In This Article
Why Water Alone Won’t Hydrate You: The Electrolyte Truth
By Ben Lynch, ND
The references below were provided by the author and support the claims made throughout the article. Each citation links to its original publication for readers who wish to explore the underlying research.
For more on the products and protocols mentioned, visit seekinghealth.com.
(Continued from Why Water Alone Won’t Hydrate You: The Electrolyte Truth)
References
1. Armstrong LE. “Assessing hydration status: the elusive gold standard.” J Am Coll Nutr. 2007;26(5 Suppl):575S–584S. doi:10.1080/07315724.2007.10719661
2. Shrimanker I, Bhattarai S. “Electrolytes.” In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123
3. Cogswell ME, Zhang Z, Carriquiry AL, et al. “Sodium and potassium intakes among US adults: NHANES 2003–2008.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96(3):647–657. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.034413
4. Marier JR. “Magnesium content of the food supply in the modern-day world.” Magnesium. 1986;5(1):1–8.
6. de Baaij JH, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ. “Magnesium in man: implications for health and disease.” Physiol Rev. 2015;95(1):1–46. doi:10.1152/physrev.00012.2014
7. Firoz M, Graber M. “Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations.” Magnes Res. 2001;14(4):257-262.
8. Strazzullo P, Leclercq C. “Sodium.” Adv Nutr. 2014;5(2):188–190. doi:10.3945/an.113.005215
9. Kim JS, Lee HJ, Kim SK, Kim HJ. “Global pattern of microplastics (MPs) in commercial food-grade salts: sea salt as an indicator of seawater MP pollution.” Environ Sci Technol. 2018;52(21):12819–12828. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b04180
11. Baker LB, De Chavez PJD, Ungaro CT, et al. “Exercise intensity effects on total sweat electrolyte losses and regional vs. whole-body sweat [Na+], [Cl-], and [K+].” Eur J Appl Physiol. 2019;119(2):361–375. doi:10.1007/s00421-018-4048-z
12. Rabast U, Vornberger KH, Ehl M. “Loss of weight, sodium and water in obese persons consuming a high- or low-carbohydrate diet.” Ann Nutr Metab. 1981;25(6):341–349. doi:10.1159/000176515
13. Arlt W, Allolio B. “Adrenal insufficiency.” Lancet. 2003;361(9372):1881–1893. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13492-7
15. Clausen T. “Na+-K+ pump regulation and skeletal muscle contractility.” Physiol Rev. 2003;83(4):1269–1324. doi:10.1152/physrev.00011.2003
16. Rolfe DF, Brown GC. “Cellular energy utilization and molecular origin of standard metabolic rate in mammals.” Physiol Rev. 1997;77(3):731–758. doi:10.1152/physrev.1997.77.3.731
21. Burke DG, Chilibeck PD, Parise G, et al. “Effect of creatine and weight training on muscle creatine and performance in vegetarians.” Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(11):1946–1955. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000093614.17517.79
23. Rana SK, Sanders TA. “Taurine concentrations in the diet, plasma, urine and breast milk of vegans compared with omnivores.” Br J Nutr. 1986;56(1):17–27. doi:10.1079/bjn19860082
25. Brisbois TD, Farmer AP, McCargar LJ. “Early markers of adult obesity: a review.” Obes Rev. 2012;13(4):347–367. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00965.x
26. Stevens LJ, Kuczek T, Burgess JR, et al. “Dietary sensitivities and ADHD symptoms: thirty-five years of research.” Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2011;50(4):279–293. doi:10.1177/0009922810384728
27. Zitter JN, Mazonson PD, Miller DP, et al. “Aircraft cabin air recirculation and symptoms of the common cold.” JAMA. 2002;288(4):483–486. doi:10.1001/jama.288.4.483
28. Freedman SB, Willan AR, Boutis K, et al. “Effect of dilute apple juice and preferred fluids vs electrolyte maintenance solution on treatment failure among children with mild gastroenteritis: a randomized clinical trial.” JAMA. 2016;315(18):1966–1974. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.5352
29. Maughan RJ, Griffin J. “Caffeine ingestion and fluid balance: a review.” J Hum Nutr Diet. 2003;16(6):411–420. doi:10.1046/j.1365-277x.2003.00477.x
31. Soma-Pillay P, Nelson-Piercy C, Tolppanen H, et al. “Physiological changes in pregnancy.” Cardiovasc J Afr. 2016;27(2):89–94. doi:10.5830/CVJA-2016-021
32. Neville MC, Keller R, Seacat J, et al. “Studies in human lactation: milk volumes in lactating women during the onset of lactation and full lactation.” Am J Clin Nutr. 1988;48(6):1375–1386. doi:10.1093/ajcn/48.6.1375
33. Schubert ML. “Gastric acid secretion.” Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2016;32(6):452–460. doi:10.1097/MOG.0000000000000308
34. Viera AJ, Wouk N. “Potassium disorders: hypokalemia and hyperkalemia.” Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):487–495.
