Electrolyte Supplementation for Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

Ever stand up and feel your heart rate shoot up? It happens. 

But if it happens frequently, you might have POTS (only your doctor can say for sure).

POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is a common condition affecting millions worldwide. 

In this article, we’re going to look at how electrolyte supplementation can help manage the symptoms of POTS. 

What is POTS?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system.

The main symptom of POTS is a rapid increase in heart rate upon standing. 

There are other symptoms, as well, such as:

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Brain fog 

• Palpitations

• Chest pain 

• Nausea 

It’s not really clear what causes POTS exactly, and there’s currently no cure. But the symptoms of POTS can be managed. 

And one way that people are managing POTS symptoms is with electrolytes. 

Why electrolytes?

If you’ve read any of our articles before, you already know the importance of electrolytes. 

Electrolytes are vital minerals. 

They help maintain the balance of fluids inside and outside your cells. 

This becomes very important with POTS. 

People with POTS usually have low blood volume. 

Electrolytes, especially sodium, help the body retain water, which leads to a higher blood volume. 

So even if you’re drinking plenty of water, supplementing with electrolytes helps your body actually hang on to that water. 

By increasing blood volume, electrolytes help stabilize blood pressure. 

This can reduce those blood pressure drops when moving from a sitting or lying position to standing. 

This can also help with some of the other symptoms, such as dizziness or fatigue. 

Proper electrolytes also play a huge role in healthy nerve function.

And remember, POTS is a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. 

Which specific electrolytes help with POTS? 

Mainly, we’re talking about sodium, magnesium, and potassium. 

• Sodium - Helps the body retain fluids, which increases blood volume

• Magnesium - Supports nerve and muscle function, improves blood vessel health, balances the nervous system, and aids in fluid balance 

• Potassium - Helps balance sodium and regulate fluids, but also plays a huge role in heart rate and muscle contractions 

What is the protocol for supplementing with electrolytes?

It’s not the same for everyone, but the general idea is to increase fluids (water)  and electrolytes at the same time. 

Recommended fluids is usually 2-3 litres a day, and electrolytes as follows: 

• Sodium - 3,000 - 10,000 mgs a day 

• Magnesium - 200-400 mgs a day 

• Potassium - 2,000 - 4,700 mgs a day 

For four scoops a day, our Fasting Salts provide 5,135 mgs of sodium, 300 mgs of magnesium, and 2,500 mgs of potassium. 

The electrolytes should be spread throughout the day.

Many people find they need a dose in the mornings before getting out of bed. 

This is often a time when they experience the worst of POTS symptoms. 

If you’re supplementing electrolytes to manage POTS, you need to work with your doctor. 

They can tell you exactly how much you need to be taking a day, and help you increase or decrease as needed. 

This is even more important if you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease. 

Special note on potassium 

Some doctors advise patients to get their potassium through their food, rather than supplementing. 

This is because too much potassium can be dangerous. 

However, as long as you’re not exceeding recommended doses of potassium, supplementing shouldn’t be an issue. 

Most people don’t get enough in their food, anyway. 

And if you’re fasting or following a ketogenic diet, you definitely need to be supplementing. 

Electrolytes are a tool

Proper electrolytes won’t cure POTS, but they will go a long way in helping you regain stability, and feel better.