Neutralizing acid with potassium

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, included 201 healthy nonvegetarian men and women between 65 and 80 years old. Everyone in the study was given calcium (500 mg per day) and vitamin D (400 IU per day) supplements; in addition, they received either a daily potassium citrate supplement (providing 2,346 mg of potassium) or placebo.

Potassium users build bone

Blood, urine, and bone mineral density tests were done at the beginning of the study and every six months for two years. These tests showed the following:

• Urine calcium and urine acidity diminished in women taking the potassium supplement.
• Blood levels of a marker of bone formation increased in women using potassium.
• Bone mineral density increased more in the potassium group, with differences of 1.7% in the lumbar (lower) spine, 1.0% in the hip, and 1.3% in the total body. The improvement was seen in the inner bone mineral matrix, rather than the outer bone cortex, which is believed to indicate more protection from future fractures.
• Overall bone fracture risk decreased in women in the potassium group, but increased in women in the placebo group.

The study's authors summarized their findings, saying, "Among a group of healthy elderly persons without osteoporosis, treatment with potassium citrate for 24 months resulted in a significant increase in [bone mineral density] at several sites tested, while also improving bone microarchitecture."

Getting more potassium

The amount of potassium in supplements is regulated in the US and many other parts of the world because they can aggravate peptic ulcers and can interact dangerously with certain medications, so getting the amount of potassium citrate used in this study may require a prescription. It is also important to note that only potassium citrate has been shown to benefit bones.

Although eating potassium-rich foods appears to be less effective than taking potassium citrate, we do know that people who eat fruits and vegetables produce less acidic byproducts that might strip calcium from bones, and some researchers have found that a low-potassium diet is linked to bone loss. Here are some ways to get more potassium, as well as other nutrients to keep bones strong:

• Bring on the beans. Beans are a good source of protein, and can replace acid-forming animal protein in a meal. A cup of cooked beans provides approximately 1,000 mg of potassium.
• Put on the potatoes. An average potato, baked with the skin on, provides about 1,000 mg of potassium. It's also a pretty good source of calcium.
• Get your greens. 1/2 cup of cooked spinach or chard provides more than 400 mg of potassium.
• Enjoy variety. Other foods rich in potassium include sweet potato, winter squash, avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms, apricots, melon, raisins, and, of course, bananas.

(J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012;98:doi:10.1210/jc.2012-3099)