Tired From Not Consuming Enough Salt?… Here’s Why

Are you consuming enough salt? Check this out!

Timestamps
0:00 Low salt
0:15 Keto fatigue and low salt
2:27 Symptoms of low sodium
3:34 How much salt to consume

DATA:

Today we're going to talk about how having low amounts of salt could make you tired. There is a symptom called keto fatigue, which is so easy to fix if you understand this mechanism. 

Before doing keto, an average person is holding onto a lot of stored sugar (glycogen). For every gram of glucose that's stored, there are three grams of fluid stored. When you start keto, you lose the water as well as salt. The loss of sodium triggers a hormone in your adrenals (aldosterone), which makes sure you don't lose all of your sodium. The body needs sodium. 

This is an important hormone for survival. But, when it's increased, you lose potassium. Now, you're low in sodium and potassium, which could lead to fatigue and muscle cramps. Because you lost water and salt, you could also become dehydrated. This can cause you to be thirsty and therefore drink more water. 

But, you might not think to add salt to your water. When you drink more water without salt, you could worsen the sodium deficiency. 

Symptoms of low sodium:
• Weakness 
• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Restlessness
• Insulin resistance 

Increased aldosterone can also lead to:
• Insomnia 
• High blood pressure 

*A person may benefit from consuming 1-1.5 tsp. of salt per day. 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 58, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle

Thanks for watching! I hope this helps explain why you could be tired from not consuming enough salt.

[thomasrobinson]

Lack of electrolyte, why most people fail to successfully maintain a keto diet. I use plenty of salt but also a handful of Brazil nuts with some 95% cocoa dark chocolate after my evening meal, around 5 pm. Now sleep much better. I take my Vitamin and mineral supplements with my brunch around 11 am. Weight is down to 170lbs from 220lbs. Thank you for all the information Doctor.👍

[milstringfellow]

I am 66 and have been on keto almost 2 years with mild cramps and bad headaches until I started, (2 months ago), eating a good sized pinch of Himalayan pink salt 3 or 4 times daily above the salt in my normal diet. Eureka! No more cramps or headaches. My blood pressure averages 120/65, so salt didn’t affect my blood pressure. This definitely has helped me. Thanks Doctor Burg.

[patfontaine]

Once again, a good salty nugget of knowledge to start the day. Thanks, Doc!

[ceilconstante]

Stick with Dr. Berg & learn one video at a time. Took me over 4 yrs of small changes to achieve excellent health! I'm over 55 & had a foot in the grave when I started.

[pediatricsurvivalswim]

I was passively listening to this while doing dishes. It caught my attention again once you said lack of salt can cause insomnia. I have had this the past few nights. I think it’s my wake call!

[MotoDeSoto]

Great information. I just recently figured this out for myself. I was having these crazy muscle cramps, insomnia, and fatigue, even though I was taking electrolytes. I was craving salt, so I gave in and started using some. The cramps have gone away, insomnia and fatigue are improving.

[muhubobulhan]

I needed to see this. My daughter isn’t doing Keto but she has all this symptoms you have mentioned. She’s lacking salty on her body. Thank u

[منالعراق-شي]

There is a Dr. Berg channel in Arabic that we follow a lot. Thank you, we've benefited a lot from you.

[NaturalBloom]

I personally had muscle fatigue due to little consumption of salt, also weakness in the CNS but then I watched your videos and fixed the problem. I am amazed that the solution was easy, thanks Doctor :D

[secretsquirrel]

It's like you know what's going on with me then boom! A video pops up! Thanks dr berg

[Meisterling]

It's hard to believe that you can consume too little salt. Luckily it's a quick fix.

[wonderwomandiana]

Dr Berg knowledgeable. Doesn't age neither does Mrs Berg. So informative your help is appreciated

[davesaenz]

I got all those symptoms on a low low salt diet. And my BP is higher than before.

[steunsoul]

This info was exactly where I was looking for, thanks!
Like I replied to a earlier video regarding salt.

"After I found out I was developing diabetes 2. I am on a keto diet now and experimenting with the type of food I can eat. Mostly to find out what the effect of sugar, salt, protein and fat are.
I do take zinc, iodine, potassium and magnesium supplements on a daily basis.
I reduced my salt intake for a few days and my heart rate is lower.
While experimenting with food, I found out that sugar has a effect on my heart rate to, even worst that the effect of salt. Sugar causes higher adrenaline levels for regulation of sugar/insulin levels.
So this evening, I have drunk some dry white wine. After a few hours I still have a high heart rate and feel the adrenaline rushing through my body.
Feels like to a overdose of caffeine. The salt does not cause this adrenaline effect."

I stopped eating anything with added sugar/carbs. After a few more days of taking more potassium and consuming more sea- and Himalayas salt. The heart rate went back to normal and the stressed feeling faded away.

[JYAN]

Excellent video Dr Berg! I tell my friends and family all the time to increase their salt intake on keto. James DiNocolantonio seems to recommend 3-4 teaspoons of salt (4000-5000mg sodium) daily in his other interviews. Kidneys can dump sodium if we consume more than they need. The problem is like what you stated when we don't intake enough sodium. The kidneys have to work harder having to re-absorb sodium, which is their main job. By eating more salt we allow them to take a break.

There is one other thing you mentioned in your other videos. B1 thiamine deficiency can cause HBP (high systolic, low diastolic, high pulse). Adding more salt can exacerbate HBP if someone is thiamine deficient. Folks should consider taking high dose temporary B1 benfotiamine/TTFD or nutritional yeast prior to starting keto to be on the safe side. Otherwise they may end up having to go to the ER for meds, in which they will tell people to stop keto and eat less salt.

[KenanTurkiye]

Detailed yet due to the graphic schematic layout a very simple video to understand, much appreciated, thank you. 👍

[mpalmer]

I was having all these symptoms plus humongous leg cramps...! Oh my God I am on my knees afraid to move it’s just grabbing my legs painful. I put a pinch of pink salt in a glass of water and in 3 minutes am good. Dr u r a savior 🙏

[ozzyozzy]

Wish all doctors were like you now I can fix myself thank you

[robertcece]

Holy crap. I've been taking so much magnesium, potassium & lower amounts of calcium, and have slowly been feeling like death. Absolutely fatigued & tired. Drinking tons of water to "wake myself up". I just drank a glass of salt water & almost got "high" from it. That is crazy. I feel awesome. Now I'm reading NCBI and see that all 3 salts, magnesium, potassium and calcium ALL BLOCK sodium. Then if you get tired, and think you need more water, you can wash even more sodium out of your blood. I think that's exactly what I did. I will NEVER make an electrolyte drink again without sodium. Wow. I went from zombie / half dead to completely awake in a half hour.

[cancerqueen]

Dang I always forget about the salt is needed. When I do remember I drink ACV, water with pink Himalayan salt it usually picks me right up. Literally fixes my mood.