ELECTROLYTES
Updated: Oct 20
I must use a quality electrolyte drink every single day or I have major issues. For me, it comes down to POTS/dysautonomia. Many infections can trigger POTS, including Lyme (Borrelia), Bartonella, Babesia, Epstein-Barr and strep. There could be so many reasons, and I will never truly know which one flipped the switch. It doesn't matter, because I have it and have to manage it now, so I blame the tick!
I treat the diseases and know I must take things to keep my electrolytes balanced. I have found many products work and many do not. I am always testing new ones to expand my suggestions. Plus, I like to try new things. An ORS (oral rehydration solution) worked best for me years ago. I used ORS packets for 2 years when my POTS was severe. Redmond Re-Lyte has also worked great for me.
I have also tested a salt prescription that insurance covered.
I learned about potassium the hard way. I once used electrolytes with 500 mg of potassium, and they gave me scary heart symptoms. Then my doctor taught me why, and now I stick to electrolytes with under 200 mg of potassium per serving. Everyone is different, so always ask your doctor what they suggest.
I prefer unflavored electrolytes when possible because of my MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome).
WHY SO MANY POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS STOP AT 99 MG
-Many supplement companies cap potassium at 99 mg. The FDA linked some potassium chloride drug products with more than 99 mg to small-bowel injuries, and it requires a warning on some potassium salts over 99 mg per tablet (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, 2022).
-The form matters for that gut warning, but for your heart, it's the total amount of potassium that counts, whatever the form (capsule, powder or drink).
-Too much potassium can push your blood potassium too high (hyperkalemia). Severe cases can cause muscle weakness, heart palpitations and dangerous heart rhythm problems.
-Your kidneys clear extra potassium, but very large amounts can be more than they can handle, even in healthy people.
-The risk is higher with kidney disease, heart failure, adrenal insufficiency, liver disease or type 1 diabetes, or with medicines like ACE inhibitors, ARBs and potassium-sparing diuretics.
-I couldn't believe how many electrolyte products on Fullscript, even from top brands, have 400 to 500 mg of potassium per serving. That's the same problem I ran into years ago, so always check the label.
-I'm not a doctor, but I think putting high levels of potassium in supplements gives people the illusion that it's harmless. I'm pretty educated on this stuff, and even I thought, why not? It was scary.
Where I have a recommended product, the link to buy it is right under it.
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See my POTS / Dysautonomia post for more information on this topic:
SOME BASICS
Global Lyme Alliance - Excessive Thirst and Lyme Disease (March 2021) - older source, still worth reading
WHAT IS AN ORS?
-An ORS (oral rehydration solution) is a simple mix of salts and sugar (glucose) in just the right balance. That balance helps your gut absorb fluid, even when you're very dehydrated.
-For me, an ORS is sometimes necessary in extreme situations or during a big flare, to try to avoid needing an IV. I don't need one day to day.
-Why the sugar? The gut absorbs sodium and glucose together, and that pairing helps it absorb fluid better. Too much sugar backfires, though. Sports drinks, sodas and juices usually have too little sodium and too much sugar, which can cause even more fluid loss (Merck Manual, 2025).
-It's considered one of the biggest medical advances of the 20th century and has saved about 70 million lives worldwide (Indian Journal of Medical Research, 2024).
THE CLOSEST TO AN ORS ON FULLSCRIPT
BUBS Naturals Hydrate electrolyte drink mix (Mixed Berry or Lemon)
-It's not a true ORS. It's called an electrolyte drink mix, but it's the closest I've found on Fullscript.
-The Fullscript page says its formula "aligns with the electrolyte concentrations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for optimal oral rehydration."
-Per packet (Mixed Berry): 650 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, 50 mg magnesium, 1,100 mg chloride and 7 g cane sugar.
-It's right at my 200 mg potassium limit, so check with your doctor if potassium bothers you too.
Buy here (Mixed Berry):
Buy here (Lemon):
UNFLAVORED
Quinton Hypertonic (Quicksilver Scientific)
-I learned about Quinton from my Lyme doctor.
-Natural seawater with no flavor added.
-Per serving, the Fullscript page lists 102 mg sodium, 3 mg potassium and 11 mg magnesium.
Buy here (ampoules):
Buy here (liter):
MORE OPTIONS
Redmond Re-Lyte (capsules or drink mix) - I really like Re-Lyte for quality and taste, and they have an unflavored option.
-My favorite salt to use at home is also Redmond Real Salt, especially their taco seasoning!
-I've studied salts, and honestly, it's really hard to know which heavy metal tests to trust. I'm sticking with Redmond.
Buy here (discount applies automatically, or use code RISEABOVE):
Listed on my Ways to Save page:
Jigsaw Health Adrenal Cocktail (capsules or powder) - one of my favorites that I often return to over the years.
-It's not marketed as an electrolyte, but it gives me a good basic when I don't want extra ingredients.
-I like that it uses whole foods. It has sea salt, potassium and whole food vitamin C from acerola.
-Per 6 capsules: 480 mg sodium, 380 mg potassium and 400 mg vitamin C.
-That's over my 200 mg potassium rule if I took all 6 at once. I don't. I split them up through the day, so 2 capsules at a time is about 127 mg of potassium.
Buy here (capsules):
Buy here (powder):
MAKE YOUR OWN ORS
-Store-bought ORS packets are made more precisely, so a homemade version is best as a backup.
-Wash your hands first.
-Mix 1 liter of clean, safe water with half a teaspoon of salt (3.5 grams) and 8 teaspoons of sugar (40 grams).
-Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.
-This recipe from the Red Cross (IFRC, 2023) has no added potassium.
-If you have heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, ask your doctor first.
I've even made my own using bouillon cubes and maple syrup. It sounds gross, I know, but it tasted fine!
MAKE YOUR OWN COPYCAT ELECTROLYTES TO SAVE
My recipe, using ingredients from Fullscript, is in my Adrenal Cocktail and Electrolytes Recipes post:
RELATED POSTS
POTS - Possible Solutions
POTS / Dysautonomia
Low BP, POTS, and Dysautonomia
Potassium
Adrenal Cocktail and Electrolytes Recipes
Heat Intolerance / Temperature Regulation
POTS Directory
SOURCES
Indian Journal of Medical Research - Development of Oral Rehydration Salt Solution (September 2024)
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements - Potassium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals (June 2022)
Merck Manual Professional - Oral Rehydration Therapy (updated July 2025)
IFRC (Red Cross) - Preparing Oral Rehydration Solution (March 2023)
Fullscript - BUBS Naturals Hydrate electrolyte drink mix
Fullscript - Original Quinton Hypertonic
Fullscript - Jigsaw Health Adrenal Cocktail (capsules)
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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