Hey all, looking for some opinions here.
I have used sportlegs in the past, and while I kind of wonder if they’re just snake oil, they do seem to at least have a placebo effect. So, I like to take them before a race (and during for a longer event), and after a hard workout to speed recovery.
Recently, I have been using Endurolytes, since my stomach has decided to rebel against most electrolyte drinks lately. So far, I haven’t encountered any problems with these.
Now here is where my question lies – is there any problem with taking these together? The products don’t seem to overlap one another much, in content or in purpose, but I am just wary of putting too many salts in my body and not properly balancing it with enough fluids.
Also, with the Endurolytes, I haven’t been able to figure out the “right” amount (say, per 20 oz bottle of water). It seems like a bit of guesswork. Does anyone have any advice on this?
I don’t have specific answers for you but want to offer you something to think about.
Electrolytes are maintained by the body in careful balance. Excess electrolytes are expelled from the body via urine. You’ve heard that salt is a diuretic. Any electrolytes that are excess in your body force your body to give up fluid to create the urine to remove the electrolytes. So even if you are not fully hydrated, if there are too many electrolytes, you will urinate–making you even more dehydrated.
So you can see why overdosing on electrolytes before your race starts can lead to excess dehydration. If you think you may be low on electrolytes then I suggest you take extra the day before your race and allow their levels as well as your hydration to reach normal levels by race morning.
Then only supplement electrolytes in your fluid replacement during the race. As to how much concentrated they should be in your liquid? Not sure at all…probably very dependent on the individual.