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What is Potassium Citrate?

Potassium citrate is the result of the chemical combination of Potassium and citric acid. It is known as one of the most absorbable forms of Potassium, an essential mineral that plays a critical role in numerous reactions in the body. Potassium is a mineral that is abundant in many foods and is required for many functions in our body, especially the beating of your heart. Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition known as renal tubular acidosis. Potassium citrate is quickly absorbed when taken orally and is excreted in the urine as the carbonate. It is, therefore, effective in reducing the pain and frequency of micturition (discharge of urine) when these are caused by highly acidic urine. It is used for this purpose in dogs and cats, but is chiefly employed as a non-irritating diuretic.

Potassium citrate is an effective way to treat and control gout and arrhythmia, if the patient is hypokalemic. Just like other substances that render the urine alkaline, Potassium citrate may be used to reduce the danger of crystalluria during sulfonamide therapy. It is widely used to treat urinary calculi (kidney stones), and is usually used by patients with cystinuria. A research using 500 subjects with recurrent stones found that it lowered the frequency of stones from 2 per year to a half per year. It is also used in numerous soft drinks as a buffering agent.

Potassium is an essential mineral needed to manage and control water balance, levels of acidity, blood pressure, and neuromuscular function. This mineral is also responsible in the transmission of electrical impulses in the heart. Most fruits are excellent sources of potassium, as well as beans, milk, and vegetables. People with low blood levels of potassium who are undergoing heart surgery are more susceptible to developing heart arrhythmias and an increased need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Potassium is also necessary for carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

The best way to ensure you have enough or extra potassium is to consume several pieces of fruit per day, as well as liberal amounts of vegetables. The amount of potassium found in the diet ranges from about 2.5 grams to about 5.8 grams per day. The amount common in supplements, which is around 99 mg per tablet or capsule, is very low since a single banana can contain approximately 500 mg. High potassium intake (several hundred milligrams at one time in tablet form) can produce stomach irritation. People using potassium-sparing drugs should avoid using potassium chloride-containing products, such as Morton Salt Substitute®, No Salt®, Lite Salt®, and others and should not take potassium supplements, except under the supervision of a doctor. One should not attempt to achieve higher potassium levels by taking large numbers of potassium pills, as concentrated form of potassium such as this can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, a side effect that can be avoided if a large portion of potassium requirements is derived from dietary sources.

What is Potassium Citrate used for and who uses it?

Potassium Citrate is occasionally prescribed as a medication to make the urine less acidic. By decreasing the acidity of the urine the kidneys can more efficiently process and remove uric acid and thereby help to prevent or treat gout or kidney stones. Potassium Citrate is also occasionally prescribed for treating certain metabolic disordered resulting from kidney disease.

Abnormally low levels of potassium in the cells can cause what is known as hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can be the result of prolonged vomiting, the use of some diuretics, kidney disease, anorexia, bulimia, or any other condition that might cause potassium to exit the body faster than you can replenish it. Fatigue, muscle weakness and cramps, and intestinal paralysis are among some of the symptoms, which may lead to bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain. Severe cases of hypokalemia can lead to muscular paralysis or even fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Other reported symptoms of potassium deficiency include constipation, poor appetite, abnormally dry skin, acne, depression, diarrhea, diminished reflex function, edema, nervousness, insatiable thirst, glucose intolerance, growth impairment, high cholesterol levels, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, proteinuria (protein in the urine), respiratory distress, and salt retention. The use of prescription drugs such as aldactone, colchicines, digitalis, ACE-inhibitors, steroids, furosemide and other diuretics, and penicillin, and the abuse of alcohol or laxatives, inhibits the body’s ability to absorb potassium. If you are taking any of these medications, have an eating disorder, or are alcohol-dependent, you should speak to your doctor about getting more potassium in your diet and the possible need for potassium supplements.

It's certainly important to have enough potassium into your system. Potassium is important for nerve and muscle functions, can aid in reducing hypertension and treating allergies, and a deficiency of potassium can result in hypoglycemia. Potassium is a mineral that acts as an electrolyte in the body, carrying nutrients into your cells and wastes out of them. Electrolytes dissolve in water to form positively charged ions. Because electrolytes are electrically charged, they pass easily through cell membranes, and are thus able to carry electrical messages from the nervous system to the heart and other muscles to maintain regular muscle rhythm and contraction.

