Effects of Potassium Citrate Supplementation on Bone Metabolism

Abstract

Western diets rich in animal protein result in long-term acid loading that, despite corresponding increases in net renal acid excretion, may induce a chronic state of acidemia. This may have deleterious effects on both the kidney and bone, by increasing the risk of calcium stone in the former and leading to chemical dissolution of mineral alkaline salts in the latter. Whereas supplementation with alkaline citrate has been shown to reduce stone recurrences, its effect on bone turnover has received less attention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether potassium citrate favorably affects bone turnover markers in postmenopausal females with low bone density. Thirty women, aged 58 +/- 8.1 years, were enrolled and studied on basal conditions and after a 3-month course of potassium citrate supplementation (0.08-0.1 g/kg b.w. daily). Twenty-two women concluded the study while 8 withdrew. Twenty-four age-matched healthy women were taken as control cases. All were evaluated for electrolyte and acid-base balance-related parameters, bone turnover, markers and renal function. A significant decrease in net acid excretion was observed upon citrate supplementation, and this was paralleled by a significant decrease of urinary deoxypyridinolines, hydroxyproline-to-creatinine ratios, and, to a lesser extent, serum osteocalcin. Percent variations of urine citrate were inversely related to those of deoxypyridinolines and hydroxyproline. No change in these chemistries occurred in the control group. Our results suggest that treatment with an alkaline salt, such as potassium citrate, can reduce bone resorption thereby contrasting the potential adverse effects caused by chronic acidemia of protein-rich diets.

Relationship among dietary estimates of net endogenous acid production, bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover in an Iranian general population

“…A reduction in bone resorption markers was reported in potassium supplementation studies [12,28,29]. But there is only one population-based study in the literature.…”

Effects of Potassium Chloride and Potassium Bicarbonate on Endothelial Function, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Bone Turnover in Mild Hypertensives

“…A number of studies have shown that alkaline salt of potassium 30,31 reduced urinary calcium excretion and bone turnover in postmenopausal women. Our findings that potassium bicarbonate reduces urinary calcium and plasma ␤CTX are consistent with these observations.…”

Organic acid bioavailability from banana and sweet potato using an in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cell model

“…Therefore, the intake and the bioavailability of micronutrients such as organic acids need to be determined to quantify likely effects of food on nutritional status for the population. Previous studies have established the preventive health benefit of organic acid consumption from fruit and vegetables [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Indeed, these are the main sources of organic acids (chelated with potassium or magnesium) such as malate and citrate, which have been shown to exert alkalinizing effects after metabolism, with a potential to prevent low-grade metabolic acidosis inherent to western diet consumption [12][13][14].…”