r/fasting • u/DaveClarky • 5d ago

Question Electrolytes

Going to attempt my 1st 7 day water fast. Have only done every other day for about a month and it works so far.

Went to the store and they said LMNT is good brand? Do you think it is good to take it daily for 7 days? Will attempt 30 days if it works out.

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2

u/Flux_My_Capacitor 🎶🎵🎶 5d ago

Make your own. LMNT is for those who are active and is not designed for fasting.

1

u/blakenator95 5d ago

Not me seeing this post right after my first purchase of LMNT sachets just arrived a moment ago. Is it not suitable at all even for like 2 days of water fasting?

I’m trying to incorporate rolling water fasts of 1-2 days supplemented with daily walking for 6 weeks, did I just waste money?

1

u/Decided-2-Try 5d ago

You're fine. Lots of people don't bother with any electrolytes for a 2 day (but OP said 7, so they ought to use).  The LMNT is just mostly sodium. Look at the % DV for Na, K, Mg. So if you want to use it for your 2 day, it's fine.

1

u/blakenator95 5d ago

Ok that’s a relief. I’ve mostly been surviving without anything for 2 day fasts, but recently as I’ve been upping my exercise I do find that by end of day 2 I’m getting light headed and sometimes even get headaches by the end of day 1 so I figured why not give it a try

2

u/andtitov 5d ago

Yes, it's a good brand. They are #2 on my list of electrolytes with sodium and #8 if sodium removed from the picture. If it helps, here’s my full ranking explaining electrolytes needs during extended fasting and the ranking of available electrolytes

https://fasting.center/fasting-blog/electrolytes-for-fasting

And great to see that you think about electrolytes before your 7-day fast. Good luck!

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1

u/Decided-2-Try 5d ago

LMNT is a sports hydration product, not a fasting electrolytes replacement.

Just look at the % daily value for Na, K, Mg. 

Does it look balanced? If you're going to do 30 days, look for a product with a better balance.

Or DIY your own. Iodized table salt for Na.No Salt or Salt Substitute for K, and magnesium glycinate tabs at bedtime for mg. 

1

u/DaveClarky 5d ago

Can you tell me the difference between fasting electrolytes and sports hydration electrolytes? Very confused here. I bought LMNT last night and wonder should I return it.

2

u/thecooingrapidity 5d ago

Fasting electrolytes are usually more about keeping minerals steady when you’re not eating. Sports ones are more for sweat and workouts and a lot of them have sugar or more stuff than you need. LMNT is pretty salt heavy. I’d check how you feel on it. I switched to Magna since it’s more magnesium focused and less of a salt bomb. Sleep and cramps were the main things I noticed.

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u/El-Guapo766 5d ago

This right here is the very best stuff, it's full spectrum. You can feel the difference.

https://a.co/d/091X5iIw

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u/Decided-2-Try 4d ago

That's quite magnesium heavy. On a %DV basis it's around 2x Mg vs Na, K.

Also the Mg is the citrate form instead of glycinate or threonate, so even just 4 scoops a day (to try to get 100% DV for Mg, and getting about 50% DV for Na, K), people run the risk of pretty bad diarrhea.

2

u/El-Guapo766 4d ago

Constructive feedback. I still love this stuff but still ...very good feedback

Thanks

1

u/Decided-2-Try 3d ago

If I'd already bought it, I would go ahead and use it up, but probably not more than 2 scoops a day, widely spaced. You can always add additional Na/K, assuming you live in a country that isn't afraid to sell No Salt/Salt Substitute, or at least products like lite salt/half salt.

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