does anyone use electrolytes while fasting? i'm only able to do 23 hours, never more, but chatgpt is telling me to salt my water. i think it's helping.

I rarely do any extended fasts, just intermittent fasting but I salt my water every day throughout the day.

I did in the beginning. I went to youtube and made an electrolyte solution but that has faded in time.

I now mix up several different salts in a plastic bowl, hake and then use as table salt.

When I fast for more than 72 hours I eat it by a few pinches here and there throughout the day.

I don't put the salt in my water because I don't like the taste.

Scott

22 hours ago, mpolyglottos said:

does anyone use electrolytes while fasting?

There are many people who make a habit of having an LMNT per day, whether they are fasting or not.

22 hours ago, mpolyglottos said:

chatgpt is telling me to salt my water. i think it's helping

This can certainly help. Over a year ago, I was having major electrolyte issues and cramps during the night (due to a pharmaceutical I was on but didn't know it at the time), having salt in my water, especially at bedtime, helped me avoid cramps and get a decent night's sleep.

17 hours ago, Scott F. said:

I did in the beginning. I went to youtube and made an electrolyte solution but that has faded in time.

I now mix up several different salts in a plastic bowl, hake and then use as table salt.

When I fast for more than 72 hours I eat it by a few pinches here and there throughout the day.

I don't put the salt in my water because I don't like the taste.

Scott

how often do you do 72 hour fasts?

About once per month. I am a rotating shift worker and when my Tues-Wed-Thurs night rotation comes around I fast.

I will eat either Monday night or Tuesday morning and then fast into the weekend.

It lands between 72 and 96 with my longest being a 7-day water fast.

Scott

I’ve recently been concerned with electrolytes. I have struggled with a few side effect issues(cramps, constipation & heartburn). So far, my go to for electrolytes has been pickle juice. My heartburn issue had disappeared shortly before, but my cramps issue has disappeared since drinking pickle juice. It’s the only drink I like that is salty.

Welcome Maat.

For me electrolytes can help but I only take them if I’ve been working out in the heat all day. Otherwise I can build up too much potassium in my system and that can be dangerous for me. For on the spot treatment a heaping tablespoon of yellow mustard has been working well for me.

Mustard is also my go to for cramps. Knocking on wood I have not had cramping during the night in quite some time.

This week I switched back to some drink mixers. I used the Food Lion brand Lemonade and Pink Lemonade. It has been in the mid to upper 90's all week, it is my week off and I have been doing a lot of outside stuff in and around the shop. I have been doing my best to stay well hydrated.

I also recently started a doing a kettlebell workout in my front yard. The first week I felt like I was taking advantage of the spring weather. This week it has been over 75F and humid early in the morning and yesterday I had other things to do, and by the time I started it was well over 80.

I stopped hydration just short of floating. LOL

Scott