The present invention includes compositions and methods for using a single pharmaceutical preparation of KMgCit is a convenient surrogate or to support the DASH diet in lowering blood pressure among patients with essential hypertension. Support is provided by potassium, magnesium and alkali, which overcome the underlying physiological-biochemical disturbances of essential hypertension, such as salt sensitivity, insulin resistance, low urinary pH, low serum magnesium and renal leak of calcium. Positive effects of KMgCitrate disclosed in normal subjects and patients with stones, provides assurance that KMgCitrate should ameliorate the above physiological-biochemical disturbances and associated disorders in patients with essential hypertension.