Potassium Citrate reduces kidney stones 12-fold

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Sunday, July 27, 2014 10:15 am Email this article
A supplement of potassium citrate reduced formation of kidney stones 12-fold over the next 3 years from an average of 1.2 kidney stones per year to 0.1 kidney stones per year according to a 1993 study.

To say this in another way people were 12 times less likely to get a kidney stone while taking potassium citrate.

Subjects

Subjects: 57 patients who had at least 2 kidney stones in the previous 2 years

The study involved 57 patients who had 2 or more kidney stones in the previous 2 years.

 

72% taking potassium citrate had NO kidney stones

72% taking potassium citrate had NO kidney stones for 3 years while taking potassium citrate

Roughly three-fourths (72%) of the patients receiving potassium citrate for 3 years (13 of the 18 patients), had NO kidney stones.

“In contrast, 20 patients taking placebo medication for 3 years showed no significant change in stone formation rate (1.1 to 1.1 per patient year) and in only 4 patients (20%) [ who were given a placebo ] was the disease in remission.” The dose of potassium citrate used was 30-60 mEq.

 

Dose

Dose: 3080-6160 mg of potassium citrate which contains 1170-2340 mg of potassium

30 mEq of potassium citrate equals 3080 mg of potassium citrate.

60 mEq of potassium citrate equals 6160 mg of potassium citrate.

 

Potassium citrate is 38% potassium

Potassium citrate is 38% potassium

Potassium citrate is 38% potassium, so 3080 mg (30 mEq) contains 1170 mg of potassium and 1910 mg of citrate.

60 mEq of potassium citrate (6160 mg) contains 2340 mg of potassium and 3820 mg of citrate.

 

Citrate Is A Precursor To Bicarbonate

Citrate is a precursor to bicarbonate in the body, therefore I assume potassium bicarbonate would work just as well

Citrate is a precursor to bicarbonate in the body therefore, I imagine that potassium bicarbonate would also reduce kidney stones just like potassium citrate did in this study.

 

Epidemiological Studies

Epidemiological studies show higher potassium intake associated with lower risk of kidney stones

There are a few epidemiological study ( population studies ) showing that people who consume more potassium-rich foods are less likely to get kidney stones.

My guess is that it is not just the potassium, but also the bicarbonate or citrate which helps to reduce acidity and reduce calcium excretion which is responsible for reducing kidney stones. So don’t just assume it’s only the potassium.

 

Potassium Bicarbonate: I’ve taken it for 10 years

Potassium Bicarbonate work perfectly to lower my blood pressure by roughy 20 points to 121/72 mm Hg

I have taken potassium bicarbonate since 2000 for blood pressure, and my blood pressure dropped roughly 20 points to 121/72 mm Hg.

 

Potassium Intake Through Human History

For millions of years, we consumed a lot more potassium, a lot more bicarbonate, a lot less sodium, and a lot less chloride

For millions of years, we consumed a lot more potassium, a lot more bicarbonate, a lot less sodium, and a lot less chloride.

 

Potassium Bicarbonate: Other Benefits

Potassium Bicarbonate reduces risk of osteoporosis, reduces loss of muscle, attenuates reduction in growth hormone with aging

Potassium bicarbonate has been shown to have many benefits including: - a decrease in bone loss - a decrease in muscle loss - an increase in growth hormone One paper also suggested the idea that increasing potassium intake might decrease the risk of cancer.

 

Conclusion

Conclusion: Potassium citrate reduces kidney stones

The authors of the study concluded, “In summary, our randomized trial showed the efficacy of potassium citrate in preventing new stone formation in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis.”

REFERENCE

Barcelo P, Wuhl O, Servitge E, Rousaud A, Pak C. Randomized double- blind study of potassium citrate in idiopathic hypocitraturic calcium nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 1993 Dec, 150(6):1761-64.

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Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Kidney Stones