Discussion
I just found out that the electrolyte supplements I rely on every day to remain upright are likely to become unavailable in the near future.
It took me the better part of a year to dial in a mix that gave me back some function. That the whims of capitalism are taking that sucks.
If you're a #pots / #longcovid sufferer who uses such things, I'd welcome suggestions for an alternative.
Double points for not containing sugar, tasting like a (further) punishment, or not costing an arm and a leg.
For friends who offered suggestions for electrolyte supplements, Liam has compiled everything into a "salt-o-matic" spreadsheet and shared it on his site!
@RussSharek have you looked at Skratch Labs ?
It's in my research pile.
@RussSharek have you considered if you can buy all the desired ingredients in bulk? It would be a larger initial investment but I have like eight pounds of plain electrolyte powder I made by copying the ingredients of a random mix
I expect I'll eventually end up in the DIY mix camp. Before I get there, I'd like a chance to try a few different formulations so I can dial in what I need.
these ones are my fave by a mile:
https://justaddbuoy.com/pages/chronic-illness-support
second place (but my constraints are “if sweetened, uses sugar, and not too much” so ymmv):
@RussSharek I'm personally very fond of Pocari Sweat, but it does have some sugar (I think their "ion water" version has less, but the normal version not very sweet, just kind of crisp and citrusy) it's basically Japanese Gatorade.
@RussSharek @Franka they are rather expensive but I really like Holy. The least chemical tasting I’ve experienced yet.
@RussSharek https://de.holy.com/ they have different sites for different locations I think, this is mainland Europe
They don't appear to offer a site here.
@RussSharek I've got a list =f food allergies but have found the Trace brand to have options I can work with. Current favourite is Coconut Pineapple, but I heavily dilute so a sachet can last me most of a day.
https://www.traceminerals.com/products/power-pak-pineapple-coconut
That's a new one for me. I'll check into it. Thanks!
@RussSharek I could never stomach the electrolyte drinks, most of them taste awful and they made my teeth and gums painful and sensitive. I didn't want to end up toothless so I just eat lots of salty foods, like kimchi and instant ramen. I also sometimes get a mixed fruit juice that says electrolytes on the packaging, it has mango juice and tastes pretty good. I think it probably has less electrolytes than the health/sports drinks but I don't really know... my doctors wanted me to increase salt and drink the electrolytes but I felt the latter was destroying my mouth so I just upped the salt a lot and it works for me. for a while I was eating soy sauce flavor ramen once or twice every day but now I don't have to do that much.
I'm at the low end of "can't fix this amount with food", so the supplementing my salty diet helps a lot.
I do love miso, kimchi, and soy.
@RussSharek did your doctors recommend anything besides food and supplements? mine told me to ride a stationary bike for 30 minutes a day and that did help significantly but since recovering I have gotten lazy and I don't do it anymore
My doctors wished me luck, which is medical terminology for "we are abandoning you"
I've been actively training my body since. I can't do cardio without pem symptoms, but moving slow I can still do handstands, juggle, and maintain most of my range of motion.
Core strength and inversions keep me far more able than anyone expected.
@RussSharek I like LMNT a lot. I like that it doesnt have massive doses of other vitamins like some brands do, and they have a flavorless one that is good to add to juices.
It's on the list with several recommendations.
@RussSharek I’m wracking my brains trying to remember which electrolytes company I used to see ads for, who offered a discount especially for POTS/long covid folks… 
@mivox @RussSharek It's Vitassium, I like their tablets too, and even their chewables occasionally.
I really like LMNT too (hooray for chocolate salt for being less hard on bellies prone to silent reflux). I've gotten SALTT a few times and rather enjoy it, and Insaltd too.
I tried Liquid IV once and it was so overpoweringly sweet I was afraid to even try the zero sugar variety. If anyone could tell me how the sweetness levels compare between the zero sugar and regular, I'd be very grateful.
I should also note that a lot of brands do a sample pack "free" for the cost of shipping. Good way to find out whether you hate certain flavors before plunking down big bucks.
If you happen to remember, please let me know.
@RussSharek Finally! Here’s the one I was thinking of!
Thanks, will check them out.
I notice that the responses all seem to be for a supplement to drink. I have a problem drinking anything that tastes like salt. Therefore, I take a capsule for my electrolyte intake for my #POTS
@RussSharek I get the electrolytes separate and then combine, because I refuse to pay like 20x more for the marketed ones. I use stevia so it doesn't taste like punishment, and citrate/malate/acsorbate forms of electrolytes help the taste, too. I can look at my notes for the exact proportions if helpful. Most of mine came from Bulk Supplements years ago, but surely there are other bulk vendors.
I'd be curious to read you mix recipes.
@RussSharek
This amount fits in a little jar I carry in my bag. I just eyeball how much to add to water.
8 g stevia crystals,
8 g sodium chloride,
1 g potassium citrate,
8 g boron citrate, and
1 g magnesium glycinate.
I used to use desiccant packets, but actually it's kind of convenient when it hardens a bit, because the mix stays consistent, rather than the finer crystals settling to the bottom.
@RussSharek
That's a sodium : potassium : magnesium of about 20:1:1, based on some research about the typical levels in the body as well as sports drinks, with less potassium. For POTS, the sodium is usually the more helpful one, and too much potassium isn't great for the heart, so I keep it low. But I'm not a licensed doctor; adjust it as needed.
(2/3)
@RussSharek
I don't know whether you'd consider rolling your own, but this is the recipe that LMNT uses.
https://science.drinklmnt.com/electrolytes/best-homemade-electrolyte-drink-for-dehydration
I like the Nuun tablets, but they are too expensive for me to use every day. More like an occasional treat during the summer.
It' definitely a possibility.
At the moment, there's a couple of different directions I may end up going. When I first started this adventure, there were less options. Go fig.
I like this:
Not sure if that's suitable for #pots, but as a general electrolyte replacement for someone chronically deficient I find it helpful
That stuff has been recommended a couple of times, iirc.
(I assume that's a positive, but ultimate this is a compare ingredients to what I'm already using dance)
@RussSharek Not sure what you've been using but I use Nuun tablets (non-caffeine version). Lemon-lime is good, any other flavor is disgusting IMO.
@brianvastag @RussSharek seconding Nuun. That's what I've always used.
Same here. Unfortunately the brand has been sold off, and it's future is erratic and uncertain at best.
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@RussSharek
This is not a complete listing of *everything* that folks shared here, but it is the majority, with side by side comparison in a spreadsheet.
Thank you all for the help, and I'll update this when I can to include the ones currently missing!
https://socialgaff.whirling.top/salts.html
salts