Depletion of nutrients through kava related water loss

[Edward]

Years ago I found myself feeling wiped out after a few days drinking kava in a row. We know that kava causes more urination and possibly more sweating. I made the connection between the fatigue/lethargy, the increased water loss and b vitamins. After supplementing with b vitamins I noticed a lot less fatigue. I've written recently about having boy's trouble downstairs, less "get up and go". So I've read today that zinc is excreted through water loss channels as well. Low zinc is known to be linked to lower testosterone. So I'm going to start supplementing with zinc and see what happens as despite taking a lot of other supplements I do feel at a low ebb sometimes still. I wonder how many other nutrients are lost due to increased urination from kava?

 

[Zac Imiola (Herbalist)]

Yeah. Kava unlike dandelion, burdock, nettle and other nourishing diuretics. Does not replenish the electrolytes and minerals lost through urination.. and if your over drinking water then it'll be even worse.
Nutrient rich broths feel the best to me with kava. Easy to digest and revamps the digestion from the cold nature of kava onto it.

 

[schatz]

I like to drink bone and sometimes beef and bone broth for flavor almost everyday. We purchase a half a grass fed cow every year and get the bones also and boilthem up for a couple days at a time to release nutrients. Also I have been curious as to the loss of sodium in our blood due the diuretic nature of kava. Mine has been fine so far, 1 1/2 years in , but just might want to keep an eye on that. Mother in law was hospitalized last month for low sodium levels from drinking excess alcohol but I guess it could come from other things as we age and do not process as well in the kidney and liver regions. although alcohol is way harsher on the system it is just a thought.

 

[ThePiper]

Careful with too much zinc supplementation. It can cause weird side effects like hair loss I have heard. You might be able to take it every couple days and be fine

 

[Edward]

Careful with too much zinc supplementation. It can cause weird side effects like hair loss I have heard. You might be able to take it every couple days and be fine

I've not heard that. Maybe that's with excess zinc. If I'm short on zinc supplementation would just take me up to normal levels so hopefully won't cause any problems. Thanks for the tip though, I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[Intrepidus_dux]

My guess is any water solutible vitamin would be easily lost. The b vitamins sound like a good idea. I haven't heard of the zinc, but when I bought some electrolyte solution today for my usual low blood pressure issues, I saw that it had zinc inclded in with it.

 

[ThePiper]

Maca is great for hormone balance and motivation and also has a nice little chunk of dietary zinc in it. Maybe 10% rda.

 

[Zaphod]

Without a doubt Zinc (and vitamin D for us in upper latitudes during the winter) have made a very large difference (ahem pun intended) in the get up and go department. B vitamins are also great at helping with fatigue and focus. Since starting to take extra zinc - what I thought was an issue with drinking too much kava has gone away so I think you are on to something.

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

Without a doubt Zinc (and vitamin D for us in upper latitudes during the winter) have made a very large difference (ahem pun intended) in the get up and go department. B vitamins are also great at helping with fatigue and focus. Since starting to take extra zinc - what I thought was an issue with drinking too much kava has gone away so I think you are on to something.

Boner City?

 

[schatz]

Maca is great for hormone balance and motivation and also has a nice little chunk of dietary zinc in it. Maybe 10% rda.

What brand Maca are you using, and are you finding black, red , yellow or a blend works best. Also I wonder if a little extra vit C would be helpful, Linus says it would and he lived to 93,don't know. I have been using terrasol blended Maca and gelatanized off and on for a couple years now and I think I am getting more energy from it.

 

[schatz]

Boner City?

Like my granpa always siad. Never waste it.

 

[Edward]

Without a doubt Zinc (and vitamin D for us in upper latitudes during the winter) have made a very large difference (ahem pun intended) in the get up and go department. B vitamins are also great at helping with fatigue and focus. Since starting to take extra zinc - what I thought was an issue with drinking too much kava has gone away so I think you are on to something.

Have you had any trouble with nausea after taking the zinc? I've had it before and I don't know if it's just a case of getting used to it or maybe not a good brand but I didn't feel at all well for a spell today. I did take it with food as recommended so not that. It's early days on the zinc and I can't say I'm feeling a lot yet but I'll keep going. I think I have definitely noticed a correlation between how much kava I drink and how much "get up and go" I have. I do tend to measure my tbsps well heaped so maybe I should just tone it down a bit or indeed yes it could be to do with zinc or something else I'm excreting too much of combined with my age (mid 40's).

 

[Zaphod]

Have you had any trouble with nausea after taking the zinc? I've had it before and I don't know if it's just a case of getting used to it or maybe not a good brand but I didn't feel at all well for a spell today. I did take it with food as recommended so not that. It's early days on the zinc and I can't say I'm feeling a lot yet but I'll keep going. I think I have definitely noticed a correlation between how much kava I drink and how much "get up and go" I have. I do tend to measure my tbsps well heaped so maybe I should just tone it down a bit or indeed yes it could be to do with zinc or something else I'm excreting too much of combined with my age (mid 40's).

I have had no issues taking it with or without food. My typical kava intake is ~4TBS in the aluball. Sometimes I still do traditional prep in which case it is about the same 2-4 TBS but definitely stronger. You may also consider upping your cholesterol intake. Can't make good old T without cholesterol and I still think kava mucks with it some ways. I added back in some eggs, a little more fat (good stuff like olive oil) and added zinc I was much better off.