Question how much LMNT is too much

(VJC) #1

I am back on Keto but not losing weight as fast as before, starting off the calorie count was high

Someone suggested LMNT not to lose weight but just as part of Keto to enjoy some kind of drink with flavor

I hesitated because of the cost, though once I tried it I found it curbed hunger greatly, now I am doing one a day, and have less calories, but I feel like If I had 2 I would be really well controlled at right under 2K cals and losing weight comfortably

My only concern is water retention. I take a water pill for water retention, not every day, usually, Keto has helped with this in the past, but seem when drinking this I would still need the pill every other day

Also I don’t go to the gym or anything

Should I be concerned about too much sodium?

(Bob M) #2

Is the water pill based on salt?

Salt seems to be an individual thing. I’ve seen people who eat a ton of it, and others who don’t eat as much. I also find that salt acts to lessen hunger. I haven’t tried two LMNTs in a day though.

#3

Unless you’re a very small fraction of the population, sodium doesn’t cause water retention for most. It’s more from being off balance with Potassium than anything. Diuretics are almost always a bad idea. Always a safe bet your hydration levels are bad when you’re taking diuretics.

That said LMNT is heavy duty, most don’t need that much, and, it’s overpriced. True Nutrition ripped it off exactly and it’s like half the cost. You can also do a half scoop, which is more of a normal dose. Given that keto itself has a pretty substantial diuretic effect, you should really figure out why you need diuretics in the first place. Are you tracking your electrolyte intake? If not, start. Most people are way below on potassium.

(VJC) #4

No I don’t know my electrolyte intake I do take multi vitamin

However so you understand the only really I am even drinking this, is that it works wonders with hunger control

I was really struggling with that till I started with these drinks

(VJC) #5

I could also say I feel def Carbs has a big effect especially when mixed with High Salt
If I were to have a big Pizza meal or Chinese food I would blow up like a balloon

Last time I went keto I did not need water pill any more, though this time is not going as easy as the first time

but still not as bad as when carbs are there

Now I know its not carbs alone because bead alone does not have this effect, and in the same vain a lot of salt without the cabs does have and effect but not nearly as much

the combo is crazy though

#6

When that has that effect, you were under/functionally dehydrated, which most people are. It’s even more prevalent in keto circles with all the “drink to thirst” nonsense. Dehydration very often makes you feel hungry.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #7

Probably not. A couple of recent studies showed that the healthiest sodium intake is between 10 and 15 g/day, which works out to 4-6 g/day of sodium chloride. That is far more than most government recommendations; int fact, the U.S. recommendation is unhealthily low.

Sodium is the easiest electrolyte to control, and keeping intake in the right range also helps the body to regulate calcium, magnesium, and potassium. While I firmly believe that it should be possible (in principle, at least) to get all our nutrients from our food, some people have metabolic irregularities that require supplementation.

The question of what constitutes proper hydration is a vexed one. Dr. Tim Noakes, the researcher and matathoner, was the one who originally started saying that we needed copious amounts of liquid, and sport drink manufacturers took the advice and overdid it, until runners started collapsing and even dying from over-hydration during races. Dr. Noakes has had to apologise and change his advice to “drink to thirst.”

I have actually seen advice to the effect that once we start feeling thirsty we are dangerously dehydrated and on the point of death. This is bollocks. Drink if you’re thirsty, and stop drinking when your thirst is quenched. Most people’s body signals are sufficient to let us know when we need liquid. However, it is true that some people tend to experience thirst as hunger, so it is always helpful to drink something when we feel hungry, to see if that meets our need.

These forums have two dogmas (or ‘dogmata’, as Richard Morris puts it):

  1. Show me the science.
  2. Figure out what works for you.
(Bill Kieger) #8

I too have often wondered about electrolytes while being on a low carb diet for 8yrs now. I bought some LMNT for my daughter who works out hard doing Jujitsu. Works great for her.
When comparing LMNT (I’ve never bought it, can make my own for pennies a drink), to other electrolytes, I came to the conclusion that it most likely should be used by those who partake in activities where one loses lots of salt through sweating! LMNT’s potassium levels seem quite low relative to sodium levels! IMHO.
So, if not exercising heavily, I would use a different electrolyte drink (or make my own) that had a more 1:1 or even 2:1 K:Na ratio. But that’s just me!

Since you are on a “water pill” (furosemide/lasix? For congestive heart failure? Kidney disease?) I’d be very careful messing around with electrolytes without the consent of your Dr.

I personally have gone on and off homemade electrolytes for years and really don’t notice much difference. I always salt to taste. Sometimes it tastes great, other times it doesn’t. I listen to my body as it seems knows best what it needs.

(Bob M) #9

I usually use LMNT only when I’m fasting at least 24 hours. I do like to drink pickle juice, though, if I have it, not daily, just when I remember.

You could just add salt, even under/on your tongue, which I did before my wife got LMNT.

Potassium is one of those things that’s tough, because to get your supposedly daily allotment is practically impossible. I used to use No Salt, which adds potassium, but even it adds only a small amount.

I do get leg cramps periodically, but they occur so infrequently that I can’t determine what causes them. I do increase magnesium, salt though. Pickle juice really does stop them, almost immediately. Odd.

(Nicholas Gentry) #10

I just recently started drinking LMNT and I put one packet in a liter of water. still seems a little too salty… But I enjoy one a day but no more than that… I was curious about more than one a day But the only reason I could see the need for that is extra expenditure of energy. ie working in the yard longer than planned.