Base citrates from minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc help to deacidify the body. Diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis or high blood pressure can at least be alleviated.

Base citrates and their possible applications

With base citrates you achieve at least two goals at the same time: You effectively deacidify and supply yourself with alkaline minerals. This is possible because base citrates consist of two components: basic minerals (e.g. potassium, magnesium, calcium) and basic salts (citrates).

Citrates include potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, calcium citrate or zinc citrate. They are natural mineral compounds that also occur in this form in food and the human body, which is why they can be absorbed and utilized very well.

Base citrates should always be combined with an appropriate diet. You start with the purely alkaline diet and switch to the alkaline-surplus diet after 2 to 4 weeks, for example.

* Here you can find our popular Easy 7-Day Alkaline Diet Plan

1. Optimising the mineral supply

If you have an increased need for minerals (e.g. in stressful situations, during pregnancy, illness, as an athlete or in recovery phases), alkaline citrates help to meet this higher requirement without any problems.

Base citrates also offer an uncomplicated solution if you think your diet does not provide enough minerals. With these citrates, such a shortcoming can be quickly remedied.

You may also already be suffering from non-specific symptoms (fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, hair loss, etc.), which can always indicate a suboptimal supply of vital substances. Alkaline citrate preparations, which consist of a mixture of the most important minerals and trace elements, can lead to a rapid improvement here.

Below you will find a small overview of the most important properties and effects of the minerals contained in citrate preparations. (If you are already familiar with this, scroll to 2.):

Alkaline Potassium Citrate

Potassium is largely (in contrast to sodium) found inside the body’s cells. The daily requirement of an adult is now stated to be 4000 mg (previously only 2000 mg), so it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet this requirement with diet alone:

Potassium – together with sodium – regulates the water balance in the body. It takes care of nerve function and muscle control.

Potassium lowers high blood pressure, especially if high blood pressure is also caused by too much sodium (salt), as plenty of potassium lowers sodium levels. Potassium reduces the risk of stroke, because high blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke.

Potassium can reduce the risk of kidney stones because it makes urine alkaline, i.e. neutralizes acids that would otherwise drive kidney stone formation. It also prevents excessive excretion of calcium, which could otherwise crystallize into kidney stones.

Potassium is very important for bones for this reason. This is because if potassium prevents the excretion of too much calcium in the urine, the calcium can be incorporated into the bones.

Alkaline Magnesium Citrate

The magnesium requirement is 300 to 400 mg per day. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic metabolic reactions, which shows that the tasks and functions of this important mineral cannot even be listed in full. So here is just a selection:

Magnesium relaxes the muscles and is therefore used for the therapy and prevention of muscle cramps (e.g. calf cramps). However, it also relaxes the muscles in the heart and blood vessel walls, which is why it is an important mineral for the prevention of many cardiovascular problems.

Magnesium is THE anti-stress mineral, as it inhibits the release of stress hormones and calms the nerves.

Magnesium is an important component of bones and teeth. Yes, the majority of the body’s magnesium is found in the bones and activates the bone-forming cells there.

Magnesium activates vitamin D – the bone vitamin – and is therefore responsible for a good vitamin D effect.

Magnesium increases the insulin sensitivity of the cells and therefore has a diabetes-preventing effect.

Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore necessary for any chronic problem associated with chronic inflammation.

Alkaline Calcium Citrate

Calcium is largely contained in the bones (99 percent). Only 1 percent is distributed among the blood and other tissues. The daily requirement is 1000 to 1200 mg. Details about calcium can be found at the bottom of this page: Calcium and calcium deficiency.

1. Calcium is essential for bone and dental health.
2. Calcium is involved in regulating blood clotting.
3. Calcium, together with magnesium, is responsible for healthy muscle and nerve function.
4. Calcium is required for healthy digestion.

Alkaline Zinc Citrate

Zinc is a trace element and therefore – in contrast to the other three minerals mentioned – required in much smaller quantities per day (approx. 10 mg).

1. Zinc is responsible for healthy skin and mucous membranes and therefore accelerates healing processes of all kinds.
2. Zinc strengthens the immune system and prevents increased susceptibility to infections.
3. Zinc strengthens the hair and promotes hair growth.
4. Zinc is a component of the body’s own detoxification enzymes and is therefore involved in the elimination of toxins.
5. Zinc is important for fertility. It increases sperm quality in men (in the case of a previously present zinc deficiency) and corrects menstrual cycle disorders in women.

From the above-mentioned effects and properties of the minerals, it can be seen that a deficiency of these minerals can lead to serious complaints. Minerals in the form of base citrates can therefore be used therapeutically for many diseases and health problems:

2. Elimination of mineral deficiencies

Mineral deficiencies can manifest themselves in acute complaints, but also in chronic diseases that occur insidiously. These can be frequent muscle cramps or migraine attacks due to magnesium deficiency, a strong susceptibility to infections or dry skin due to zinc deficiency, digestive disorders or even an already dwindling bone density due to calcium deficiency or cardiac arrhythmias due to potassium deficiency.

Many chronic diseases – whether diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney stones, cardiovascular problems, ADHD or dementia – are at least partly due to mineral deficiency. If the corresponding deficiency is corrected, the symptoms often improve noticeably. The administration of minerals and trace elements should therefore be part of every holistic therapy concept – of course always depending on the personal condition and in consultation with the doctor or alternative practitioner. Here are some examples:

If you are prone to kidney stones

If there is a tendency to kidney stones, citrates are also often used in conventional medicine. They increase the pH value of the urine and thus reduce stone formation. Citrus fruits (and other fruits) are also a natural source of citrates, which can be consumed in greater quantities if there is a risk of kidney stone formation.

In diabetes

For diabetes, magnesium is often recommended, which is particularly well tolerated as citrate.
Magnesium enhances the effect of insulin, increases the insulin sensitivity of the cells and is necessary for healthy insulin production in the pancreas.

Not only a magnesium deficiency can increase the risk of diabetes, but also too low a potassium intake (as a review from 2011 showed), so that diabetes should never be thought of just one mineral, but always of an all-round good mineral supply.

For osteoporosis and decreasing bone density

We have already explained how well alkaline citrates affect bone health from a scientific point of view using various studies. In November 2006, for example, a Swiss study showed that supplementation with base citrates (potassium citrates) can help menopausal women increase their bone density.

In this study, potassium citrate reduced calcium excretion via the urine. The researchers wrote at the time: “Bone density can […] be significantly increased via daily base intake in the form of potassium citrate […]”, which was confirmed in 2015 by researchers at the University of Surrey in a meta-analysis on the subject.

For high blood pressure

In the case of high blood pressure, the most important advice in medical nutrition advice is: reduce sodium, increase potassium. While sodium can increase blood pressure – especially in salt-sensitive people – potassium has the opposite effect. Potassium causes an increased elimination of sodium through the urine and thus prevents its blood pressure-raising effect. In addition, potassium dilates blood vessels and also lowers elevated blood pressure in this way.

3. Deacidification in chronic acidity

A very common area of application of base citrates is chronic hyperacidity, which can be observed very often in today’s lifestyle. Not only do you eat the wrong things, but often too much, too quickly or too late in the evening.

At the same time, you are permanently under stress and suffer from a lack of exercise. All these factors lead to the formation of too many acids in the metabolism and the organism no longer has sufficient countermeasures (bases) to neutralize the acids.

This is not about acidity in the stomach (heartburn), as many might think at this point, but rather about a general disturbance of the acid-base balance that affects the entire organism. In the case of hyperacidity, the organism lacks bases, which leads to acid waste products being deposited in the tissue.

Areas that require an alkaline pH value suddenly become acidic (small intestine) and in areas that should be acidic, the pH value rises – for example in the large intestine, stomach or vagina. The hyperacidity extends into the cell, which often no longer manages to drain acids and let bases in. The whole body is in turmoil here – and the door is open to chronic diseases.

If it becomes apparent that hyperacidity is present, base citrates are a simple, fast and well-tolerated remedy for deacidification of the organism:

Base citrates to deacidify and increase vitality

While many inexpensive deacidifiers consist only of hydrogen carbonates, such as sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which can have numerous unfavorable side effects, deacidification with base citrates is uncomplicated, effective and without undesirable side effects.

Hydrogen carbonates, such as baking soda, can be used for a short time, for example if nothing else is available in an emergency – e.g. in the case of acute heartburn. However, baking soda is not suitable for deacidification of the body, which is carried out as a cure, e.g. over four weeks.

Baking soda deacidifies the stomach in particular, thus neutralizing stomach acid. However, since stomach acid fulfils important tasks in the digestive process, digestive problems can now occur in the long term. If, in addition, the existing stomach acid is repeatedly neutralized, the organism must always strive to produce new stomach acid. To be on the safe side, it produces a little more stomach acid each time, which can even intensify some symptoms.

