Question About Electrolytes and Water

(Ye boi) #1

I heard that you need to drink a lot of water on keto, is this true? And if so, why? I also heard that consuming too much water causes too much electrolytes to be lost via urination, if this is so, and electrolytes are so important on keto, then why is it that most people recommend drinking so much water?

(Allie) #2

Drink to thirst only. Too much water flushes out the electrolytes.

(Ye boi) #3

Thanks :slight_smile:

#4

I wouldn’t say you need to drink any more than before keto, just depends on you. I have always drunk buckets keto and before! It is much more important if you fast to stay well hydrated. Electrolytes? Yes, although you can get most through food if you eat a good variety of the right foods. It is worth supplementing with salt and magnesium in particular, especially if you get any symptoms like cramps, headaches and restless legs.

(Linda Culbreth) #5

I have been waking up about 5 every morning with a significant headache. I get up and place a few coarse grains of pink salt under my tongue. By the time it’s gone, my headache is, too. In IF and keto eating, apparently you loose a lot of salt and water. Both need to be replaced. If your urine is light yellow, you’re okay on the fluid level. It’s is darker/orange-ish, etc., you need more fluids. It’s is clear, then you are probably drinking too much water.

(Jennifer Fawcett) #6

I had been waking up with a “keto hangover” almost every morning since I started keto back in June. All the pain and none of the fun lol. I chalk it up to struggling with electrolytes. I live in Arizona, so water is always an issue. I drink enough to maintain light yellow urine, but have started adding no salt to my morning coffee, having a cup of bullion every now and again, an ionic magnesium supplement and a Tums before bed. That, with wearing fuzzy socks when I sleep :wink: has really eased up on the leg cramping at 4 AM and the wicked headaches.

(Linda Culbreth) #7

Have you tried making your own bone broth instead of using the bullion? I make it by adding a couple of quarts of water and a couple of pork neck bones + about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the water. Let it crock for several hours, let it cool and them put the liquid in quart jars in the fridge. I drink a cup for breakfast with some bacon grease (all heated up) and some pink salt. Same for supper. I’m IF, eating only lunch and no snacks.That concoction has so many nutrients in it.

My headaches, etc.,are really helped by the salt. I am a T2D, off all diabetes meds, fasting blood sugar this morning at 108. BUT, and it’s a big one - I am on meds for high blood pressure - and it is coming down very fast because of the IF and being in ketosis. The doc is not sure what to do with me, but we are in the process of adjusting those meds as well. So feeling rough from symptoms of low blood pressure, especially during walking or just after.

Drink even more fluids and add more salt to deal with your keto flu.

(Jennifer Fawcett) #8

Oh, I make my own bone broth and jack it with a hit of acv, but when ya run out, boullion is an ok fallback. #pragmatic

(Sardelle) #9

I’m in AZ too. :smiley: And I hike and do sports. I just keep my sea salt shaker by the sink and dump salt into my hand whenever I go by. Kind of crazy, but I really do need that much here. I’ll get headaches, too, if I’m not getting enough.