Posted on 12/04/2023 11:39:45 AM PST by ConservativeMind
A dietary supplement significantly reduced high blood sugar caused by a diuretic used to lower blood pressure while also correcting electrolyte imbalances.
Millions of Americans take thiazide diuretics, a class of medications used to treat high blood pressure. Although these drugs are very effective, Dr. Vongpatanasin said, they come with significant side effects, including reduced levels of the electrolyte potassium in the blood; higher cholesterol, triglycerides, and other circulating lipids; and elevated glucose (blood sugar), a precursor to Type 2 diabetes.
The increase in glucose prompted by these drugs has long been attributed to the decrease in potassium levels. Although low potassium is effectively treated with potassium chloride (KCl) supplements, Dr. Vongpatanasin explained, they don't seem to affect glucose levels.
Thiazide diuretics also can reduce levels of magnesium, another important electrolyte, in blood. To help solve this problem, researchers previously tested a supplement that combines potassium, magnesium, and citrate—an acidic compound found in fruits and vegetables. After administering this supplement to patients on thiazide diuretics for three weeks, the researchers found it to be effective at raising potassium and magnesium levels. However, that study was too short.
A randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 60 patients taking the thiazide diuretic chlorthalidone for 16 weeks, with half also receiving the combination supplement KMgCit and the other half supplemented only with KCl. During an initial three-week period when patients took the diuretic but didn't take the supplements, both groups experienced significant reductions in potassium and magnesium and increases in fasting glucose levels.
However, once the patients began supplementation, those on KCl increased their potassium levels, and those on KMgCit increased both potassium and magnesium levels. Although glucose measurements stayed high for the KCl group, they dipped an average of 7.9 milligrams per deciliter for the KMgCit group—a significant reduction.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
The decrease on glucose was “an average of 7.9 milligrams per deciliter for the KMgCit group—a significant reduction.”
Wow, this really seems to describe me. I struggle greatly with night cramps due to low potassium (even had to go to urgent care).
Any Freeper advice on who carries KMgCit tablets? Walgreens does not seem to have it.
Life Enhancement Potassium Supplement, 1020 mg,120 Servings, 240 caps
This is potassium carbonate. I wonder if this would work on cramps?
Both companies’ potassium / magnesium citrate supplement I mentioned in my post are available from Amazon.
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> low potassium
Bananas, kiwi, potassium tablets, alkaline water...
No idea who might carry KMgCit tablets, unfortunately. But if Walgreens does not carry it, you should still ask their pharmacist who does.
(And, have you tried using an Internet search engine?)
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