The mineral potassium is an essential mineral which must be consumed in the diet. It performs many essential functions in the human body; it is also one of the most abundant minerals found in the human body. The total content of potassium in a person weighing 150-pounds is approximately 250 grams or nine ounces. Potassium is essential to the functioning of many important cellular enzyme systems. This mineral is also vital for proper nerve excitation and contraction in muscular tissues. Physical symptoms like persistent and generalized muscular weakness and an increased nervous irritability are evident in a person affected by a potassium deficiency. Symptoms such as persistent mental disorientation and irregularities in cardiac rhythm are also possible in such a situation. There are other severe problems associated with a greatly reduced potassium ion concentration in the blood, these include incidence of ventricular fibrillation, in this condition the heart muscles are given to vibrate rather than pumping blood normally - this disorder can induce sudden death and is considered extremely serious. Symptoms such as muscular deterioration and muscle weakness, as well as periodic paralysis are quite common during potassium deficiency.