Value of Liquid Potassium Magnesium Citrate in Controlling Hypertension

In this protocol, the investigators want to explore whether KMgCit taken during a customary
dietary setting, might serve as a "surrogate" for the DASH diet to lower blood pressure.
This study has obvious biomedical importance. Lifestyle modifications are often recommended
for pre- or Stage I hypertension. The DASH diet is such a modification that has been shown
to be effective. However, this diet is costly and difficult to adhere to long-term. If
KMgCit were shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure, it would provide a safe and
convenient alternative to the DASH diet.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Men or women > 21 years of age

- Any Race/Ethnicity

- Pre- or Stage I hypertension (BP >= 120/80 and <= 159/99)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Diabetes mellitus

- Renal impairment (serum creatinine > 1.4 mg/dL)

- Any heart diseases such as congestive heart failure or sustained arrhythmia

- Chronic NSAID use

- Treatment with diuretics

- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requiring treatment with acid reducing agents
or antacid more than once a week

- Esophageal-gastric ulcer

- Chronic diarrhea

- Hyperkalemia (serum > 4.6 mEq/L for patients on ACE inhibitors or ARBs, serum K > 5.0
for patient not on ACE inhibitors or ARBs)

- Abnormal liver function test (AST or ALT above upper limit of normal range)

- Subjects who require any potassium supplement on a regular basis from any reasons

- Pregnancy

- History of major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia