Electrolyte and Remineralization Formulas

A few of my favorite things

Electrolytes are the bedrock of good health. No wonder that this has proven to be one of my most popular posts. This post synthesizes 20+ years of research and development into them, so I want you to know this is highly refined, extremely valuable information. This is the information I have made my reputation on.

And judging by the kind of endorsements I get from people like Ben Greenfield, Joe Mercola, and more, I am onto something and these are every bit as valuable as I propose they are.

Why Electrolytes Matter

Electrolyte and remineralization solutions are vital to optimal health and vitality.

As patients become increasingly sick, we must become increasingly detailed in our attention to minerals.

In extreme cases, this can mean using hormones to modulate these minerals exogenously. These are difficult cases. Often, life expectancy is in the range of months.

DISCLAIMER: Consult a qualified practitioner before making changes to your diet and lifestyle, especially if you have heart, lung, or kidney issues, which complicate electrolyte and fluid balance.

I believe that optimizing minerals is critical for optimal health and longevity. For that reason, I use remineralization solutions widely in my practice.

For those of you interested in light therapy (phototherapy), you'll find that people who say that phototherapy "isn't working" are typically struggling with three key issues: 1) lack of electrolytes, 2) lack of protein, and 3) inadequate hydration. This is precisely why the 14-Day Reset is so effective - it addresses all three of these foundational elements.

Dr. Stillman’s 14-Day Reset

Light therapy also works synergistically with proper electrolyte balance. When combined, they dramatically enhance both performance and longevity outcomes. I discuss this extensively in my post on Light Therapy for Longevity.

Light Therapy for Longevity

Remineralization Solutions

These are the solutions I use in my practice, and how I use them.

First, what do I mean by remineralization solutions?

This would be a solution designed to restore optimal mineral balance to the body.

We begin by first asking, what is the imbalance we are trying to correct?

I correct mineral imbalances holistically by analyzing hair tissue tests and blood tests together. Trying to remineralize the body without these measures is like trying to fill up a leaky bucket. It doesn't work.

That is much more complicated topic, which we address in our course on mineral balancing. We train people to interpret hair tissue testing in our course + coaching program and our practitioner mastermind. Learn more about the course here. Those who purchase the course get first rights to the coaching program when we open enrollment again. If you're a practitioner who would like to join the mastermind, contact me via my website (StillmanMD.com) and a member of my team will get in touch with you.

The Four Essential Macrominerals

When I say, "remineralization solutions," I generally refer to solutions that contain small quantities of what we call the first four macrominerals - calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.

Popular commercial products include LMNT, Redmond Relyte, and more. I have no problem with these products, for the record. I do have a problem with some of their packaging, specifically aluminum packaging, because of the sky-high aluminum levels I have seen in the hair of patients consuming beverages from aluminum cans. I never drink out of aluminum cans or cook with aluminum cookware for this reason.

The basic formulation of these products is simple, but... to be honest with you... you can make your own for a lot less if you just take a few minutes to mix up a big batch.

Here's the basic ingredient list:

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Calcium

• Magnesium

And this is where things get tricky. These minerals have interesting and varied effects on the nervous system, which means that they can enhance or impede our function in various ways. For example, potassium and magnesium tend to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. Sodium and calcium tend to activate the sympathetic nervous system. This is well-documented in the work of Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez, specifically his book, "Nutrition and the Autonomic Nervous System."

I can't do justice to the complexity of this system in a single post - Nick wrote one of the most detailed books I've ever read on the topic. I am still, honestly, struggling to finish it.

These are the four minerals that the body needs in greatest quantities and they are the four that the body loses in greatest quantities. For this reason, repleting them in the short-term can be incredibly powerful.

When Do You Need Electrolyte Replenishment?

The most common contexts for excessive losses of these minerals are:

• Sauna/heat exposure

• Exercise

• Diarrheal illness

This leads me to two distinct formulations that I recommend on a regular basis.

DIY Electrolyte Formulas

Formula for Sweating (Sauna, Exercise)

LMNT, for example, is:

• 1000 mg sodium

• 200 mg potassium

• 60 mg magnesium

This is just...

• 4 parts sea salt to

• 1 parts potassium bicarbonate

• 2 parts magnesium glycinate

OR

• 5 parts sea salt to

• 1 part potassium chloride

• 2 parts magnesium glycinate

Example: 5 tablespoons sea salt + 1 tablespoon potassium chloride + 2 tablespoons magnesium glycinate = an LMNT lookalike.

Let's try Redmond ReLyte, shall we?

Slightly different formula:

• 1000 mg sodium

• 500 mg potassium

• 60 mg magnesium

Just multiply the above amounts for potassium by 2.5 (500/200 = 2.5).

This is just...

• 4 parts sea salt to

• 2.5 parts potassium bicarbonate

• 2 parts magnesium glycinate

OR

• 5 parts sea salt to

• 2.5 part potassium chloride

• 2 parts magnesium glycinate

If you feel strongly about using round numbers, just double the above.

Easy, right? Wasn't that fun? Isn't math great?!

You could mix up a big batch and save the cost of the premium subscription with the savings from a year's supply of this. Just saying.

Why the big difference between these formulas based on the form of potassium?

The bicarbonate and chloride have different atomic masses, so the weight of potassium per gram is different in each.

If you're not a chemistry geek, just trust me and use the ratios above.

Formula for Diarrheal Illnesses

My remineralization solution for diarrheal illnesses is:

• Molasses, 1 tablespoon, in 8-12 ounces of water

OR

• Coconut water, 8-12 ounces (or 2 tablespoons of powdered coconut water in 8-12 ounces water)

PLUS

• Sea salt - 1/4 teaspoon

How did I come up with this?

This is essentially the formula for pedialyte. I just used real food instead of whatever they use... Their recipe, believe it or not, is soundly based in prudent electrolyte replacement science.

I might add that you could add a few milligrams of zinc to complete the electrolyte formula of pedialyte.

Why is this mix richer in potassium than the formula for sauna or exercise recovery? Because bowel contents is rich in potassium and low in sodium. Diarrhea or vomiting will both induce a low potassium state, which is why they can be so lethal.

Zeta Aid

Last, but not least, we have Zeta Aid. Read all about it here:

The Power of Zeta Potential

How Much Should You Use?

How much of any of these should you use?

I generally tell my patients to use as much as makes them feel good. That can become quite a lot.

The thing is, if you want to make these minerals "stick" in the body, you have to do more than just pour them in.

If you're a leaky bucket, you can spend all your time and money pouring minerals back into your body, to no avail.

Most patients do not need remineralization solutions on a daily basis. First and foremost, we must optimize mineral intakes from the diet. I wrote my million-in-one-meal plan to explain how I do this for myself.

Minerals: The Spark Plugs of Life

Minerals are the spark plugs of life, which is why I won't stop talking about how great they are and how vital I think it is for you (and everyone on earth) to understand them.

Minerals are the spark plugs of life.

Make sure you're minding your minerals.

Until next time, be well,

Dr. Stillman