Another water and potassium question

[SeeItThrough]

I have started getting a massive urge over the last two weeks or so to drink water. Before I had these urges I would drink about 2 gallons a day because of sweating a lot at work and that seemed to keep me quenched. About two weeks ago I stopped feeling satisfied and my mouth was constantly dry...I added about another half gallon and now since the temps are dropping I am not sweating nearly as much at work. Two weeks ago when I upped my water intake, the water would go right through me...almost like I am not able to keep it in. I'd say I hit the head about once every 50 minutes to an hour.

Knowing that Protein Power recommends potassium (I can't remember the amount but 75 or 90mg sounds familiar...I'll find my copy in a few minutes) has me wondering a bit. I am not cramping and not lethargic so that is why I have never added potassium up until now. But I seem to have a problem that I am not retaining any fluid now. My carb intake is about 20-25g a day and protein is about 110-130.

I passed urine at normal frequencies when I was on my normal eating regimen. This is really getting insane. How can I keep the water in me!? Will the potassium have any affect? I thought that the reason to take potassium suppliments was because you lose it in urine and I am probably losing more than ever now but I am just wondering--why so much darn water!?

[banshee]

I would wonder if it's an issue of your body actually needing more water, or you *feeling* like you need more water. I'm not sure if I can explain what I mean by this, but I know that in the fall, the air becomes dryer. If you're drinking enough fluids already, that may not make a difference in the amount of water you need to drink, but it may cause your airways to dry out easier because there isn't as much water in the air to moisturize them.

I would think if that is the reason that you're feeling the need for more fluids, then the extra water you're drinking would go right through you, because your body doesn't need it. Does that make sense?

I always notice the change in my legs - even though I'm hydrating at the same level, the very top layer of skin will be drier in the fall/winter. I've found that drinking more water doesn't help, and I just start using moisturizer more often through the winter. I've also noticed that my mouth gets very dry if I'm out in the cold dry air in the winter, and sometimes indoors because of the "dry" heat. It happens no matter how much I drink. If something similar is happening with you, I would think a sugar free hard candy to suck on or some sugar free gum to chew would help your mouth stay "quenched" without drinking extra water.

Of course, I may be totally off base, since this has nothing to do with science. It's just the thought that came to mind when I first read your note.

[LisaS]

K+ (potassium) supplements come in pills of 99mg - this is largely because larger doses upset peoples stomachs. Your RDA for K+ is more like 3500g. If you aren't getting most of your potassium through eating, adding one or two 99 mg pills isn't going to make the difference (IMHO).

Me, I'd rather eat mine. 100g avocado = ~900mg K+
1C romaine = ~100mg K+ ; 1C cooked cauliflower = ~300 mg ; 3 oz beef tenderloin = ~300 mg ; 1 lg stalk celery = ~166 mg ; 1C raspberries = 186 mg

if you want to supplement, the part-potassium salt substitutes might be easier to use than the pills, assuming you salt your food.

[Belfrybat]

Have you been tested for diabetes lately? Excessive thirst and frequent urination is a symptom.

I use no-salt twice a day mixed with flavoured water. 1/4 tsp. is 500 - 600 mg potassium, depending on the brand. It tastes a bit metallic, but I've been taking it for so long, I no longer mind the taste.

[Mitra]

I felt ferociously thirsty for a few days a week or so into starting low carb. I wasn't measuring how much I drank, but I seemed to be drinking constantly. It only lasted a few days though, then my thirst settled back to more normal levels, so it could be just part of your adjustment process.

In the interview with Stephen Phinney that someone linked recently, he made the point that with very low carb levels, some salt in the diet is important - not vast quantities, but a little, so if you don't use salt at all, it might be worth experimenting. If you do use it, then that probably isn't the problem.

[cmcole]

I found when I started working in a different building, with a change in air conditioning, or something, that I was exceedingly thirsty.

Seems that it is a body conditioning thing, or something.

I just changed buildings again, and find I'm drinking a fair amount more than usual, again.

Yes, I'm heading to the "heads" more frequently, too, and I'm not very warm. I was thinking perhaps it was change in air temp, but perhaps it's the water thing, because I've experienced that before.

[SeeItThrough]

I should have full bloodwork by the middle of next week. I went to the doc for an unrelated problem and need to go back. My resting BP is usually 122/74...while standing doing light work, it was over 220/160 (this is about 25 minutes after I had to leave work) apparently...then after resting for 45 minutes it had only come down to 170/110 so they are thinking it is stress. My insurance through work just changed so I gotta deal with a new network...the joy :)