It is a mineral that is essential for the body and thus, it is important to ensure that the right levels are maintained throughout. An average person requires anywhere between 2000-4000 mg of potassium citrate on a daily basis. Our body derives its requisite of potassium citrate from food. It is naturally present in foods like banana, cauliflower, orange juice, tomatoes, raw carrots and cabbage, beetroot, yam and papaya. It is important that the body's needs of potassium citrate be adequately met.

Deficiency of potassium citrate in the body may manifest in many forms like irritability, weakness, anxiety, depression, pain in the joints, constipation and irregularity in heart beat, water retention, headaches, growth problems and even high levels of cholesterol. Thus, a supplement is advisable in cases of extreme deficiency so as to be able to maintain a balance. It is essential that the supplement be taken under the supervision of a medical practitioner.

Potassium citrate is very useful in treating ailments related to the kidney. Potassium citrate has the unique property of being effective in maintaining the requisite balance in the uric acid levels. Thus, it is used by medical practitioners for the treatment of conditions like urinary calculi or kidney stones. Potassium citrate is also seen to be useful in bettering muscle and nerve functions.

Potassium citrate supplements of any kind are not advisable in the case of patients suffering from any ailment related to the kidney. It can actually have very drastic adverse effects. People using anti-inflammatory drugs are also advised to keep off potassium citrate supplements.

Precautions to be followed before starting on a course of potassium citrate supplements:

&bullIt is essential to inform your medical practitioner of any past history of kidney related diseases or heart ailment.

&bullHigh blood pressure patients and those having any kind of allergy must also intimate the doctor in advance.

The medical practitioner must be consulted immediately in case of an overdose or any abnormal symptoms noticed while using potassium citrate.