I am interested in the phenomenon of refeeding syndrome and finding (creating if necessary) tools that can help the surgical patients while they are back home from the hospital, to raise their awareness about their engagement in the recuperation process regarding their eating behavior.
I would consider links between stress and insulin resistance. In a highly stressed state, a person might need to overshoot the mark with insulin production, and insulin does increase the entry of potassium into cells. If you took a blood sample, that person would appear pretty hypokalemic.
A little googling around turned up some articles that might be helpful. Here they stressed some mice out pretty terribly. In response to the same amount of glucose the stressed mice didn't clear it very well, which could mean they either aren't making enough insulin, or they're insulin resistant. But in response to the same amount of insulin, the stressed mice were less affected, so it's got to be insulin resistance (not insufficiency). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23444388
I'm definitely not an expert on refeeding syndrome, but it's a very interesting question. I hope this is possibly helpful, and that other people chime in with their own ideas!
Dear Roxana,
Check this out:
THE SODIUM/POTASSIUM RATIO
by Lawrence Wilson, MD, 2014, The Center For Development
High Na/K Ratio: Acute: anger, rage, acute stress
Low Na/k Ratio: Chronic: frustration, resentment, hostility
http://drlwilson.com/articles/SODIUM-POT%20RATIO.HTM
Effect of stress hormone on potassium level has been published (see: Reid JL et al. 1986. Am. J. Cardiology vol 57, pp 23F-27F). They showed epinephrine induced hypokalemia. Stress hormones will reduce serum potassium levels significantly. In their study they had injected human volunteers with epinephrine and then saw K+ levels drop from 4.06 to 3.22 (average). Following treatment with atenolol (beta 1 blocker) the reduction in K+ was less. However, using beta1 and beta2 blocker was more effective in restoring K+ levels, which indicates stress related effects on K+ were linked to beta2 activity.
Perceived psychological stress, which is purely subjective, can impact human nutrition in almost every aspect. Studies have shown that iron can decrease from psychological stress, B vitamin deficiency is often seen in people with PTSD, magnesium deficiency can be caused by psychological stress, and many more, so it would no surprise me if potassium deficiency can be caused or be the reason for someone going through anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Although, I do no thave any scientific literature to prove this, I do have plenty to prove what I have mentioned at the beginning of this post.
I think Chandra Mohan's answer is very likely to be true! And I believe what she posted 100%
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