Why You Need Electrolytes When You're Fasting + How To Get Them

This is because you lose electrolytes through your sweat (in every liter of sweat, you lose 900 mg of sodium, 15 mg of potassium, and 13 mg of magnesium). Also, a low-carb diet cuts out inflammatory carbohydrates, which can result in water loss, throwing off your electrolyte balance.

And before you pick up a bright blue bottle of who-knows-­what's-­in­-it electrolyte drink, you should know that most electrolyte drinks are chock-full of artificial or regular sugar, preservatives, and artificial colors and preservatives—ingredients we're most definitely avoiding during the 4-Week Flexible Fasting Plan and hopefully beyond.

Rest assured, there are easy, cheap, and simple ways to replenish your electrolytes without sports drinks:

One easy way to replenish your electrolytes
 is simply by adding Himalayan pink sea salt to your water because it is so mineral-rich. I often ask my patients with brain-adrenal-axis issues, which can also deplete the body's electrolytes, to add 1 teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt to a glass of water in the morning or add it to their meals.

You can also dissolve 1 to 2 vegetable or chicken bone broth bouillon cubes in a cup of water. Then, adding some of my favorite electrolyte-rich foods like mushrooms and spinach will provide you with potassium and magnesium, important minerals for hydration.

There are some great electrolyte supplements on the market. Just make sure you take a look at the ingredient list and check for sugar or anything artificial.