Electrolytes & Minerals… what you need to know

As native to St. Louis, MO Nelly would say, “It’s getting hot in here..” with 100+ heat index.

The question of the week is what is the best source to use for safe, effective electrolyte & mineral replacements.

Did you know many companies use citric acid in their performance products?

Did you know citric acid is typically sourced from a fungus, Aspergillus niger?

Before I had a significant environmental exposure, I did not know any of this. Why would I have a reason to? In an effort to keep my own and other patients toxic load low, I have done a huge amount of research and reaching out to companies to ask about sourcing protocols. The problem is that Aspergillus can produce mycotoxins (such as: aflatoxin, gliotoxin, and ochratoxin A) which is one more thing that can disrupt your performance and health. So why make your body work harder?

“Work smarter, not harder.”

— Allen F. Morgenstern

When thinking electrolytes, you really want a balance of vitamin C, potassium, sodium & magnesium.

I have found 4 options:

1. E-Lyte (Body Bio)- you will need to add vit C (1/2 c. OJ, pineapple, fresh lemon, lime or grapefruit or 1 tsp. Bulk Supplements acerola powder). You may need to double dosage on HOT days (4-6 capfuls).

2. Optimal Electrolyte (Seeking Health)- also will need to add vit C

3. Adrenal Cocktail (Jigsaw Health)- you will also need magnesium (can use Jigsaw Health MagSoothe or magnesium glycinate from Bulk Supplements)

4. Make your own: I use a lot of ingredients from Bulk Supplements since they are NSF and 3rd party tested:

   • Potassium: 8 oz. coconut water (Bulk Supplements sells powder, Laird is a brand at Whole Foods or Amazon)

   • Sodium: Redmond's Real Salt or Celtic Salt (1/4 tsp.)- also available at Whole Foods or Amazon

   • Magnesium: Bulk Supplements magnesium glycinate powder (1/2 tsp) or MagSoothe (Jigsaw Health)

   • Vitamin C: 1/2 c.: OJ, pineapple, fresh lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit or 1 tsp. Bulk Supplements acerola or camu camu powder

I have personally made my own for months. I do find Body Bio E-lyte is super simple to just add citrus of choice; it also has the same viscosity of your blood. Jigsaw health changed their sourcing for vitamin C to low histamine- it does have a higher sodium concentration (sourced from Redmond’s sea salt). Low histamine sources of vitamin C include: acerola cherry, camu camu berry & alma berry. I would warn that camu camu berry is pretty tart. I have most of these products available on my products page if you would like to save money and support my website.

Hopefully sharing this helps! We need to keep minerals and vitamins in check while sweating or your mitochondria will suffer. And mitochondria are our powerhouses. To refresh middle school science: they take energy from food in the form of metabolites and convert into ATP, the energy source that the cells in your body use. Just think about their importance with performance and healing. If you have ever bonked on the bike or crashed from working in the heat, it is likely because you had no more energy reserves an needed minerals.

• If you are questioning your electrolytes, always consult with a healthcare practitioner to see if lab work is needed. If you have any medical conditions, always consult with your healthcare practitioner before supplementing. I share this information to help educate others, not as a treatment recommendation or protocol.