

220
pregnant women
mcg

Deficiency/ies  Hypokalemia (low potassium)
Signs/Symptoms  extreme fatigue
 muscle spasms, weakness, or
cramping
 irregular heartbeat
 constipation, nausea, or vomiting
Toxicity  Potassium clearly has its potential
for risks including life-threatening
hyperkalaemia (too much
potassium) and cardiac arrest.
290
nursing women
mcg
 Iodine deficiency is a lack of the trace
element iodine, an essential nutrient
in the diet. It may result in metabolic
problems.
 goiter
 difficulty of breathing
 unexpected weight gain
 fatigue and weakness
 hair loss
 dry, flaky skin
 feeling colder than usual
 changes in heart rate
 trouble learning and remembering
 Iodine toxicity can eventually cause
iodide goiter, hypothyroidism, or
myxedema.
 Very large amounts of iodide may
cause a brassy taste in the mouth,
increased salivation, gastrointestinal
irritation, and acneiform skin lesions.
Good afternoon/ good evening to our instructor, Sir Bayron and to my colleagues,
Marians, Praised be Jesus and Mary.

As our knowledge of the chemistry of living systems or biochemistry increases, we

learn more about essential elements. Living organisms are made of chemical
elements, and so are the things they consume in order to remain alive. The human
body for an instance, contains at least 60 detectable chemical elements, however,
only about 25 of these elements are believed to participate in the healthy functioning
of the human body.

I was given the task to do an extensive reading and hence scrutinize the role of two, if
not the most, essential elements that play a vital role in our bodiesPotassium and
Iodine.

With atomic number 19 in the periodic table, Potassium, with chemical symbol K and
classified as an alkali metal is the eighth most common element by mass (0.2%) in the
human body. Its active form is _______________________.

Its function includes:

 I is a mineral that the human body needs to work properly.
 It is a type of electrolyte.
 It helps your nerves to function and muscles to contract.
 It helps your heartbeat stay regular.

Now, where can a person look for sources for this essential element? These are the
following:
 Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as
prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium)
 Cooked spinach
 Cooked broccoli
 Potatoes
 Sweet potatoes
 Mushrooms
 Peas
 Cucumbers

 One’s daily potassium needs can depend on a variety of factors, including your health
status, activity level and ethnicity.

 Even though there isn’t an RDI for potassium, organizations around the world have
recommended consuming at least 3,500 mg per day through food.

On the contrary, low or lack of potassium in the body can cause bodily effects. One of
which is Hypokalemia (low potassium).

Signs and symptoms include:

 extreme fatigue
 muscle spasms, weakness, or cramping
 irregular heartbeat
 constipation, nausea, or vomiting

Meanwhile, if too much potassium is consumed in the body, it can also cause health
problems and risks including life-threatening hyperkalaemia (too much potassium) and cardiac
arrest.

The second element that I will be presenting has the atomic number of 53 and has the
symbol I which stands for Iodine.

Its active form is ____________________________________________.

The function of this element are the following:

 Promoting thyroid health

 Reducing risk for some goiters
 Managing overactive thyroid gland
 Neurodevelopment during pregnancy
 Improving cognitive function
 Treating infections

With the enumerated benefits a person can get from it, sources of it are also readily
available which includes:
 Fish (such as cod and tuna)
 Seaweed
 Shrimp and other seafood
 Dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese)
 Iodized salt

For the RDI, Iodine has this table to explain the recommended intake for this element.

birth–6 months 110 mcg

infants between 7–12 months 130 mcg

children 1–8 years old 90 mcg

children 9–13 years old 120 mcg

adults and teens, 14 and

150 mcg
older

pregnant women 220 mcg

nursing women 290 mcg

Iodine deficiency is a lack of the trace element iodine, an essential nutrient in the diet. It may result
in metabolic problems.

The signs and symptoms of this deficiency include:

 goiter
 difficulty of breathing
 unexpected weight gain
 fatigue and weakness
 hair loss
 dry, flaky skin
 feeling colder than usual
 changes in heart rate
 trouble learning and remembering

 Too much intake of iodine can eventually cause iodide goiter, hypothyroidism, or
myxedema.
 Very large amounts of iodide may cause a brassy taste in the mouth, increased salivation,
gastrointestinal irritation, and acneiform skin lesions.

Hearing all of these essential facts from these two elements, Potassium and Iodine, one
may now think to reorganize and revisit their diet and consumption which should be
geared towards healthy and progressive functioning of our bodily systems. Thank you for
listening. God bless us all. Good afternoon/ evening.