Potassium citrate and bone health in postmenopausal women
What it found
In 276 healthy postmenopausal women, taking potassium citrate for 2 years did not reduce bone turnover or increase bone mineral density.
The authors say this suggests alkali provision does not explain any long-term bone benefit from fruit and vegetables.
What they found
Studies in people
Bone turnover markers
There was no difference between groups in urinary free deoxypyridinoline cross-links relative to creatinine, serum N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen, or beta C-terminal telopeptide over the 2 years. At 4 to 6 weeks, one marker was lower in the high-dose potassium citrate group.
Spine bone density
The placebo group lost an average of 1.8% spine bone mineral density, and the treatment groups lost an average of 2.1%. The difference was not significant.
Hip bone density
Hip bone mineral density loss was 1.3% in the placebo group and 2.2% in the low-dose potassium citrate group. The difference was not significant.
What the authors conclude
“Two-year potassium citrate supplementation does not reduce bone turnover or increase BMD in healthy postmenopausal women, which suggests that alkali provision does not explain any long-term benefit of fruit and vegetable intake on bone.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that two-year potassium citrate supplementation does not reduce bone turnover or increase BMD in healthy postmenopausal women.
- They suggest that alkali provision does not explain any long-term benefit of fruit and vegetable intake on bone.
How it was done
Alkali provision may explain why fruit and vegetables benefit bone health.
They randomly assigned 276 postmenopausal women aged 55 to 65 to one of four groups: high-dose potassium citrate (55.5 mEq/d), low-dose potassium citrate (18.5 mEq/d), placebo, or 300 g extra fruit and vegetables per day (equivalent to 18.5 mEq alkali). The study lasted 2 years, with blood and urine collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, plus an extra urine sample at 4 to 6 weeks. Bone mineral density was measured at the start and after 2 years.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial tested potassium citrate and extra fruit and vegetables in healthy postmenopausal women. It cannot show whether the same results would apply to other groups, such as men or younger women.
- The study lasted 2 years. It cannot show what might happen with longer use.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
The paper
- Title
- Effect of potassium citrate supplementation or increased fruit and vegetable intake on bone metabolism in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Macdonald HM, Black AJ, Aucott L, et al (2008). Effect of potassium citrate supplementation or increased fruit and vegetable intake on bone metabolism in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. The American journal of clinical nutrition. doi:10.1093/ajcn/88.2.465PubMed 18689384DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error