DrFeb
Health Guide

Trisodium citrate

Let's talk about Trisodium Citrate. You might see it on an ingredient list and think, 'That sounds like a lab chemical,' but it's actually one of the most natural salts you can find! It is the sodium salt of citric acid, derived primarily from citrus fruits like lemons and limes. In the body, it plays a vital role in energy production. Think of it as a 'spark plug' for your cells and a powerful natural buffer that helps keep your body's pH levels balanced. It’s widely used as a food additive for tartness, but as a supplement, it’s a hero for athletes and those needing kidney support.
Evidence BasedDietary Supplement
Trisodium citrate
VERIFIED SOURCE

Bio-Activity Analysis

Urinary pH Increase (After 3 Days Use)

SCIENTIFIC DATA VISUALIZATION

Y-Axis
pH Level
Time (Days) →

Health Benefits & Sources

Why You Need It

  • Kidney Stone Prevention: Helps alkalinize urine, making it harder for painful stones to form.
  • Exercise Performance: May delay muscle fatigue by buffering lactic acid buildup.
  • Acid-Base Balance: Acts as a buffer to neutralize excess acidity in the body.

Deep Dive

Trisodium Citrate is a powerhouse of citrate, a molecule your body desperately needs to run efficiently. Its primary superpower is preventing kidney stones. Most stones form in acidic urine; Trisodium Citrate raises the pH, dissolving the minerals before they can clump together. For athletes, it acts as an alkalizing agent. High-intensity exercise produces lactic acid, causing that 'burn' and fatigue. By neutralizing this acid, Trisodium Citrate may help you push harder and recover faster. It also serves as a vital component in the Krebs cycle, essentially helping your body turn food into usable energy (ATP).

Natural Food Sources

While you can take this as a supplement (often labeled as 'Sodium Citrate'), you can easily get it from your diet. The body converts dietary citrate into its usable form.

FoodAmount% DV (approx)
Lemons1 fruit25%
Limes1 fruit20%
Oranges1 medium15%
Spinach1 cup cooked10%
Tomatoes1 cup8%

Supplementation

Dosage: Typical supplemental doses range from 600mg to 1,800mg daily, usually split into 2-3 doses.

Who Should Take It?

  • Recurrent Kidney Stone Formers: It is the gold standard natural therapy for preventing calcium oxalate stones.
  • Vegans/Vegetarians: Often used to help boost pH levels if the diet is high in acid-forming foods.
  • Endurance Athletes: Used pre-workout to buffer lactic acid.

Top Food Sources

Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed is best
Lime Juice
Great in water
Citrus Fruits
Oranges, Grapefruits
Spinach
Cooked releases more citrate
Bell Peppers
Red peppers are good source

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid. Trisodium Citrate is the salt of Citric Acid. However, your body processes them differently. Citrate is the final breakdown product of Vitamin C, so they are metabolically related.
It serves two purposes: it adds a tart flavor (citrus taste) and helps buffer the acidity of the drink, making it easier on the stomach during heavy exertion.
Indirectly, yes. By alkalinizing the urine, it helps the kidneys excrete uric acid more efficiently, which is the cause of gout.
It can. If you are salt-sensitive or have hypertension, you should look for 'Potassium Citrate' instead, which offers the same citrate benefits without the sodium.

Safety & Side Effects

Safety & Side Effects

General Safety: Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used in moderation.

Side Effects:

  • High Sodium Content: This is the biggest concern. Because it is 'Tri-sodium citrate,' it adds significant sodium to your diet. This can raise blood pressure.
  • Gastrointestinal Distress: High doses can cause nausea, bloating, or diarrhea.

Who Should Avoid It?

  • People with High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) or those on a low-sodium diet.
  • Kidney Disease Patients: Specifically those who cannot excrete sodium properly. Always consult a nephrologist first.
  • Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Stick to food sources; supplemental safety data is limited.

Scientific References

  • [1]Rodriguez, A., et al. (2019). 'Potassium citrate vs. sodium citrate: A comparison of efficacy in urinary alkalinization.' *Journal of Urology*.
  • [2]Lloyd, A., et al. (2020). 'The effect of citrate loading on exercise performance and acid-base balance.' *European Journal of Applied Physiology*.
  • [3]National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Office of Dietary Supplements. 'Potassium and Sodium Fact Sheet.'