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2014-11-03 3:00 AM


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Subject: Salt tablets
On my longer bike rides and when it's a little hotter My sweat seams to be more saltier than normal. I was thinking of using salt tablets on top of my normal electrolyte drinks. Anyone use salt tablets?


2014-11-03 5:45 AM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
I use Thermotabs on my runs about 6 months out of the year down here in the Keys because it is so warm and humid and I have a high sweat rate. It seems to help me maintain effort. (Maybe just in my head, but I feel better, so....)
2014-11-03 7:01 AM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
I sweat as if I get paid for every drop.

Salt tablets do nothing for me until it's over about 90-92. Above that I'll take one lava salts about every half hour or I cramp up.

Below that, just HEED or Perpetuem

2014-11-03 8:00 AM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets

Originally posted by Jimmycolorado On my longer bike rides and when it's a little hotter My sweat seams to be more saltier than normal. I was thinking of using salt tablets on top of my normal electrolyte drinks. Anyone use salt tablets?

How have you determined your sweat is saltier?

2014-11-03 8:22 AM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
I do, but only when it's really hot outside. My usual electrolyte drink (Clif shot electrolyte drink mix) is sufficient for me in regular conditions, but when it gets really hot and/or humid, I take 1-2 salt tabs per hour depending on how hard I'm working out.

You may want to try them and see how they work for you.
2014-11-03 8:24 AM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
Are you experiencing issues that you are trying to solve? If not, I would simply keep doing what you are doing as it would appear to be working.

Shane


2014-11-03 9:44 AM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
I use salt tabs on all my long workouts and long races (HIM). The amount I take varies depending on the conditions, but I find that I need them in order to stay hydrated. I drink Ironman Perform and it isn't enough to keep me hydrated, without salt tabs I'd be hurting. My last race (Silverman in Las Vegas) there were a ton of people cramping up on the run, but I just kept taking my salt tabs and didn't cramp up at all. I was absolutely covered in sweat but felt good afterwards. For me, salt tabs are a necessity in any long race (and long bike rides), and even more so if there is heat. Everyone is different though and taking too many electrolytes could have a negative affect.
2014-11-03 10:22 AM
in reply to: #5064793

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
A lot of salt on your clothing after extended activity can mean either not enough sodium or too much. A test is about the only legit way to figure it out.
2014-11-03 10:52 AM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets

Originally posted by GMAN 19030 A lot of salt on your clothing after extended activity can mean either not enough sodium or too much. A test is about the only legit way to figure it out.

It can also simply mean that you sweated a lot and the water evaporated. 

2014-11-03 11:02 AM
in reply to: #5064890

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
That too. Which is probably the answer for most people.
2014-11-03 3:44 PM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado

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Subject: RE: Salt tablets
I experimented with them for about a year. I'm prone to cramping so I thought they might help. I really didn't perceive a difference. On the other hand, they also didn't affect my stomach, which is one of the issues I was warned about with them.


2014-11-03 4:00 PM
in reply to: Jimmycolorado


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Subject: RE: Salt tablets

For salt, the typical American diet has plenty of excess salt, so you typically won't need to salt supplement. For IM stuff, some salt can help, but often the electrolytes in your nutrition already have a decent amount.

 

Taking extra salt won't necessarily hurt you; but what taking excess does do is drive your thirst reflex to dilute out any extra salt you took in with water. This is the same phenomenon as going to salty Chinese buffet, and having to drink a lot of water afterwards. The main risk is that if you suddenly take in a lot more salt that you're used to on race day, you're going to have to drink a lot more water and risk getting a stomach cramp or GI upset from SBR on a sloshy stomach. You will also eventually have to pee out all that extra salt+fluid; in multihour races, this could mean an extra pee stop on the race course (or on the bike!

 

This is why you have some triathletes who seem like they take in ridiculously high amounts of salts (Jordan Rapp is one of them, and it works for him), and others who do zero salt tabs. Your kidneys are pretty smart about exactly regulating the right amount of sodium balance in your body and controlling your thirst reflex to match.

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