Please clear up the sodium/cal/mag/potassium thing for me...
anewlifeat40
Posts: 179 Member
Some websites say to take it just during keto flu when you're starting out, but somehow I got the impression along the way that I need to continue taking it every day long term... Which is it?
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I think the amount needed lessens as you get more adapted, but I would say you would have to continue your electrolyte regime long term.
Think about it...if the 'flu' symptoms are an electrolyte imbalance and you remedy it by keeping up sodium/potassium/magnesium, and then you all of a sudden stop taking it, then you risk getting the bad symptoms again.1 -
samanthaluangphixay wrote: »I think the amount needed lessens as you get more adapted, but I would say you would have to continue your electrolyte regime long term.
Think about it...if the 'flu' symptoms are an electrolyte imbalance and you remedy it by keeping up sodium/potassium/magnesium, and then you all of a sudden stop taking it, then you risk getting the bad symptoms again.
Wouldn't your body adapt though after the initial few weeks? Can you take it less frequently? I ask cause I'm wondering if I'm actually retaining water now...0 -
Your body will adapt so you end up needing less...but you still need it.
For example, I stopped taking my magnesium supplement every day once my body got used to what was going on and I stopped getting cramps.0 -
With my surgery, I know I'm a special case, but I have not found that I've needed anything extra in the way of these supplements - I supplement with them because of my RNY surgery, but I've not had to increase them. Weird, right? Anna is eating pickles like no tomorrow because she can feel the sodium loss when she moved to 100 carbs or less a day...0
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your gonna have to experiment with this one, everyone is different. some people reduce their sodium intake back to normal after they adapt others need to continually supplement. I found when I started increasing my carbs from the 20g range to 100g range that I still needed sodium and magnesium. I thought because I was higher carb at times that it would balance out, at least in my mind it would, as if it were a sliding scale. it didn't work like that at all, I ended up with massive neck spasms after one night of not taking magnesium. I can also feel the low sodium like @rowdyslady mentions, literally my body is physically weak and I cant concentrate my head starts to hurt, and that's after being at or over 100g carbs daily for a while3
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@RowdysLady Pickles for sodium were my go-to snack, also... however, I also used them to cut the cravings for sweets.
@samanthaluangphixay I didn't start the magnesium until I ended up in the ER with back spasms that I thought were kidney stones... omg, pain pain pain! But, the magnesium fixed me right up...
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anewlifeat40 wrote: »Wouldn't your body adapt though after the initial few weeks? Can you take it less frequently? I ask cause I'm wondering if I'm actually retaining water now...
This happened to me too. My weight starting creeping up and I could feel the squishy water in my legs and ankles. I used broth for the sodium but have almost completely cut that out with no repercussions. I may drink some if I start getting a headache or feel sluggish. I do still take 1 tsp of mag each night. @anewlifeat40
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I skipped the electrolyte tablet today (took one/day the last 4 days) and drinking diet coke for the diuretic affect... Feeling better already!1
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I didn't realize diet coke is a diuretic. My ankles have been so swollen and painful the last few days, I upped my carbs today to try to get some relief. I can't seem to find the right balance of sodium/potassium/magnesium. Could I try any diet soda or is it something special in the cola?0
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RunRachelleRun wrote: »I didn't realize diet coke is a diuretic. My ankles have been so swollen and painful the last few days, I upped my carbs today to try to get some relief. I can't seem to find the right balance of sodium/potassium/magnesium. Could I try any diet soda or is it something special in the cola?
It's the caffeine... Too hot today for coffee... plus all I have is decaf at home... What a pain to try to figure out the right combo!0 -
samanthaluangphixay wrote: »Your body will adapt so you end up needing less...but you still need it.
For example, I stopped taking my magnesium supplement every day once my body got used to what was going on and I stopped getting cramps.
I have found this has not been the case for me. At the beginning of next month I'll have 2 year's worth of this WOE under my belt. I STILL get muscle cramps every day and I supplement magnesium, potassium AND get at least 5000mg of sodium (usually more) every day! That said, I agree with what @auntstephie321 said above...everyone is different. You are going to need to find what works best for you!3 -
anewlifeat40 wrote: »RunRachelleRun wrote: »I didn't realize diet coke is a diuretic. My ankles have been so swollen and painful the last few days, I upped my carbs today to try to get some relief. I can't seem to find the right balance of sodium/potassium/magnesium. Could I try any diet soda or is it something special in the cola?
It's the caffeine... Too hot today for coffee... plus all I have is decaf at home... What a pain to try to figure out the right combo!
Ah, thanks. My heart doesn't tolerate caffeine anymore. I guess I'm out of luck!0 -
RunRachelleRun wrote: »anewlifeat40 wrote: »RunRachelleRun wrote: »I didn't realize diet coke is a diuretic. My ankles have been so swollen and painful the last few days, I upped my carbs today to try to get some relief. I can't seem to find the right balance of sodium/potassium/magnesium. Could I try any diet soda or is it something special in the cola?
It's the caffeine... Too hot today for coffee... plus all I have is decaf at home... What a pain to try to figure out the right combo!
Ah, thanks. My heart doesn't tolerate caffeine anymore. I guess I'm out of luck!
Maybe google natural diuretics?1 -
anewlifeat40 wrote: »RunRachelleRun wrote: »anewlifeat40 wrote: »RunRachelleRun wrote: »I didn't realize diet coke is a diuretic. My ankles have been so swollen and painful the last few days, I upped my carbs today to try to get some relief. I can't seem to find the right balance of sodium/potassium/magnesium. Could I try any diet soda or is it something special in the cola?
It's the caffeine... Too hot today for coffee... plus all I have is decaf at home... What a pain to try to figure out the right combo!
Ah, thanks. My heart doesn't tolerate caffeine anymore. I guess I'm out of luck!
Maybe google natural diuretics?
dandelion root either as capsules or tea is diuretic
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Thanks for the suggestion. My allergist told me I shouldn't try dandelion root due to my severe pollen allergy. I'm pretty cautious (okay, terrified might be more accurate) with most herbs now. I'm a mess!0
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RunRachelleRun wrote: »Thanks for the suggestion. My allergist told me I shouldn't try dandelion root due to my severe pollen allergy. I'm pretty cautious (okay, terrified might be more accurate) with most herbs now. I'm a mess!
Are we twins separated at birth?! I have oral allergy syndrome and have severe pollen/weed/tree/grass allergies that cause related food allergies different times of the year... Crazy stuff!0 -
Could be lol. It's ridiculous. Poor us!
I had an anaphylactic reaction to pollens during testing. My allergist said he had rarely seen such a severe reaction and couldn't even recommend allergy shots as he thought they would be too dangerous for me. Prior to the testing, he thought my previous allergist must have been a quack to have diagnosed me with so many allergies.
I don't know anything about food allergies related to pollen at different times of the year though. That sounds interesting. And maybe best for me not to know. My diet is already pretty limited lol1 -
Im adapted now but it took a good six months. I eat bacon or ham almost everyday and salt my food pretty liberally. I think those things take care of my sodium. I supplement with 1000mg of mag when I get constipated but that is less frequent now. I've never worried about potassium and my doc says all is good. I've been at this since mid October and am down almost 90lbs8
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Wow @daylitemag ! That's a long time. Good job hanging in there. And congrats on your huge loss!
@anewlifeat40 Thanks, I did Google natural diuretics and found a few I can try or have more of: celery, asparagus, parsley, lemon, ginger, hibiscus (I am pretty sure I have some tea with this as one of the ingredients). . . .3
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