Hydration problems - be careful with too much Magnesium!

[Ijbradbury]

One of the features of a LCHF diet is dehydration. We are encouraged to drink more water and to take on board more salt. I thought the best way to do this was to take rehydration sports tablets along with a bottle of water. Even though I did this, I couldn't seem to stop Keto Flu symptoms, including stomach upsets, diarrhoea and lack of energy. The worse I felt, the more I tried to get rehydrated which is the number 1 recommendation for Keto flu. It turns out that I was actually making it worse. The rehydration tablets had a lot of Magnesium in - this is what caused me the problems. I switched brand to one with a lower Magnesium content and it all settled down. I do still have to take Magnesium or I get muscle cramps - but I now use one that is easier to digest and easier on the stomach.

 

[ickihun]

Yes. It is easy to over supplement. Magnesium isn't one of the supplements which just get flushed out if not needed.
Take care
Ps. You could always ask nhs gp to check your levels first as it is advised to tell gp when you go lchf!

 

[Snapsy]

Thanks for the tip, @Ijbradbury !

I really struggle to hold on to all the fluid I'm drinking. Which is LOTS!

 

[ickihun]

Liquids, especially water, flushes the kidneys from too much supplement, when not needed normally. But like I said magnesium is one which doesn't.
Any supplement which can interact with the brain by the filter mechanism eg. allowing magnesium. Can have a detrimental effect on the body.
Please be careful when taking extra supplements!