From the Guidelines
Taking magnesium citrate daily does not directly raise potassium levels in the body. Magnesium citrate is primarily used as a laxative or magnesium supplement and works differently than potassium supplements. However, there is an indirect relationship between magnesium and potassium in the body. Adequate magnesium levels help maintain proper potassium balance because magnesium is needed for proper cellular potassium uptake. If someone has a magnesium deficiency, it can sometimes contribute to potassium wasting, making it harder for the body to maintain normal potassium levels. Some key points to consider when using magnesium citrate include:
- The use of magnesium-based preparations in patients with chronic kidney disease should be avoided because of possible magnesium toxicity 1.
- Magnesium citrate (300 mL) was evaluated in several randomized trials and was found to be effective in producing good or excellent quality cleansing in patients undergoing colonoscopy 1.
- A transient increase in serum magnesium level may be observed with magnesium citrate use, but it has not been reported to cause clinical adverse events in healthy persons 1. For those concerned about potassium levels, it's better to consume potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, or take a specific potassium supplement if prescribed by a healthcare provider. The typical dosage for magnesium citrate as a supplement is 200-400mg daily, but it should not be used as a strategy to increase potassium. Anyone with kidney problems should be especially cautious with both magnesium and potassium supplements, as these minerals are primarily regulated and excreted by the kidneys.
From the Research
Magnesium Citrate and Potassium Levels
- The relationship between magnesium citrate and potassium levels is not directly addressed in most of the studies provided 2, 3.
- However, one study found that supplementation with potassium-magnesium citrate increased urinary potassium levels in renal stone patients 4.
- Another study demonstrated that potassium-magnesium citrate supplementation increased serum potassium levels in patients with calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis 5.
- A study on the effects of potassium-sodium citrate and magnesium oxide supplementation found that urinary potassium levels increased by 50% in normal individuals and 25.3% in patients with calcium oxalate stones when both supplements were administered together 6.
Mechanism of Action
- The exact mechanism by which magnesium citrate affects potassium levels is not clearly explained in the provided studies.
- However, it is suggested that the combination of potassium and magnesium supplementation can have a synergistic effect on increasing urinary citrate and potassium levels, which can help prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones 4, 6.
- The study on potassium-magnesium citrate supplementation found that it effectively prevents recurrent calcium oxalate stones by increasing urinary citrate, potassium, and magnesium levels 5.
Clinical Implications
- The studies suggest that taking magnesium citrate daily may have an indirect effect on raising potassium levels, particularly when combined with potassium supplementation 4, 5, 6.
- However, the effect of magnesium citrate on potassium levels may vary depending on individual factors, such as kidney function and underlying medical conditions 2, 3.