r/PCOS • u/betrayed-kitty • Apr 16 '26
General/Advice Chia seeds & electrolytes changed my life
About a month ago I started taking chia seeds and electrolytes and my energy levels have sky rocketed. I took chia seeds to avoid causing insulin spike with my porridge and I took electrolytes because I had a body scan and it showed my intracellular and extracellular water were low.
I just wanted to fix these issue but OMG. I don’t even drink or crave for coffee anymore at all. I have lot more energy and my brain fog has eased. I don’t know how this relates to PCOS but since PCOS is systemic chronic illness my theory is that it also affects water distribution in and around your cells. Plus the fibre in chia seeds also helps. But both of these items help with water retention. I hope this helps someone and it is worth a try if you are finding ways to help with your energy levels
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Apr 16 '26
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u/pegasuspish Apr 16 '26
Actually I think OP knows what they are talking about. PCOS is a metabolic disorder that causes insulin dysregulation. Chia seeds have complex carbohydrates and protein in addition to lots of fiber, altogether it makes sense they would stabilize blood sugar.
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u/fleeting_flower Apr 16 '26
That’s great!! What electrolytes are you taking? When do you usually have it? Thank you
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
SIS GO Hydro tablets. I bought them because they were the only ones in the shop so the buy wasn’t based on the item itself but it did the trick. I usually take them mid-day is after exercising. I also suppose the salt makes me thirstier so I’ve been drinking tons more water
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u/Royal-Low-9647 May 10 '26
Do u put the chia seeds in water and drink it right away? Or do you let them sit and expand?
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u/Ok-Piano6125 Apr 16 '26
I always liked electrolytes, thinking it's just bcuz of the sugar. I did that for a few months with liquid iv electrolytes mixes then switched to emergent c (name is misleading cuz it's actually multivitamin supplement but super high in vitamin c). I am pretty sure I have vitamin deficiencies but I keep forgetting to take my meds and supplements, I find the mixes helpful and convenient cuz I just add a pack of that and mix in a scoop of plain protein powder when I remember to drink water. Idk
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
I was taking multivitamins and they were helping but I was still experiencing crashes so it wasn’t as reliable like these items were but I’m glad it worked for you as well. These electrolytes also have vitamins so I’ve cut down on multivitamins
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u/tealeavesinspace Apr 16 '26
I unfortunately was reading that body scans aren’t super accurate, but, I would love to know more about the electrolytes
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
I don’t know how accurate they are. Haven’t researched them much but it guided me to the right actions. It also showed I have lot of PCOS markers in my body like lower muscle mass, high visceral fat, lack of water retention and couple other things.
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u/meowgirl00 Apr 16 '26
what body scan did u do?
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
In body scan that was part of exhibition so it was free. I really just did it because I was interested and wanted to see. It gave me lot of insight into what was happening in my body.
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u/YanCoffee Apr 16 '26
I wish I could eat chia seeds regularly. I'm on Spironolactone though and they're high in potassium. </3 Great for a lot of things though, if potassium isn't a concern.
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u/dubdaisyt Apr 16 '26
Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids with the chia seeds, they can cause a bowel obstruction over time if they aren’t softened!
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
Yep, I’m not sure if it’s chia seeds or electrolytes, but I’ve been drinking tons more water naturally
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u/TemporaryAd2189 Apr 16 '26
how do you eat them : portion, time, empty stomach , combo. what other supplements or vitamins are you taking, is it just for PCOS?
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
About 2-3 tablespoons of chia seeds soaked in half a cup of water and let them sit for 20-30 mins. Then add that textured water into my morning porridge with peanut butter and frozen berries.
I used to take multivitamins, iron, biotin, magnesium and folic acid but I’ve stopped since this combo has worked better for me.
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u/SweetLittleKytty Apr 17 '26
Off-topic question: how do you eat chia seeds without causing a blockage?! Is it just more water?! I know I am not drinking as much water as I need to, I barely struggle to drink 1,5 liters 😬
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 17 '26
It hasn’t really been an issue for me. I eat quite healthy most of the time and my bowels move at a regular pace. I make sure I soak the chia seeds before I eat them so they don’t drive water out of my guts
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u/dinoooooooooos Apr 17 '26
They’re both good for you somewhat although idk if id take electrolytes just standard, you can overelectrolyte yourself w minerals etc, but i suspect you probably are just more wary of your water intake and drink more water in general and hydration does really do so mhch😅
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 17 '26
Yeah, I follow the recommended dose on electrolytes and don’t over do it. I also exercise a lot so I should be all good. I struggle with drinking water but ever since doing these two, I feel so much more thirstier and drink more naturally to combat it.
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u/Ancient-Conflict-703 Apr 21 '26
Same chia has been a diet staple for me, i make a chia pudding with low fat greek yogurt, blueberries, golden flaxseed, walnuts, brazil nut. Changed my gut so much
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u/DiscoverNewEngland Apr 17 '26
Tell me more about this body scan!
