Effect of a supplement rich in alkaline minerals on acid-base balance in humans.
BACKGROUND
Western diets are considered acidogenic due to the high dietary acid load and a low intake of base-forming dietary minerals such as potassium, magnesium or calcium. In the present study we investigated the effect of a multimineral supplement (MMS) rich in alkaline minerals on acute and chronic regulation of acid-base balance with the pH of blood, urine and saliva as potential surrogate markers.


METHODS
Parameters were measured (i) without MMS intake, (ii) in the three consecutive hours following ingestion (blood and urinary pH) and (iii) during one week with or without MMS intake (self-monitored using pH measurement strips).


RESULTS
25 (15 female; 10 male) subjects (age 44 +/- 14 y; BMI 23.9 +/- 1.9 kg/m2) were enrolled in the investigation. Following acute administration of the MMS in the morning, blood ph (1 and 2 h after ingestion) rose from 7.40 to 7.41; p < 0.05, and also urinary pH 3 h after ingestion (5.94 to 6.57; p < 0.05) increased significantly. Following longer-term supplementation, both the increase in urinary pH in the morning and in the evening occurred within 1 day. Compared to pH values without the MMS, average pH in urine was 11% higher in the morning and 5% higher in the evening. Analyses of food records showed that the increase in urinary pH was not related to dietary change.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the ingestion of a multimineral supplement is associated with both a significant increase in blood and urinary pH. The health related consequences of this supplementation remain to be determined.
König
Daniel
D
University Hospital Freiburg, Centre for Internal Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, Prevention and Sports Medicine, Germany. daniel.koenig@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Muser
Klaus
K
Dickhuth
Hans-Hermann
HH
Berg
Aloys
A
Deibert
Peter
P
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000187:drug effects*; D000368:Aged; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D001769:Blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D014556:Urine
D001639:Bicarbonates; D008903:Minerals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide