Top 3 Unbeatable Electrolytes For People With POTS
So you just received your new diagnosis of POTS, and you’re probably wondering where to start! Navigating the world of electrolytes can be really confusing and challenging when you’re trying to find the right one for a medical condition. So, let’s talk about some of my favorites!
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Recommendations for POTS management
First, let’s discuss some general electrolyte and sodium recommendations for people with POTS. Please remember to always discuss your specific needs with your doctor to find what your body truly needs!
Sodium
The general recommendation for sodium intake ranges from 3,000-10,000 mg of sodium per day. Of course, this is a very broad range, but really this is going to depend on the severity of your POTS symptoms and generally what your body needs.
If you are struggling to meet such a high demand for sodium, salt pills are a wonderful option! Be careful though, some people may experience an upset stomach after taking them!
Potassium
Generally, potassium is recommended in a range of 3,000-4,700 mg per day. Again I will urge you to please ask your doctor what they recommend for your body specifically, but this is simply a general guideline for most individuals with POTS.
Magnesium
Magnesium requirements are significantly lower at only 300-500mg per day! This serves the purpose of promoting healthy muscle function, so it is incredibly valuable to a POTSIE (because your heart is a muscle) despite the low quantity needed.
Calcium
Calcium is not only responsible for healthy bone density, but it also plays a very active role in nerve and muscle functions. Its recommended for a POTSie to consume 1,000 mg of calcium per day.
A warning about B6
Vitamin B6 is commonly found in a lot of electrolyte solutions you’ll find on the market. Although it’s good for people with POTS in a controlled quantity, you’ll need to be very careful not to overconsume it.
Vitamin B6 is capable of building up in the body and causing vitamin B6 toxicity. This is not to be taken lightly as it can lead to nerve damage, loss of coordination, sensory changes, nausea and GI issues, as well as mood changes and irritability.
It’s generally not recommended to consume more than 1.3- 2 mg per day for adults. Although toxicity is typically caused by long-term use in quantities over 100 mg per day.
LMNT
Find them HERE
I absolutely love this company, which is why I have them first on my list. This company is so supportive and compassionate for their customers with chronic illnesses and especially POTS! I even reached out to their customer service and asked if they’d be willing to send me some samples and they sent me a whole set with one of each of their flavors completely free of charge!
LMNT is a great option, not only because of their amazing customer service, but their sodium content really is unbeatable for someone with POTS. Each packet contains 1,000 mg of sodium, and as we discussed earlier, most people with POTS need 3,000-10,000 mg per day. Having 1,000 mg of sodium in a single packet truly makes it effortless to meet your daily intake needs! Best of all, LMNT does not contain any vitamin B6, so there’s no risk of toxicity here!
I’ll admit, the flavor is a bit salty, but it’s not unbearable and some of the flavors mask it very well. They even have a chocolate flavored powder that will complement your morning (decaf!) coffee or hot chocolate nicely!
Redmond Re-lyte Electrolyte mix
Find them HERE
Coming in at a close second, Redmond contains 810 mg of sodium per serving. It is balanced with potassium and magnesium and also contains no added vitamin B6!
This is a great option if you are looking for a more clean option to go with, Redmond does not contain any artificial flavors or any of that unnecessary junk that other competitors may use in their drink mixes! many of their customers rave about how the flavor isn’t too sweet, so the natural flavoring seems to fare well with their general customer base.
Venture Pal Sugar Free Electrolyte Packets
Find them HERE
Venture Pal is a great option if you are financially restricted but still need to find a good quality electrolyte that will help you reach your daily intake requirements. These electrolytes are very affordable, however they only contain 500 mg of sodium per stick of drink mix. You’ll likely need to drink a few of these per day to consume a sufficient amount of sodium.
A big perk with this brand, however, is that these electrolytes are vegan, GMO free, dairy free, gluten free, soy free, and KETO friendly. So if you’ve got some complex diet restrictions, this may be the best option for you. The last big selling point for this option would be the fact that these are sugar free. It’s great to avoid sugar with POTS if possible, because sugar can sometimes make your symptoms worse!
Conclusion
In conclusion, these three electrolyte drinks are wonderful options for people battling a POTS diagnosis. LMNT has the highest sodium content, which is a great advantage of their company. however, Redmond doesn’t use artificial flavors and has a great customer base backing their delicious flavors. Venture Pal on the other hand has half as much sodium as offered by LMNT, but it provides a safety net to those managing restricted diets and a tight budget. No matter what you choose, the important part is that these drinks help you to live your best life despite being diagnosed with POTS.
