Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Mix

[PatJ]

On another thread @Valentijn recently recommended a commercial electrolyte powder (instead of DIY) to help with OI. The "Electrolyte Stamina Power Pak" she recommended looked good but has too much Vitamin C for me, which leads to fatigue and a general blah feeling. Electromix has been popular with many forum members but hasn't been available recently due to supply shortages.

After some searching I found an alternative called Ultima Replenisher. It doesn't contain sugar, it's non-gmo, vegan, with no artificial ingredients. It's available in packets or powder. The powder contains 90 servings. Each serving is mixed in 8-12oz of water. The web site (www.ultimareplenisher.com) is informative, contains a short explanation of the reason for adding each ingredient, and includes a useful FAQ section.

I've been taking it for a week: 2 scoops in 2L of water, 3/4 tsp salt added, extra 540mg of potassium powder, and consumed throughout the day (1 scoop is 4.4g, or 1 tsp according the web site). This has helped me to stay upright a little longer while feeling better in general. It isn't a dramatic improvement but it helps enough to keep taking it. I still spend much of the day horizontal with 15-30 minutes upright every 1.5 hours or so.

Vitacost link for Red Raspberry powder (90 servings):
www.vitacost.com/ultima-health-products-replenisher-balanced-electrolyte-powder-red-raspberry

== Ingredients in the Red Raspberry flavor ==
Calories: 15
Total Carbohydrate: 3 g (1%)

Vitamin C (from calcium ascorbate and cili fruit extract): 100 mg (167%)
Calcium (as calcium citrate and calcium ascorbate): 25 mg (3%)
Phosphorus (as potassium phosphate): 15 mg (2%)
Magnesium (as magnesium citrate and magnesium aspartate): 8 mg (2%)
Zinc (as zinc citrate): 1 mg (7%)
Selenium (as selenium amino acid chelate): 1.25 mcg (2%)
Copper (as copper citrate): 0.2 mg (10%)
Manganese (as manganese citrate): 0.2 mg (10%)
Chromium (as chromium dinicotinate glycinate): 5 mcg (4%)
Molybdenum (as sodium molybdate): 3.5 mcg (5%)
Chloride (as sodium chloride): 7.5 mg (<1%)
Sodium (as sodium chloride): 5 mg (<1%)
Potassium (as potassium aspartate and potassium phosphate): 75 mg (2%)
Stevia Leaf Extract 60 mg
Cranberry fruit extract 50 mg

Other Ingredients: Non-GMO maltodextrin, stevia leaf extract, natural flavors, citric acid, malic acid, beet color, silica and luo han guo fruit extract.

 

[Valentijn]

I don't tolerate Vitamin C either. It gives me diarrhea if I take anything more than I'd get from a multivitamin. The mix you described sounded good until you hit cranberries - they cause me major swelling

 

[SOC]

Looks like good stuff. No folic acid.

Be aware, though, that its levels of electrolytes is less than Electromix. It would take 6 servings of Ultima (36-48 oz) to get the same amount of potassium as 1 packet (1L = 34 oz), and 15 servings to get as much magnesium. That would make the cost $1.60 for the same amount of potassium as $0.33 for ElectroMix.

It has some advantages, such as flavor varieties, and minerals not in ElectroMix, such as selenium, zinc, and sodium.

This is definitely a viable alternative to ElectroMix, imo.

 

[PatJ]

I don't tolerate Vitamin C either. It gives me diarrhea if I take anything more than I'd get from a multivitamin. The mix you described sounded good until you hit cranberries - they cause me major swelling

The flavors grape, lemonade, orange, and tart cherry don't contain any cranberry. It's only the red raspberry flavor and kids formula that contain cranberry. I just happened to pick the flavor that would cause problems for you. That figures.

The following page has product images that list the ingredients in each flavor:
www.ultimareplenisher.com/ultima-products/supplement-facts/

 

[minkeygirl]

I use this. If you're in the US you can get it on amazon subscribe and save for about $20 with free shipping.

I used nuun but I couldn't tolerate the carbonation.

 

[PatJ]

Be aware, though, that its levels of electrolytes is less than Electromix. It would take 6 servings of Ultima (36-48 oz) to get the same amount of potassium as 1 packet (1L = 34 oz), and 15 servings to get as much magnesium. That would make the cost $1.60 for the same amount of potassium as $0.33 for ElectroMix.