An optimal potassium-to-sodium ratio helps keep high blood pressure at bay and significantly lessens the risk of stroke. Otherwise known as the membrane potential, this is achieved by having more potassium inside the cells while keeping more sodium outside the cells to enable the body to perform the chemical reactions needed to convert carbohydrates to energy. A normal cell membrane potential is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.

How pure is your Potassium Citrate?

This pharmaceutical grade Potassium Citrate is assayed by the manufacturer as 99.88% pure product (normal range 99.0 to 101.0%). You will receive a double sealed and labeled bulk polyethylene bag containing this white, odorless powder product. It contains no fillers, taste additives, or anti-caking agents. The remaining 0.12% by weight are inactive byproducts of the extraction.

Potassium Citrate is a well absorbed and highly bioavailable form of potassium. Potassium Citrate is a salt of potassium and citric acid. Potassium is an important mineral used in various bodily functions. It is an important factor in the maintenance of the body's acid-base balance and nerve conductions, as well as the transfer of nutrients through cell membranes. Potassium is found in a number of foods, including dairy, fish, and other meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Because food processing reduces the levels of naturally occurring nutrients in foods, supplementation may be necessary to insure adequate intake.

What are some of the common effects of Potassium Citrate?

Potassium Citrate is a supplement used to make the urine less acidic. This effect helps the kidneys get rid of uric acid, thereby helping to prevent gout and kidney stones. This medication can also prevent and treat certain metabolic problems (acidosis) caused by kidney disease. Citric acid and citrate salts (which contain potassium and sodium) belong to a class of drugs known as urinary alkalinizers. If you have a condition that requires you to limit your intake of potassium and sodium, your doctor may direct you to take a product that is lower in potassium and sodium.

Potassium is a mineral that helps the kidneys function normally. It also plays a key role in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle contraction, making it an important nutrient for normal heart, digestive, and muscular function. A diet high in potassium from fruits, vegetables, and legumes is generally recommended for optimum heart health. Potassium derived from Potassium Citrate is an essential mineral that supports electrolyte mineral balance and nervous system.

What is the daily suggested dose of Potassium Citrate?

Accurate dosing of Potassium Citrate is essential to avoid side effects and toxicity problems associated with overdosing, so be very careful and cautious when measuring your bulk powder dose. Volumetric dosing utilizing standardized measuring spoons can be accurate enough for most people; however, not all individuals possess the manual skills and mental acuity to accurately dose bulk powders consistently, so please exercise caution and care when dosing this bulk powder product. Dosage can be a little confusing because products are marked with the amount of elemental potassium or the amount of potassium citrate or the milliequivalents (mEq) or all three. To avoid any confusion and for easier comparison, all dosages can be reduced to elemental potassium or mEq (milliequivalents) and be compared at that level. What counts is the elemental Potassium and mEq.

To convert mg of elemental potassium to mEq, take the mg value (whether it is Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Bicarbonate, or Potassium Chloride) and divide it by 39.0983 (atomic weight of potassium). For example, 90 mg is equivalent to 2.30 mEq, 99 mg is equivalent to 2.53 mEq. Conversely, if you know the mEq, multiply by 39.0983 to find the elemental potassium. For example, 2 mEq is equal to 78.0 mg, and so on.

The maximum allowable Over-The-Counter (OTC) dose for elemental potassium is regulated by the FDA to be no more than 100 milligrams (or no more than 2.53 mEq per day), which is the reason why most potassium supplements are designated as containing 99 milligrams elemental potassium per capsule or tablet. Since potassium citrate powder is approximately 32.28% elemental potassium, a level 1/16 teaspoon (U.S. Standardized measuring spoon) or about 218 milligrams bulk potassium citrate powder will yield an equivalent elemental potassium dose of approximately 70 milligrams, well within the FDA mandated dosage. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Potassium Citrate here. Mix one level 1/16 teaspoon (218 milligrams potassium citrate) with 8 to 12 ounces water and drink, or take as directed by your physician. Do not take more than 306.7 milligrams potassium citrate (99 milligrams elemental potassium) in a single dose and do not take more than this amount in any 6 hour interval.

