science nutrition blog

By Steve Blechman

Dietary Citrate Slows Vascular Aging, Boosts Heart Health & Exercise Performance.

A new study published September 4, 2025 in the journal Aging Cell, reported that "dietary supplementation with citrate delayed vascular aging and alleviates age related vascular diseases by improving mitochondrial function via activation of AMPK- related pathways “.^†

Citrate is a key metabolite of the citric acid cycle - also known as the Kreb cycle. It plays a role in mitochondrial and energy production. Mitochondria are the "power house" of the cell, and the cells energy factories.

The study "findings indicate that citrate alleviates age-associated vascular dysfunctions by protecting

mitochondria.These results suggest potential clinical application of citrate supplementation for intervention against vascular aging and age-related vascular diseases".^†

The minerals potassium and magnesium are important for electrolyte balance and cardiovascular

health. Magnesium plays a critical role in athletic performance , muscle function and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) production for muscle contraction.^†

Potassium helps relax blood vessels which help to control healthy blood flow. Potassium works best when synergistically combined with magnesium.Magnesium keeps blood vessels flexible and with potassium plays a role in managing blood pressure.^†

POTASSIUM & MAGNESIUM CITRATE CAN ENHANCE HEART HEALTH AND EXERCISE PERFORMANCE

Each serving of AML PRE WORKOUT® , AML PRE XTREME® and AML POST WORKOUT® contains 500 mg of potassium from potassium citrate and 100 mg of magnesium from magnesium citrate. Research has shown that dietary potassium and magnesium can lower blood pressure. Also, increased potassium and magnesium intake promotes vasodilation by increasing nitric oxide and prostacyclin leading to improved blood flow, endothelial function and lower blood pressure.^† 

 Potassium and magnesium citrate have the capacity to bolster cardiovascular performance for improved endurance. Furthermore, potassium and magnesium citrate have been shown to improve exercise performance by buffering lactic acid buildup in muscle, further improving exercise performance, power and strength. Potassium and magnesium citrate act as a blood buffer by increasing pH in the extracellular environment and increasing the gradient between the blood and active muscle. 

 Magnesium is a mineral involved in more than 300 metabolic reactions. It promotes protein synthesis, regulates energy production, oxygen uptake, central nervous system function, electrolyte balance, glucose metabolism, insulin function and muscle activity, including the heart. Low potassium and magnesium levels may cause muscle cramps. Also, long-term treatment with potassium citrate has been shown to be effective in prevention of kidney stones. Excessive exercise causes fluid loss and dehydration and can increase the risk of kidney stones because of dehydration. Adequate potassium and magnesium citrate can help prevent kidney stones. Also, potassium citrate has been shown to prevent kidney stones in people on a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet can also increase acid load in the blood. Urinary magnesium levels, urinary citrate and pH are decreased. Hyperacidity can cause chronic acidosis and enhance muscle protein breakdown and bone loss. Intense training and adequate potassium and magnesium citrate might protect against metabolic acidosis in athletes consuming large amounts of protein.^†

 Sodium bicarbonate has been shown to improve anaerobic performance and strength by buffering lactic acid. The problem with sodium bicarbonate is that it is not well tolerated and causes gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Potassium and magnesium citrate is a preferred buffering agent and well tolerated by the GI tract.

 Potassium and magnesium citrate are osmoprotectants when combined with the osmolytes: creatine monohydrate and betaine. Creatine monohydrate and betaine enhances muscle hydration, maintains cell volume and fluid balance. AML PRE-WORKOUT® and AML POST WORKOUT® formulas improve fluid balance in muscle for greater strength gains and muscle protein synthesis. So why choose whether you should take potassium before or after workout? Potassium and magnesium citrate is a vital aid in both pre- and post-workout formulas.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© Published by Advanced Research Media, Inc., 2025
© Reprinted with permission from Advanced Research Media, Inc 

REFERENCES:

Dietary Citrate Restores Age-Related Endothelial Cell Mitochnondrial Dysfunction and Alleviates Atherosclerosis. Ya Zhao et al. Aging Cell, September 4, 2025.

Magnesium Enhances Exercise Performance via Increasing Glucose Availability in the Blood, Muscle, and Brain during Exercise. Hsuan-Ying Chen, Fu-Chou Cheng, Huan-Chuan Pan, Jaw-Cheng Hsu, Ming-Fu Wang. Published January 20, 2014. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0085486

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