Potassium and Citrate Fortification: New Links for Bone Health and Acid-Base Balance

Bone health and osteoporosis prevention has been a cornerstone of nutrition over the last several decades. In the United States alone, 10 million people have osteoporosis, with associated costs estimated at $17.9 billion per year--because ensuring healthy bones is a life-long prospect, this makes products targeting bone health extremely popular. Until recently, the focus had been on calcium fortification. However, emerging evidence shows we are ignoring important pieces of the bone-health puzzle—potassium and acid-base balance.

Science has shown potassium protects the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. And now, studies have found this mineral may reduce calcium excretion and bone turnover. In fact, recent studies on potassium have led the American Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) to recommend a daily minimum intake of 4.7 grams of potassium "to lower blood pressure, blunt the effects of salt, and reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss."

Our dietary shift away from fruits and vegetables has reduced potassium intake; plus, an excess uptake of animal protein and cereal flour, has shifted the body’s acid-base balance to the point where it can increase calcium loss from bone.

Fortification of foods and beverages with potassium citrate (a common food buffer and sequestrant) and other citrates can mimic fruits' and vegetables' acid-base balancing effect for novel bone-health concepts. Jungbunzlauer will look at the science and discuss its activities in regard to health claims and human studies that actively support this trend.

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