Electrolyte balance, long term?

#41

Not to me :slight_smile: Okay, I only know my salt need for roasted meat and it requires the least (I think) but for 5 pounds, it’s a teaspoonful :smiley: Sea salt or pink Himalayan, doesn’t matter to me as far as I know. I probably need way more for other dishes but half a cup, I would need very many liters of water with that meat (maybe 2 big potful of Goulash soup. not keto but tasty). I don’t think we ever put a whole tablespoon of salt into our biggest dishes ever… Even if one of us fancy really salty food at the moment, we can just add later. Sometimes I want our food saltier, sometimes my SO, it varies, apparently. Probably due to our other food, my body is quite sensitive and does its best to meet its 1 teaspoon of salt per day (I rarely track my salt intake but when I do, it’s that amount, no matter my diet. well I guess it was higher on high-carb as I overate there but not by much, I could eat a ton of food without using any except a minimal amount of natural sodium).

So, sodium is fine for me. I had slight Mg problems but only on vegetarian or low-meat keto. For some reason, much meat helps just like carbs do.

(Bob M) #42

My theory is that there are probably different types of cramps with different types of solutions. I had a cramp which I thought was due to overworking (working outdoors a ton, and possibly jogging). Went from bed to my fridge, pulled out pickle juice, had some, cramp immediately stopped. It can’t be electrolyte related, as there’s no way for electrolytes to get in my blood fast enough.

This is similar to this study, where they electrically induced cramps that were immediately ameliorated by pickle juice:

image
image.png727×122 5.93 KB

On the other hand, I’ve had some really obnoxious night-time cramps or much milder cramps in my foot while exercising in certain positions, and I think those are most likely related to not getting enough of something. When I get those, I increase my salt and magnesium content.

(E P) #43

Absolutely fascinating! Modern medicine doesn’t even know quite how pickle juice works…

On two non-consecutive days, I took 1 dose instead of 3 doses of magnesium and the peripheral neuropathy and insomnia came RIGHT back that same night. I’m no scientist, but that’s enough association/correlation for me.

By the way, most brands don’t list the elemental magnesium, just the total magnesium glycinate, which is only 14 percent Mg. I had been accidentally taking a tiny dose for a long time before I swapped to the NOW brand.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #44

Good Mg levels makes a big difference to me. I ran a thread asking ‘What type of Mg’? I still don’t fully understand what I’m doing. So as a result I take plenty and 3 different varieties.
Does the trick though.

(Ohio ) #45

I took your advice w/ Magnesium, epsom salt. Game changer here. Thanks Shinita.

#46

Hi… I’ve been suffering a lot with leg cramps specifically and mainly at nighttime. I’ve just had the most dreadful night :cry: I’m taking magnesium, have been putting a spray on when it happens, salting food lots but oh… the pain. I have just looked up Pickle juice. When you talk of that do you mean the brand of drink (didn’t even know there was one!) or something you make up? Thanks

(Ohio ) #47

no brand. There are pickle juice drinkers. I think they are even available in shots!

#48

Perfect. I will buy some today and try it.
Is this something to drink daily or just when you have cramp?

#49

Carbs let us hold onto the electrolytes, and more glycogen helps it from the cramping side of things, the water needed to pull the carbs into the muscle brings electrolytes as well.

(Ohio ) #50

I always wondered if this was the case. I’m too lazy to google to find out.

#51

I have that book and would have to agree, I think a lot if it is correct, but definitely a lot of it was a clear stretch as well.

I had another book (name escaping me) that was literally the same book, but for Iodine, I was taking 12.5mg of Iodine a day for a while (Iodoral) , and I did notice the difference, but nobody needs that much, not even close.

(Peter - Don't Fear the Fat ) #52

Yeah this is interesting … I had issues on a high carb diet (T2 etc) but never had a problem with electrolyes.
Must admit I’m still messing with my levels, the standard LMNT ratio and quantity doesn’t seem to work for me. My Guts happier with double measure of Mg.
LMNT’s 5:1 sodium-to-potassium seems OK but 60mg of magnesium doesn’t seem enough … no matter which form it takes.
And mg (microgram) and mg (magnesium) adds to the confusion lol

#53

I’ve landed on Genius’ Electrolyte blend, not as crazy strong as LMNT, but still dosed very well and cheaper. Before I found that I was using True Nutritions’s Electrolyte blend which is a 100% clone of LMNT, just way cheaper.