emergen-c has too much c? now what?

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

Author

Posts
evilfeline007
Participant

April 5, 2011 at 5:37 pm

Post count: 3

#2100

So I FINALLY worked out the perfect electrolyte balance for myself! I drink a total of 5 22 ounce bottles of water a day. On my drive to class I have an 8 ounce glass of coconut water. I have a 22 ounce glass with 2 emergen-c packets during class (i realise it’s not necessarily ideal to drink that much during class but so far it’s been the only way that i can keep my electrolytes in balance) and then another 22 ounce class with 2 emergen-c after class.

Here’s the problem though. Although it says on the packets “take 2-4 packets daily” i don’t think they mean at once because each packet has 1000 mg of vitamin C. The recommended dose is 2000-3000mg (3000 being pretty high) and taking 4000mg at once is n starting to wreak havoc on my bowels.

The reason I drink so much in class is because my doctor advised me to drink 6oz of electrolyte for every 30 minutes of exercise and 12 oz after. The packets are meant to go into 6oz but i can’t stand the taste like that. I usually have a good 4-6 ounces left at the end of class that i gulp down before my final savasana.

Apparently electrolyte tablets don’t work as well because the electrolytes take longer to absorb and you need to take in the electrolytes as you lose them for best replenishing results…

Any thoughts on alternatives? If I took the two packets during class, what could I drink after class?

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

April 6, 2011 at 2:53 am

Post count: 3048

#8530

Hi Julia

The excess C is not going to do you any harm at all. The only issue is the discomfort of the bowel effects. Is it possible that you could find a way to spread those 4 sachets over the day instead of 2 at a time.

Vitamin C only has a half life of about 4 hours so it clears pretty quickly. So spreading it out a bit will solve that issue most likely!

My suggestion then if you want the sachet during class but need a taste booster, is to perhaps add a few drops of lemon juice to the water (with or without a pinch of quality unprocessed sea salt).

The taste factor will be solved!

Tell me how you go

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

evilfeline007
Participant

April 7, 2011 at 5:27 pm

Post count: 3

#8532

Hi Gabrielle!

Yes it is the ill bowel effects I’m concerned with. i used to spread the sachets out but had a consistent electrolyte balance problem until my doctor said I need to be replacing my electrolytes as I’m using them for my body to benefit. He said start 30 minutes before and drink 6oz of electrolyte for every 30 minutes.

I of course wasn’t happy about having to drink 18 oz of fluid during my practise BUT it’s really helped. Before I was getting weak, shakey, dizzy and even tingly and numb and now I can power through the class. I’ve set myself a routine of when to drink so I can take in small quantities between suitable poses (i.e. I will have a quick sip before fixed firm, the two minute savasana, tree, etc) so I don’t end up getting that compressed liquid feeling. It’s hard when I have a teacher that lectures about drinking too much water but I have a straw in my bottle and I keep it close so when I drink I don’t break eye contact with myself. I just bend down, sip and bend up with as little energy and loss of focus as possible. At the end I gulp the last 6 or so ounces before final savasana.

I bought some ‘instant coconut water’ yesterday. It’s powder that when mixed with water makes coconut water. It’s kind of pricey but I think if I use 2 packets of em-c in 16 oz of water during class, and a 16oz coconut water after it might work. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Author

Posts