Losing potassium could provoke diabetes

According to recent reports from researchers at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, a drop in potassium levels in the blood, often provoked by blood pressure drugs, could account for why those taking this medication face a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes .
The drugs, diuretics, accelerate a loss of fluids but also deplete vital chemicals. Those people taking the drugs are advised to eat bananas and other potassium-rich foods to keep their levels constant.
The lead researcher on the study, Tariq Shafi, reportedly commented: “Previous studies have told us that when patients take diuretic thiazides, potassium levels drop and the risk of diabetes climbs to 50 percent. Now, for the first time, we think we have concrete information connecting the dots. This study shows us that as long as physicians monitor and regulate potassium levels, thiazides could be used safely, saving patients thousands of dollars a year. It could be as simple as increasing the consumption of potassium-rich foods like bananas and oranges and/or reducing salt intake, both of which will keep potassium from dropping.”