Magnesium and Potassium Citrate

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Magnesium and Potassium Citrate

 

Magnesium is needed for bone, protein, and fatty acid formation,

making new cells, activating B vitamins, relaxing muscles, clotting

blood, and forming ATP—the energy the body runs on. The secretion and

action of insulin also require magnesium.

 

Magnesium also acts in a way related to calcium channel blocker

drugs. This effect may be responsible for the fact that under certain

circumstances, magnesium has been found to potentially improve vision

in people with glaucoma.1 Similarly, this action might account for

magnesium's ability to lower blood pressure.

 

Since magnesium has so many different actions in the body, the exact

reasons for some of its clinical effects are difficult to determine.

2 For example, magnesium has reduced hyperactivity in children in

preliminary research.3 Other research suggests that some children

with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lowered

levels of magnesium. In a preliminary but controlled trial, 50 ADHD

children with low magnesium (as determined by red blood cell, hair,

and serum levels of magnesium) were given 200 mg of magnesium per day

for six months.4 Compared with 25 other magnesium-deficient ADHD

children, those given magnesium supplementation had a significant

decrease in hyperactive behavior.

 

Magnesium levels have been reported to be low in those with chronic

fatigue syndrome (CFS),5 while magnesium injections have been

reported to improve symptoms.6 Oral magnesium supplementation has

also improved symptoms in those people with CFS who had low magnesium

levels in another report, although magnesium injections were

sometimes necessary.7 However, other research reports no evidence of

magnesium deficiency in people with CFS.8 9 The reason for this

discrepancy remains unclear. People with CFS considering magnesium

supplementation should have their magnesium status checked beforehand

by a doctor. Only people with magnesium deficiency appear to benefit

from this therapy.

 

People with diabetes tend to have lower magnesium levels compared

with those who have normal glucose tolerance.10 Supplementation with

magnesium overcomes this problem11 and may help some diabetics

improve glucose tolerance.

 

Magnesium may be beneficial for bladder problems in women, especially

common disturbances in bladder control and the sense of " urgency. " A

double-blind trial found that women who took 350 mg of magnesium

hydroxide (providing 147 mg elemental magnesium) twice daily for four

weeks, had better bladder control and fewer symptoms than women who

took a placebo.12

 

Magnesium supplementation may reduce dehydration of red blood cells

in sickle cell anemia patients. Administration of 540 mg per day of

magnesium pidolate to sickle cell anemia patients was seen after six

months, to reverse some of the characteristic red blood cell

abnormalities and to dramatically reduce the number of painful days

for these patients.13 This preliminary trial was not blinded, so

placebo effect could not be ruled out. Magnesium pidolate is also an

unusual form of magnesium. It is unknown whether other forms of

magnesium would produce similar results.

 

Magnesium is found in nuts and grains are good sources of magnesium.

Beans, dark green vegetables, fish, and meat also contain significant

amounts.

 

Potassium is 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.13 Potassium is also required for carbohydrate and

protein metabolism.

 

Found in most fruits, these are excellent sources of potassium.

Beans, milk, and vegetables contain significant amounts of potassium.

 

 

Some citrate research conducted with people who have a history of

kidney stones involves supplementation with a combination of

potassium citrate and magnesium citrate. In one double-blind trial,

the recurrence rate of kidney stones dropped from 64% to 13% for

those receiving high amounts of both supplements.14 In that trial,

people were instructed to take six pills per day—enough potassium

citrate to provide 1,600 mg of potassium and enough magnesium citrate

to provide 500 mg of magnesium. Both placebo and citrate groups were

also advised to restrict salt, sugar, animal protein, and foods rich

in oxalate. Other trials have also shown that potassium and magnesium

citrate supplementation reduces kidney stone recurrences.15

 

Citric acid (citrate) is found in many foods and may also protect

against kidney stone formation.16,17 The best food source commonly

available is citrus fruits, particularly lemons. One preliminary

trial found that drinking 2 quarts of lemonade per day improved the

quality of the urine in ways that are associated with kidney stone

prevention.18 Lemonade was far more effective in modifying these

urinary parameters than orange juice. The lemonade was made by mixing

4 oz lemon juice with enough water to make 2 liters. The smallest

amount of sweetener possible should be added to make the taste

acceptable. Further study is necessary to determine if lemonade can

prevent recurrence of kidney stones.

 

 

REFERENCES

 

1. Gaspar AZ, Gasser P, Flammer J. The influence of magnesium on

visual field and peripheral vasospasm in glaucoma. Ophthalmologica

1995;209:11–3.

 

2. Kawano Y, Matsuoka H, Takishita S, Omae T. Effects of magnesium

supplementation in hypertensive patients. Hypertension 1998;32:260–5.

 

3. Starobrat-Hermelin B, Kozielec T. The effects of magnesium

physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Positive response to

magnesium oral loading test. Magnes Res 1997;10:149–56.

 

4. Starobrat-Hermelin B, Kozielec T. The effects of magnesium

physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Positive response to

magnesium oral loading test. Magnes Res 1997;10:149–56.

 

5. Moorkens G, Manuel y Keenoy B, Vertommen J, et al. Magnesium

deficit in a sample of the Belgian population presenting with chronic

fatigue. Magnes Res 1997;10:329–37.

 

6. Cox IM, Campbell MJ, Dowson D. Red blood cell magnesium and

chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet 1991;337:757–60.

 

7. Howard JM, Davies S, Hunnisett A. Magnesium and chronic fatigue

syndrome. Lancet 1992;340:426.

 

8. Gantz NM. Magnesium and chronic fatigue. Lancet 1991;338:66

[letter].

 

9. Hinds G, Bell NP, McMaster D, McCluskey DR. Normal red cell

magnesium concentrations and magnesium loading tests in patients with

chronic fatigue syndrome. Ann Clin Biochem 1994;31(Pt 5):459–61.

 

10. Paolisso G, Scheen A, D'Onofrio FD, Lefebvre P. Magnesium and

glucose homeostasis. Diabetologia 1990;33:511–4 [review].

 

11. Eibl NL, Schnack CJ, Kopp H-P, et al. Hypomagnesemia in type II

diabetes: effect of a 3-month replacement therapy. Diabetes Care

1995;18:188.

 

12. Gordon D, Groutz A, Ascher-Landsberg J, et al. Double-blind,

placebo-controlled study of magnesium hydroxide for treatment of

sensory urgency and detrusor instability: preliminary results. Br J

Obstet Gynaecol 1998;105:667–9.

 

13. Wahr JA, Parks R, Boisvert D, et al. Preoperative serum potassium

levels and perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients. JAMA

1999;281:2203–10.

 

14. Ettinger B, Pak CY, Citron JT, et al. Potassium-magnesium citrate

is an effective prophylaxis against recurrent calcium oxalate

nephrolithiasis. J Urol 1997;158:2069–73.

 

15. Pak CY. Medical prevention of renal stone disease. Nephron 1999;81

(Suppl 1):60–5 [review].

 

16. Pak CY. Nephrolithiasis from calcium supplementation. J Urol

1987;137:1212–3 [editorial].

 

17. Levine BS, Rodman JS, Wienerman S, et al. Effect of calcium

citrate supplementation on urinary calcium oxalate saturation in

female stone formers: implications for prevention of osteoporosis. Am

J Clin Nutr 1994;60:592–6.

 

18. Seltzer MA, Low RK, McDonald M, et al. Dietary manipulation with

lemonade to treat hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Urol

1996;156:907–9.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

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