Fasting and electrolytes

Ironandwine69

What do you guys think about electrolyte imbalance during fasting periods?

I have been practicing IF for many years and overall I love it. However during cutting cycles I noticed I would get light-headed and get headaches. So I would break my fast just to get rid of these symptoms, even though I was not hungry.
After alot of research, I had a suspicion that these symptoms might be signs of electrolyte imbalance ( I drink a TON of water too). So I bought some electrolyte supplement to use with my water and have not had a headache since.

Does anyone have experience with electrolyte supplements?

RedSquadronLeader

Yes. I seem to be disposed to problems with electrolyte balance - usually the symptom is a minor headache or general low energy, but occasionally I'll be very lightheaded or have brief blackouts if I get up too fast, during working out, etc. Bought an electrolyte supplement on Amazon you add to water (I think it's called Endure), it's got a better balance than Gatorade and also Gatorade is gross and I don't want all that sugar.
Anyway, ever since I started adding that to my water whenever I work out, or really just once a day regardless, no more issues! I also have very low blood pressure genetically; a doc told me to eat more salt - since I cook basically everything from scratch I'm mindful to salt the crap out of everything. Salt. It's magic.

nvmomketo

When insulin goes down you retain less water and lose electrolytes along with a few pounds of water weight. It's true for LCHF diets as well as for fasting.

It is recommended that you get 3000-5000mg of sodium per day. There are 2300mg of sodium in a teaspoon of table salt so that's a couple of teaspoons. I add 1 tsp of salt to my water and drink salty boullion. Others make keto-aid with a calorie free flavoured drink and a lot of salt. It could be something to look into.

Ironandwine69

RedSquadronLeader wrote: »

Yes. I seem to be disposed to problems with electrolyte balance - usually the symptom is a minor headache or general low energy, but occasionally I'll be very lightheaded or have brief blackouts if I get up too fast, during working out, etc. Bought an electrolyte supplement on Amazon you add to water (I think it's called Endure), it's got a better balance than Gatorade and also Gatorade is gross and I don't want all that sugar.
Anyway, ever since I started adding that to my water whenever I work out, or really just once a day regardless, no more issues! I also have very low blood pressure genetically; a doc told me to eat more salt - since I cook basically everything from scratch I'm mindful to salt the crap out of everything. Salt. It's magic.

Interestingly enough Gatorade was my first clue. I happen to drink some Gatorade once and it made me feel much better. And that's when I started researching electrolyte imbalance. I like the taste of Gatorade, but even the low calorie ones have enough calories to break my fast. I wanted something close to calorie free. I found Dr. Price's electrolyte mix, it has only 5 calories per serving. I take one or two a day now and I feel great. I can't believe it took me a long while to figure this out.
I will check Endure out, maybe they have some flavors I might like.
Do you use it every day?

RedSquadronLeader

I use it most days, unless I'm mostly just sitting around doing nothing. The one I've got is unflavored - just electrolytes dissolved in water, but you could add those Mio drops or whatever to give it some flavor too, I would think. I haven't been doing IF lately but I have before, actually now I wonder if I'd feel better on it with the electrolytes. Maybe something I'll try.

MoiAussi93

If I am feeling like I'm low, or to keep symptoms away if I am eating very low carb, I just add some salt to a glass of water.

However, if you want something else, Powerade Zero will do the trick and has zero calories...though I assume it has artificial sweeteners of some type. I have had that a couple of times, and it is very good.

Ironandwine69

RedSquadronLeader wrote: »

I use it most days, unless I'm mostly just sitting around doing nothing. The one I've got is unflavored - just electrolytes dissolved in water, but you could add those Mio drops or whatever to give it some flavor too, I would think. I haven't been doing IF lately but I have before, actually now I wonder if I'd feel better on it with the electrolytes. Maybe something I'll try.

OMG the difference with the electrolytes mix is night and day. I am loving IF again. I would totally recommend trying it.

Ironandwine69

nvmomketo wrote: »

When insulin goes down you retain less water and lose electrolytes along with a few pounds of water weight. It's true for LCHF diets as well as for fasting.

It is recommended that you get 3000-5000mg of sodium per day. There are 2300mg of sodium in a teaspoon of table salt so that's a couple of teaspoons. I add 1 tsp of salt to my water and drink salty boullion. Others make keto-aid with a calorie free flavoured drink and a lot of salt. It could be something to look into.

It's funny how everyone tells you to stay away from salt. Yet it's so important.

lilithsrose

If you don't mind the flavor, try pickle juice for replacing electrolytes. My friends doctor suggested she drink it when she was going through chemo. I then did some research on it because I had never heard of that before.

Ironandwine69

rhaiin wrote: »

If you don't mind the flavor, try pickle juice for replacing electrolytes. My friends doctor suggested she drink it when she was going through chemo. I then did some research on it because I had never heard of that before.

I love pickle juice!!!Thank you for the suggestion.