Potassium is a mineral that is present in all body tissues, it is required for maintaining intracellular fluid volume and normal cell function.

The essential mineral functions as an electrolyte which helps in the transmission of nerve impulses, contraction of cardiac and skeletal muscles. Potassium has a wide range of role to perform in the body, it is involved in the production of energy, maintenance of skeletal integrity, helps offset some of sodium’s harmful effects on blood pressure, supports proper kidney functioning, decrease sodium reabsorption, has purported antihypertensive effect, it helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells.

Potassium citrate is a mineral combined with citric acid salt. It’s a powerful alkalizing agent.

 

FOOD SOURCES OF POTASSIUM CITRATE

Avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots, beets, pomegranate, bananas, beef, dates, lentils, nuts, raisins, tomato, leafy greens, carrots, citrus fruits like oranges, and grapefruit are good sources of potassium.

Dietary supplements of potassium often include potassium as potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium phosphate, potassium aspartate, potassium gluconate, and potassium bicarbonate. Most of the supplements contain up to 99 mg of potassium.

 

CAUSES FOR POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY

• Although potassium deficiency is a rare cause that may result from too low little food intake containing potassium. Some people who take inadequate intake of potassium combined with heavy sweating, diuretic use, laxative abuse, those who suffer from severe nausea, vomiting are likely to have hypokalemia (deficiency of potassium).

• Another reason associated with hypokalemia is magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency is known to exacerbate potassium wasting due to increased potassium secretion.

 

SYMPTOMS OF POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY

Potassium deficiency may include symptoms like increased blood pressure, urinary calcium excretion, depleted calcium levels in bones, increased risk of kidney stones, salt sensitivity (the changes in sodium intake affect blood pressure to a greater extent than normal, hypokalemia (very low serum levels of potassium).

 

WHAT IS THE NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTING WITH POTASSIUM?

Those who follow a largely plant-based diet are at a good chance of getting enough potassium. But if your diet includes more processed foods, the chances are more that you may not be consuming adequate potassium. Also, with aging, the amount of potassium intake as well potassium absorption reduces. Supplemental potassium allows you to get an adequate amount of potassium.

Did You Know? 1 capsule (99mg) of the potassium supplement provides potassium equivalent to that found in approximately 23g of walnuts.

 

ZENITH NUTRITION POTASSIUM CITRATE

Zenith Nutrition Potassium Citrate is a product formulated using research-based pure ingredients. Every capsule of the supplement provides 99mg of potassium combined with citric acid. The 100% vegetarian, dietary supplement is easy to swallow and is free of gluten, soy, artificial sweeteners, colours or any other excipients. Every batch of the supplement goes through strict quality control procedures for confirmation on purity and potency.

 

HOW SHOULD YOUR STORE POTASSIUM CITRATE CAPSULES?

Potassium citrate capsules are to be stored at room temperature with the lid of the container tightly closed. Keep from freezing.

 

HOW & WHEN TO TAKE POTASSIUM CITRATE SUPPLEMENT?

It is best suggested to take potassium citrate capsules with meals or within 30 minutes after meals. Swallow the capsules whole and do not break, crush or chew the capsules as this may cause irritation in the mouth or throat. Drink extra fluids while on supplementation.

 

IS POTASSIUM CITRATE SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?

Adequate research evidence is lacking to prove the supplementation is safe for pregnant women. Hence the supplement usage should be discouraged for pregnant as well as breastfeeding women.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU AVOID WHILE TAKING POTASSIUM CITRATE?

• Avoid using drugs like atropine, loperamide which may slow the transit of food through the intestine. Such drugs may delay the passage of potassium through the digestive system and cause irritation or ulceration.
• Avoid using salt substitutes and LoSalt (which contains a blend of sodium chloride and potassium chloride) as they may accidentally cause high levels of potassium in the blood.
• Avoid using antacids and household baking soda. Antacids contain aluminum and various salts of sodium, calcium which may interact with potassium citrate causing serious electrolyte imbalance.
• Avoid using alcohol or tobacco as interactions might occur.

 

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM CITRATE SUPPLEMENTATION?

Side effects are rare yet exceeding the prescribed dosage on the supplement bottle may cause allergic reactions, abdominal discomfort, confusion, numbness in hands/feet, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, heaviness of legs.

 

WHO IS NOT SUGGESTED TO CONSUME POTASSIUM CITRATE SUPPLEMENTS?

The presence of medical problems may affect the use of potassium citrate.

Those who suffer from acidosis (high acid in the blood), those with kidney disease, heart disease, adrenal problems, hyperkalemia, diabetes, urinary tract infections, digestion problems, pregnant, breastfeeding women, those with dehydration are advised not to use the supplement without seeking medical advice.

 

POTASSIUM CITRATE SUPPORTS KIDNEY HEALTH

Maintaining correct acid-base balance in the bladder contributes to a great extent in preventing kidney stone formation. Potassium citrate specifically helps remove protons, or positively charged atoms and makes urine less acidic. Potassium citrate crystallizes stone-forming salts like calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid in the bladder by the following mechanisms:

• By increasing urine pH and making it more alkaline.
• By increasing urine citrate levels, which contributes to lowering the risk of stone formation. Citrate is able to bind to calcium, making it more soluble and less able to create calcium oxalate stones.
• Protects against urine saturation resulting from high-protein diets.

 

POTASSIUM CITRATE PROMOTES HEART HEALTH

Low potassium levels in the body lead to an increase in calcium levels within smooth muscle cells. Hardening of arteries results from the accumulation of plaque (cholesterol, calcium, and other substances). The plaque formation leads to the narrowing of arteries and causes decreased blood flow.

Potassium citrate supplementation contributes to better heart health through its benefits in lowering hypertension and increased blood pressure (which could cause a threat to heart health). It might help prevent vascular calcification, which is the buildup of calcium in the smooth muscle cells within arteries. Potassium citrate helps lower sodium resorption, increases urinary sodium excretion. Studies have revealed that adequate potassium levels in the body are associated with a lower stroke incidence.

                                                                                                                                            

POTASSIUM CITRATE HELPS PRESERVE BONE HEALTH

The deterioration of the bone structure and bone mass is a common event in postmenopausal women and the elderly. The dietary acid load imposed by the typical fast foods and modern diet may adversely impact bone health. Higher the acidosis, higher the bone demineralization (calcium is pulled from the bones to help alkalinize the blood). Potassium citrate works to counteract an acid overload, loss of calcium from bones and help prevent osteoporosis and osteopenia. The hypothesis regarding the benefit of dietary potassium for bone health is based on its effect through pH homeostasis.

Potassium citrate neutralizes acids that come from the diet, increases urine pH, prevents precipitation of solutes. Potassium citrates create a positive calcium balance, inhibit bone resorption, increases urinary retention of calcium, leads to the beneficial effect on bone mineral density.

 

POTASSIUM CITRATE MAY HELP WITH MUSCLE CRAMPS

Skeletal muscle mass plays an important role in metabolic regulation, movement and strength. Low intracellular levels of potassium can contribute to muscle fatigue and decreased muscular contractions, which may also influence cardiovascular and respiratory function. Studies have evaluated the association between dietary potassium intake and skeletal muscle mass, frequency of muscle contraction. Metabolic acidosis is associated with muscle wasting and this condition may be improved with potassium intake.

Exercise results in increased rate of uptake of potassium by contracting muscles, combined with increase in cardiac output which produces a decrease in intracellular potassium concentrations.

Potassium citrate helps maintain adequate levels of potassium to facilitate improved circulation, improved nervous signals and improved muscular contraction.

 

Reference:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093633

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6997142/      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1656509/