As always, if you have concerns or questions, consult a physician or a health care professional before taking any supplements. Before taking any kind of medicine, check with your doctor to ensure that the supplement you want to take is right for you. You may be allergic or you may have a sensitive stomach which may raise the need for special instruction as far as dosage goes.

What kind of results do people anticipate while taking Potassium Citrate?

Potassium is an essential mineral needed to regulate water balance, levels of acidity, blood pressure, and neuromuscular function. This mineral also plays a critical role in the transmission of electrical impulses in the heart. People with low blood levels of potassium who are undergoing heart surgery are at an increased risk of developing heart arrhythmias and an increased need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Potassium is also required for carbohydrate and protein metabolism.

Safety, Precautions, and Potential side effects of Potassium Citrate

Occasional side effects and problems from Potassium Citrate supplementation include diarrhea, loose bowel movements, nausea, gastric upset (stomach pain) and vomiting. Keep potassium citrate out of reach of children and pets. This medication may cause high potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Suggested preparation of Potassium Citrate

Potassium citrate contains 32.28% elemental potassium and as a dietary potassium supplement typical adult doses range from 100 milligrams to 300 milligrams per single dose tablet or capsule. The maximum allowable Over-The-Counter (OTC) dose for elemental potassium is regulated by the FDA to be no more than 100 milligrams (approximately 3% of the daily allowance). Because potassium citrate is a potentially irritant to the stomach if ingested in amounts greater than recommended, caution should be exercised to keep your potassium citrate doses small and frequent rather than large and infrequent. Potassium citrate powder doses should be taken by mouth mixed with at between 8 and 16 ounces of water. Taking sufficient water with your potassium citrate dose is essential to reducing the likelihood of side effects or problems. If you forget to take your potassium citrate dose on time take as soon as possible afterward but if it is more than two hours late you should skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Never take two doses at once. A maximally recommended dose of 306.7 milligrams Potassium Citrate powder yielding 99 milligrams elemental potassium should be tolerated by most people.

Potassium Citrate is used in the following Proprietary Formulas

Effer-K, Vitamin Shoppe Potassium Citrate, Jarrow Formulas Potassium Citrate, Now Foods Potassium Citrate, Natural Factors Potassium Citrate, Thorne Research Potassium Citrate, Gold Vet Potassium Citrate Granules, Swanson Ultra Potassium Citrate, NutriCology Potassium Citrate, Doc Roys Potassium Citrate Plus Cranberry Granules

References & Further Research

Successful management of uric acid nephrolithiasis with potassium citrate
Eighteen patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis (six with uric acid stones alone and 12 with both uric acid and calcium stones) underwent long–term treatment (1 to 5.33 years, mean of 2.78 years) with potassium citrate (30 to 80 mEq/day, usually 60 mEq/day). Urinary pH increased from low (5.30 0.31 SD) to normal (6.19 to 6.46) during treatment. Urinary content of undissociated uric acid, which was high to begin with at 204 82 mg/day, decreased to the normal range (64 to 108 mg/day) following treatment. Remission was experienced in 94.4% of patients, and the group stone formation rate declined by 99.2%. The results provide physiological and physicochemical rationale, as well as therapeutic efficacy for potassium citrate treatment in the management of uric acid lithiasis presenting with/without calcium stones.

Randomized double-blind study of potassium citrate in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis
In an attempt to document the efficacy of potassium citrate in stone formation, 57 patients with active lithiasis (2 or more stones during the preceding 2 years) and hypocitraturia were randomly allocated into 2 groups, with 1 group taking 30 to 60 mEq. potassium citrate daily in wax matrix tablet formation and the other group receiving placebo. In 18 patients receiving potassium citrate for 3 years stone formation significantly declined after treatment from 1.2 +/- 0.6 to 0.1 +/- 0.2 per patient year (p < 0.0001), in 13 patients (72%) the disease was in remission and all patients showed a reduced stone formation rate individually. Potassium citrate therapy caused a significant increase in urinary citrate, pH and potassium, whereas placebo did not. Adverse reactions to potassium citrate were mild causing only 2 patients in the potassium citrate group and 1 in the placebo group to withdraw from the study. In summary, our randomized trial showed the efficacy of potassium citrate in preventing new stone formation in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis.

Potassium Citrate for International Customers

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Buying Potassium Citrate Bulk or Wholesale

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