I have tried different kinds of google searches to explain the answer to this question for me and I can’t find a good solution to my confusion.
How can taking a dose of fasting salts not affect my blood pressure? I know they contain magnesium and calcium, but don’t they also contain . . . . . salt?
Do any of you good people have resources on why these salts don’t negatively affect me?
Obviously, as someone who eats a lot of pickles, I have significant salt in my diet already : )
Many thanks for your kindness and understanding.
I’m pretty sure it has to due with the balance of Na to K. It’s not so much the sodium as it is lack of potassium (which is sorely lacking in average diet). Potassium helps flush out excess salt and lowers blood pressure with its natural sedative effect on our blood vessels. Magnesium and calcium have similar effects. Science hasn’t answered definitively on sodium’s relationship to blood pressure, as there have been several conflicting results from various studies
Not really a medical professional but I believe it’s a balance. Increased sodium intake leads to higher risk of hypertension. There are too many peer reviewed scientific articles available to just dismiss this possibility.
But you are asking about fasting salts which means you are likely fasting. The increase in potassium, weight loss, increased physical activity all improve blood pressure and that fact that since you are eating less you probably are consuming less sodium from your diet. At the end of the day it’s a balance and everyone’s body reacts differently depending on their starting point.
It’s weird, isn’t it?
There’s a book called The Salt Fix that argues that salt in general does not, in general, cause high blood pressure, which flies in the face of the scientific consensus. It’s controversial; here’s a fairly balanced review:
https://fitnesstestlab.com/the-salt-fix-review/
I do think there’s something to it, but we simply don’t know. Fasting has reduced my blood pressure by 20-30 systolic points, and I absolutely chug regular salt while fasting (I do 3 day fasts, can’t last without it), and also consume fasting salts. Reaction to salt may be genetic - as always, more research is needed.
As most people said,balance is the key.As non-IF individual may get they daily intake of salt(sodium/magnesium/potassium) from eating food thrice daily.People doing IF especially longer IF timing,only get their salt from their food once or twice in one go,which some are absorbed,but some are also excreted.Lower intake of salt during IF can also lead to the opposite a.k.a hypotension(blood pressure drop below 100 systolic or 60 diastolic),this translate to symptom of headache or can also lead to fainting especially when you are sitting or lying on ground (I experienced loss of balance and almost fainted after standing up and my BP is almost below 90mmHG.
You do lose salt daily by either peeing or sweating even with little activities.Cramping of muscle can also occur if low salt.
Different people have different total daily intake of salt