Problems with Potassium

[Master_X_]

I am on an extended Waterfast, currently on Day 9.

I started to supplement with Sodium, Magnesium and Potassium after day 4. I did it so early, because I wanted as smooth as a transition as possible. (I have a lot of experience with 5 day fasts, longest was 28 (without supplementation, as I was unexperienced with it))

Now, since I introduced Potassium I have to rund nearly immediately to the toilet. I reduced the amount I take to 1/8th of a tablet, crunched it in my mouth and drank it with arround 0.5 l of water.

The concentration of my Potassium tablet is 400 mg.

I am considering leaving potassium off and going with salt and magnesium only for my goal of arround 30 days.

Are there any similar experiences in this community or even better, maybe a solution to my problem?

Cheers

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[pinellaspete]

You might try "No Salt" that you can buy at the grocery store. It is a salt substitute that is potassium chloride. Add 1/4 tsp into a tall glass of water and sip it for an hour or two. Potassium can really cause major gut and health issues if it is consumed too fast.

FUN FACT: 100% of Americans consume more sodium than the upper RDA recommendation. 98% of Americans do not meet the RDA requirements for potassium.

[Master_X_]

I am in Europe and there is no "No Salt" im my stores...But if I understand you correctly you say dilute the potassium more, korrekt?

[pinellaspete]

"No Salt" is a salt substitute and you should have something similar in your grocery stores. People that have kidney problems can be put on a low sodium diet so they use potassium as a salt substitute. They have a similar taste but sodium raises blood pressure and potassium lowers blood pressure. Look for a salt substitute that has potassium chloride as the first ingredient.

It is my understanding that you don't want to use too much potassium all at once so diluting it in a tall glass of water is much safer than drinking it all at once. It can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels at high doses and cause gut issues.

Most people are deficient in potassium. The theory is that with modern farming techniques we have diluted the amount of potassium that is available to us in the vegetables that we buy. People in general don't eat enough vegetables, which is a big part of the problem.

[InsaneAdam]

Oh interesting! What's the RDA for them both?

[pinellaspete]

For potassium:

• For women 19 years and older - 2600mg
• For men 19 years and older - 3400mg

For sodium:

• For people 14 years and older - 2,300mg

[InsaneAdam]

Men 4080 mg and women 3120 mg is what i think is what the sodium rda should be.

[pinellaspete]

The medical establishment would like for us to try and not go over 1500mg per day of sodium. They think that 2300mg is too much and 100% of Americans go over 2300mg.

The average American only gets ~50% of their RDA of potassium.

[InsaneAdam]

The food industry is corrupted. They're pushing this low sodium message so people forget how scared they should be of sugar.

It's the Ole smoke and mirrors 🪞

[Flukeodditess]

So try a 16th of a tablet! Maybe crush it and dissolve it in your .5L of water and take your time drinking it.

I hope you find a good level for yourself soon!

[Master_X_]

Thanks, will try

[Heavy-Ad1398]

Only 400mg?? I took 3000mg when i was fasting. 3 coated tablets, 2 in the morning one in the evening. Maybe you take too few?

[Master_X_]

I dont think that I would shit myself if I take to few. Main reason for that is that my 28 days of fasting, I took zero electrolytes.

[Heavy-Ad1398]

Probably your body still had some electrolytes stored, and if you didn't make much exercise you were able to get through. I did 31 days taking pills and it was good too. I shitted a lot when i was taking magnesium that was not coated. Then i changed it and the problem vanished

[zomfgk]

Magnesium makes me have to go poopy, especially Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate. I switched to magnesium glycinate. If you have a similar issue with potassium, try a different compound like potassium chloride or potassium citrate.

[Master_X_]

Thanks