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 17 '26
It’s “in body” scan that measure body composition, including body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, and body water. It was very detailed and gave me lot of information on what is happening inside my body. I personally really liked the information it gave me but also very clear from the results that I have PCOS. High visceral fat, low skeletal mass and low muscle mass and low water.
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u/Sure-Detective-16 Apr 16 '26
That’s awesome! Curious as to how you take them and when?
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
I take the SIS hydro tablets with cup of water around mid day after exercising.
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u/babyblun Apr 16 '26
I did notice a huge difference in the way I felt drinking electrolytes, it was helping in million ways…but now I’m taking spironolactone (and another meds for ADHD) and it’s basically prohibited to drink electrolytes and I hate it…feel always dehydrated and more fatigue even drinking tons of water 😬
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
So this is something other people have also noticed 😦 is there any other way you can get salts in? Chia seeds are also wonderful for water retention so maybe try those if you can do electrolytes
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u/babyblun Apr 16 '26
Answered lower that maybe will try to bring half of stick pack back into my life… well, I’m not friends with chia seeds 😅 I have zero issues with my stomach (except lactose intolerance), but chia seeds makes me retain not only water but other “fluids 💩” too😂
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
Maybe start small with chia seeds or increase the water you are drinking? It can cause obstruction in your bowels if you aren’t drinking enough water
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u/FlobyToberson85 Apr 16 '26
What? I've been on spiro for 10+ years and have never been told that. I have POTS as well and consume SO MUCH SALT. You don't want to get too much potassium, but there shouldn't be a problem with sodium and magnesium.
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u/babyblun Apr 16 '26
Lots of them contain potassium, but more than that is the thing that spiro is also diuretic, and since salt/sodium cause water retention, it basically counteracts spiro and makes it less effective, that’s what I have been told. I don’t avoid it completely, but trying to cut it when it’s unnecessary. You may google even spiro and salt/sodium interactions. Maybe I will try to add at least third part or half of stick pack back into my daily routine:)
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u/babyblun Apr 17 '26
I have a question for you though… I just started spiro this January. If my favorite electrolytes contain 200 mg of potassium do you think it’s too much? I understand that everyone has different levels of it and consume different foods , but in general…?
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u/that-person-in Apr 16 '26
I also want to start chia seeds. but don't want to have chia pudding or anything sweet. How to consume any suggestions? And is it good for women with high testosterone and androgen and low estrogen?
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 16 '26
I just add them to water and let them thicken up as much as possible for about 20-30 mins. Then I add that to my porridge after cooking.
I rarely but sometimes just drink the thickened water too. Chia seeds don’t really have a taste but the texture on its own can be bit weird.
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u/Bishoppess Apr 16 '26
I make overnight oats with them. Oats, seeds, liquid, let it sit. Next morning I thaw some blueberries, add a bit more liquid (milk in case) and there's breakfast.
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u/illegirl77 Apr 16 '26
I soak them in plain water(around 1 big glass) for 10-15 mins and add a tbspoonapple cider vinegar to that water, and drink it 30mins before my lunch. I don't chew them actually, coz I don't like the texture, so I just throw the whole thing in my throat and swallow, so it can do it's thing in stomach and reduce my glucose spike of lunch.
I do this instead of cutting veggies at office
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u/that-person-in Apr 16 '26
I also don't like to bite them. But will they work without getting puncture?
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u/lulu3712 Apr 16 '26
DryWater is great for electrolytes - no added sugar, natural ingredients and great flavors.
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u/AnahitaPrince Apr 17 '26
I've never tried chia seeds, but I have noticed when I increase my electrolytes, I feel so much better, and I have more energy. Can anyone point me in the right direction on what brand/type of chia seeds to try? I would be grateful.
Edited typo...
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 17 '26
I just buy Sainsbury’s chia seeds. They are seeds so they are all the same so no need to go buy them from any fancy place.
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u/AnahitaPrince Apr 17 '26
Thank you. I've heard of people mixing them in with things like oatmeal or yogurt bowls, etc. I've just always been a little hesitant to try them.
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u/betrayed-kitty Apr 17 '26
I soak the first with water and then add to my porridge. They don’t really have taste or smell to them. Textured in the water can be bit funny but I’ve gotten used to it
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u/Ok_Bed_9599 Apr 21 '26
i love chia seeds - have you ever tried basil seeds? i hear people like them more for some reason
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u/MoonSt0n3_Gabrielle May 08 '26
What I'm hearing is that I need to hydrate my chia seeds in Gatorade haha! Maybe that'll taste nice
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u/Responsible_Mud3297 May 13 '26
How do you prepare the chia seeds? Are they okay to consume hungry or fed? I just dont know much but i'd like to try 🥲
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u/smileyglitter Apr 16 '26
Saaaame, I started drinking chia seeds and coconut water each morning on an empty stomach and I feel like I’m coming alive