Hey I am just a few days into the Carnivore diet and things are great so far. I know electrytes are very important to health and wellbeing so I will tell you what i am up to to adress this and alao get your imput if you think i need more.

I use salt to get my electrolytes. I mixed a 1:1:1 ratio of pink himiilayan, celtic, and Redman's salt together, one cup of each. I decided to use three different types of salt for a broad spectrum effect, knowing that each salt has its own distinctive mineral profiles in varying quantities. I think this broad spectrum approach covers more bases than a single salt alone. My daily goal is 2 teaspoons of salt per day.

My question is, is this adequate to address the electrolyte balance in a carnivore diet? And if not is there anything else that can improve my electrolyte balance? Thanks!

Carnivore Chef

A definitive answer would be…maybe 😏.

Sodium is only on of three essential electrolytes we may need to supplement. There is also magnesium and potassium. You will not get all three but just using salt. Of the three I do believe that sodium may be the most important.

In the beginning of stating your carnivore journey you will usually be flushing fluids out of your body at a higher rate than ever before because you no longer have a fiver in your system to help you retain it. So when you flush that fluid you also flush out electrolytes. Many people find that they need to supplement those electrolytes back in for a period of time until they become fully fat adapted and their bodies adjust. Many find that as they learn to eat properly they can get what they need from diet alone and don’t need to supplement. I find that to be truer of younger people than older.

If you are feeling tired, weak, cramping, not sleeping well or just generally feeling drug down you may need to up your fat intake and take some electrolyte supplements.

I like to caution everyone to make sure they really need them. Most people just silly nilly take them just because everyone else is taking them and you may need to in the beginning but long term they could hurt your health. It’s always a good idea to get some blood work done and see if you really need to take them. I speak from experience on this as I was taking LMNT in the beginning and then switched to KetoChow, for cost reasons. After about 9 months of being a carnivore I had a bi annual physical and my blood work showed that I was in dangerous territory for potassium. Too much potassium can stop your heart and for someone with a heart condition that was bad news for me. So I immediately stopped the KetoChow. I do keep some LMNT on hand for those days when I’m going to be working all day in the heat but that’s to only time I take it. I have played around with some magnesium citrate for constipation and magnesium glycinate for sleep and cramps but for the most part all I do now is just liberally salt my food and salt my water once or twice throughout the day.

I am also taking a daily dose of iodine as well.

8 hours ago, Geezy said:

A definitive answer would be…maybe 😏.

Sodium is only on of three essential electrolytes we may need to supplement. There is also magnesium and potassium. You will not get all three but just using salt. Of the three I do believe that sodium may be the most important.

In the beginning of stating your carnivore journey you will usually be flushing fluids out of your body at a higher rate than ever before because you no longer have a fiver in your system to help you retain it. So when you flush that fluid you also flush out electrolytes. Many people find that they need to supplement those electrolytes back in for a period of time until they become fully fat adapted and their bodies adjust. Many find that as they learn to eat properly they can get what they need from diet alone and don’t need to supplement. I find that to be truer of younger people than older.

If you are feeling tired, weak, cramping, not sleeping well or just generally feeling drug down you may need to up your fat intake and take some electrolyte supplements.

I like to caution everyone to make sure they really need them. Most people just silly nilly take them just because everyone else is taking them and you may need to in the beginning but long term they could hurt your health. It’s always a good idea to get some blood work done and see if you really need to take them. I speak from experience on this as I was taking LMNT in the beginning and then switched to KetoChow, for cost reasons. After about 9 months of being a carnivore I had a bi annual physical and my blood work showed that I was in dangerous territory for potassium. Too much potassium can stop your heart and for someone with a heart condition that was bad news for me. So I immediately stopped the KetoChow. I do keep some LMNT on hand for those days when I’m going to be working all day in the heat but that’s to only time I take it. I have played around with some magnesium citrate for constipation and magnesium glycinate for sleep and cramps but for the most part all I do now is just liberally salt my food and salt my water once or twice throughout the day.

I am also taking a daily dose of iodine as well.

Thanks for your input, its really helpful. I eat a LOT of fats now, and try maintainaning 2 teaspoons of salt daily, and drink a few gkasses of water too. Good idea to hsve some labs done in a few months to see where things stand but honestly i don't see the need for electrolyte supplements atm but will pay att3ntion to my body speaking, and your right they could be dangerous if not taken with caution. I started Carnivore on tuesday, i don't feel tired, more energetic if anything, and am sleeping ok enough so i think things are on track.

Yep on Geezy's post and yep on yours.

Your body will tell you soon enough. The first few pounds lost is usually water and with that water goes some electrolytes and minerals. It differs for everyone.

I tried LMNY but didn't like the taste. I tried salt in my water and that didn't do the trick either. I went to youtube and found a "LMNT" type electrolyte home recipe and made my own. From there it evolved into using that pre-made drink mix as my 'table salt'.

It is pink Himalayan salt, Keltic sea salt, a different sea slat brand and No Salt for the potassium. I poured pretty much equal amounts into bowl, put on the lid and shook it up. That bowl is now my salt for cooking or for salting. When I am fasting, I put a pinch under my tongue a few times per day and chase it with water.

It is an evolving process for everyone. Your body will start dropping hints and if we don't pick up the body usually knocks over the head to get our attention.

Scott