The Ultima faq provides the reason for the proportions:
"Optimal hydration requires a good balance of the macro and micro-essential electrolytes in the human body. Ultima provides these essential electrolytes roughly in proportion to what is lost in human perspiration"

I've been using NOW Potassium Gluconate powder to inexpensively increase the Potassium amount. I once ran out the powder and had to rely on potassium tablets but found that I needed to take 30% more to have the same effect (based on the elemental amount). I also take magnesium separately so I have more control over the dose. A little too much magnesium and my OI increases.

 

[SpecialK82]

How's the taste?

 

[minkeygirl]

I have the grape and it's pretty decent. I'm waiting to get the raspberry.

 

[PatJ]

How's the taste?

I've only tried the red raspberry flavor. I like the taste, and the sweetness is just right for me. I'm quite sensitive to sweetness since I don't eat any processed foods or anything with added sugar (except a little honey sometimes.) All of the Ultima flavors are from natural ingredients.

The reviews I've read have the usual opposites of "It tastes great!" or "It tastes disgusting!" The only way you'll know if you like the flavor is to try it and see what your tongue and brain have to say about it.

 

[SpecialK82]

Just ordered some Ultima - thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Research 1st]

For optimum attempts to treat OI with some effect (It can't be treated in POTS outright) you need medical grade drugs, such as Midodrine and tight support stockings to try and reduce blood pooling, both which need to be prescribed by a doctor. Midodrine, although excellent for some, has nasty side effects, including supine hypertension headaches and chest pain.

Thus, if this natural supplement 'mix' is a safe way to get more salt inside you to increase blood volume (I think POTS patients are meant to be on around 150-170 mmol sodium output per day on a 24hr urine test), then it looks like electrolyte mixes are a cheap and palatable way to get more salt inside you - who likes eating boring salt?. When I tested my own, 24hr urine sodium level, it was low - perhaps an example why specialist testing is potentially useful, but rarely done in ME CFS POTS patients with OI, by doctors.

When taking a volume expanding product, 'natural' or otherwise I'd consider having an U&E blood test and/or a 24hr Urine sodium test after a while if one wasn't done before you began any form of sodium increasing method beforehand.

Also I'd monitor my blood pressure, especially if I was overweight. People can have high BP, and not know, which can be dangerous to ignore. So I guess my feeling is, everyone should take what they want regarding supplements, that is safe, but be careful in believing one has lower than normal sodium levels, without checking beforehand, as this might be the opposite. Highly unlikely in ME POTS with a normal diet, but still possible.

 

[minkeygirl]

I am going on a candida diet so I'm checking everything and this has maltodextrine in it. On the hunt for something. Nuun's carbonation doesn't work for me.

Just found this

http://www.amazon.com/EleteTM-24-6-Ml-Pocket-Bottle/dp/B0018N27UY

 

[PatJ]

I am going on a candida diet so I'm checking everything and this has maltodextrine in it. On the hunt for something. Nuun's carbonation doesn't work for me.

Information from the Ultima web site:

"Maltodextrin is a complex carb. We use non-GMO corn for all of our flavors except Lemonade where we use non-GMO rice maltodextrin. The Maltodextrin is our main carb source and we use very little to reduce glycemic load."

"The ‘good’ maltodextrin found in Ultima Replenisher is different from the maltodextrin found in many foods, soda and sports drinks. Ours comes from non-GMO rice grown in Wisconsin. It is a complex carbohydrate with chained molecules. Users benefit from low osmolarity, complete solubility and easy digestion.

A small amount of carbohydrate enhances rapid digestion in the stomach and is critical for the small intestine’s absorption of nutrients like calcium, chromium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, selenium, zinc and phosphorus. Too many carbs slow the process, but no carbs prevents this vital process from happening at all. The amount of carbs in Ultima creates the correct balance."

Do you need to avoid maltodextrin entirely or would the kind in Ultima be acceptable? They say that "very little" is used. Maybe their customer support can tell you what that means as an exact measure.

 

[PatJ]

Flavor update:
* Red Raspberry - good
* Grape - good
* Tart Cherry - I recommend avoiding it. It's like drinking perfume and leaves a strange aftertaste. Reviews on other sites don't usually favor the cherry flavor. Now I know why.

 

[Aerose91]

I use BodyBio ELyte, simple ingredients and high levels of potassium

http://www.bodybio.com/storeproduct348.aspx