Why dont serum potassium levels go up when we eat a dietary potassium load (such as hamburger or soda)?
The ingestion of food causes release of insulin, which binds to its receptor on the cell membrane leading to the insertion of GLUT4 into the cell membrane (a glucose transporter). Similarly, insulin causes the membrane insertion and stimulation of Na + -K + -ATPase pump, leading to movement of potassium into the cell, preventing a rise in the serum potassium.