Due to the reaction of baking soda with stomach acid, a lot of salt (sodium chloride) is also produced, which can put a strain on the organism or disturb the mineral balance. Here, too, the body has to counter regulate again and again, so that it gets more work than help with baking soda.

The advantages of base citrates

The advantages of base citrates are obvious. The most important advantage is that they do not deacidify the stomach, but reach directly into the cell and tissue, where they lead to comprehensive intra- and extracellular deacidification. Intracellular stands for the inside of the cell, extracellular for the space outside the cell.

1. Base citrates do not affect stomach acid

Base citrates do not neutralize stomach acid. They therefore do not interfere with the digestive processes in the stomach and do not lead to the corresponding digestive problems, as can be the case with hydrogen carbonates. Base citrates do not stimulate the formation of stomach acid. Rather, they help in the long term to regulate stomach acid formation.

2. Base citrates do not make the naturally acidic intestine alkaline

In contrast to baking soda, base citrates do NOT raise the naturally slightly acidic pH value in actually acidic sections of the intestine. If they – like baking soda – were to shift the intestinal pH value to the alkaline level, this would impair healthy digestion in the intestine and also negatively affect the intestinal flora located there.

3. Base citrates are easily absorbed

Base citrates are absorbed very easily in the intestine, more easily than any other mineral compound and are therefore particularly suitable for quickly remedying a mineral deficiency or for quickly achieving a therapeutic effect.

4. Base citrates go directly into the cell

Base citrates are very easily introduced into the cell metabolism. There they bind acids and are processed in the cell’s own citrate metabolism.

5. Base citrates do not leave slags

Base citrates are broken down without polluting metabolic waste products.

6. Base citrates provide minerals

While the citrate is used directly for deacidification and metabolized accordingly, the alkaline minerals remain in the cell, in the tissue or wherever they are needed.

Acid accumulation of the cells prevents successful deacidification

In some cases, some of the cells may no longer be able to deacidify even with base citrates. This is referred to as acid accumulation. The cells here are in a kind of blockade after hyperacidity, which often lasts for years. The cell metabolism no longer works. The absorption of nutrients, including essential bases, becomes less efficient. And acids and other metabolic waste products can no longer be drained out so well. Alkaline remedies may no longer help satisfactorily here.

The cell must first be freed from its acid build-up. This is achieved with alkaline concentrates.

It is best to take the alkaline concentrates as a program – BEFORE you reach for the alkaline concentrates.

Buy base citrates – pay attention to quality

Now, if you want to buy Base citrates, pay attention to the following criteria:

1. The product should contain various citrates: magnesium citrate, potassium citrate, zinc citrate, and calcium citrate.
2. Sodium should not be included, as this mineral is usually present in far too high quantities in the usual diet anyway due to the salt content (sodium chloride).
3. Calcium and magnesium should be contained in a balanced ratio of 2:1 (calcium : magnesium).
4. Zinc is added because this trace element is directly involved in the regulation of the acid-base balance via a special mechanism. Without zinc, the enzyme carbonic anhydrase would not work. Carbonic anhydrase, in turn, is important for maintaining the pH value in the blood. In the kidneys, carbonic anhydrase is also involved in the regulation of the acid-base balance.
5. High-quality products also provide silicon, a trace element that takes care of healthy, elastic and at the same time strong connective tissue, healthy bones and beautiful hair and – very importantly – prevents aluminium from being absorbed.
6. Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 can also be contained in an alkaline citrate product. We recommend that you make sure that the vitamins are of plant origin (vitamin D3 from lichen) and that the product is advertised as vegan. Many manufacturers still supply vitamin D3 from animal sources (wool wax from sheep), so that their base citrates are only allowed to carry the vegetarian label.
7. Since citrates are naturally contained in citrus fruits, some manufacturers add lemon flavoring to imitate nature, which is understandably anything but natural. Natural lemon powder, on the other hand, makes more sense, so that the alkaline citrate product contains not only the citrates from the fruit, but also the other accompanying substances from the fruit.
8. Of course, the product should not only be aroma-free, but also free of sugar, sweeteners, titanium dioxide and other superfluous additives.

If you are already taking a dietary supplement, such as zinc supplements or a vitamin D3/vitamin K2 supplement, then check the dose so that you do not get into an oversupply if you take alkaline citrates in addition. So, adjust the dose of your supplement accordingly.