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Can a Potassium Deficiency Cause Warts?

A potassium deficiency cannot cause warts.

What causes Warts?

Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).  There are more than 100-recorded strains of this virus, 60 of which cause common warts.  HPV attacks the epithelial cells, the outside layer of cells that cover all areas of the skin and mucous membranes.  It can take up to six months for the visible signs of the virus to appear on the skin.

Since warts are a virus, they cannot be caused by a mineral deficiency.

What Is a Potassium Deficiency?

A severe potassium deficiency is known as hypokalemia.  The medical community recognizes the following as symptoms of hypokalemia:

• Dysrhythmias (Abnormal heart rhythms)
• Rhabdomyolysis (Breakdown of muscle fibers)
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Paralysis

Warts are not on the list.

Myth/Rumor?

If you stretch your reasoning for a moment, you may be able to speculate why warts may be linked to a potassium deficiency.  Potassium is essential in the body for the health of cells.  Viruses attack cells.  Warts are a virus.  That's certainly not solid evidence for the medical books!

Potassium has many other important roles including:

• Body growth and muscle formation
• Regulation of the body's acid-base balance
• Carbohydrate metabolism
• Electrical activity of the heart