35. Weaver CM. “Potassium and health.” Adv Nutr. 2013;4(3):368S–377S. doi:10.3945/an.112.003533
36. Skogestad J, Aronsen JM. “Hypokalemia-induced arrhythmias and heart failure: new insights and implications for therapy.” Front Physiol. 2018;9:1500. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01500
37. Palmer BF. “Regulation of potassium homeostasis.” Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2015;10(6):1050–1060. doi:10.2215/CJN.08580813
38. Rastegar A. “Serum potassium.” In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, eds. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd ed. Boston: Butterworths; 1990.
39. Chatterjee R, Yeh HC, Shafi T, et al. “Serum potassium and the racial disparity in diabetes risk: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;93(5):1087–1091. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.007286
40. Razzaque MS. “Magnesium: are we consuming enough?” Nutrients. 2018;10(12):1863. doi:10.3390/nu10121863
41. Tarleton EK, Littenberg B. “Response: re: magnesium intake and depression in adults.” J Am Board Fam Med. 2015;28(5):683–684. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2015.05.150194
42. Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ. “Magnesium and aging.” Curr Pharm Des. 2010;16(7):832–839. doi:10.2174/138161210790883679
43. DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH, Wilson W. “Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis.” Open Heart. 2018;5(1):e000668. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000668
44. Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L. “Effect of magnesium supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis.” Eur J Clin Nutr. 2012;66(4):411–418. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2012.4
45. Abbasi B, Kimiagar M, Sadeghniiat K, et al. “The effect of magnesium supplementation on primary insomnia in elderly: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.” J Res Med Sci. 2012;17(12):1161–1169.
46. Mauskop A, Varughese J. “Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium.” J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2012;119(5):575–579. doi:10.1007/s00702-012-0790-2
49. Workinger JL, Doyle RP, Bortz J. “Challenges in the diagnosis of magnesium status.” Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1202. doi:10.3390/nu10091202
50. Elin RJ. “Assessment of magnesium status for diagnosis and therapy.” Magnes Res. 2010;23(4):S194–S198. doi:10.1684/mrh.2010.0213
51. World Health Organization. “Guideline: Sodium Intake for Adults and Children.” Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241504836
52. Farapti F, Maulia PH, Fadilla C, et al. “Community-level dietary intake of sodium, potassium, and sodium-to-potassium ratio as a global public health problem: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” F1000Res. 2025;11:953. doi:10.12688/f1000research.122560.3
54. Liu D, Tian Y, Wang R, et al. “Sodium, potassium intake, and all-cause mortality: confusion and new findings.” BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1):180. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17582-8
56. Cook NR, Appel LJ, Whelton PK. “Sodium intake and all-cause mortality over 20 years in the trials of hypertension prevention.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016;68(15):1609–1617. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.07.745
57. Ma Y, He FJ, Sun Q, et al. “24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion and cardiovascular risk.” N Engl J Med. 2022;386(3):252–263. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2109794
58. Aljuraiban GS, Jose AP, Gupta P, et al. “Sodium intake, health implications, and the role of population-level strategies.” Nutr Rev. 2021;79(3):351–359. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaa042
59. He FJ, Tan M, Ma Y, et al. “Salt reduction to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease: JACC state-of-the-art review.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(6):632–647. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2019.11.055
60. Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Vadiveloo M, et al. “2021 dietary guidance to improve cardiovascular health: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.” Circulation. 2021;144(23):e472–e487. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001031
61. Jaques DA, Wuerzner G, Ponte B. “Sodium intake as a cardiovascular risk factor: a narrative review.” Nutrients. 2021;13(9):3177. doi:10.3390/nu13093177
62. Rust P, Ekmekcioglu C. “Impact of salt intake on the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension.” Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017;956:61–84. doi:10.1007/5584_2016_147
63. Malta D, Petersen KS, Johnson C, et al. “High sodium intake increases blood pressure and risk of kidney disease. From the science of salt: a regularly updated systematic review of salt and health outcomes (August 2016 to March 2017).” J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2018;20(12):1654–1665. doi:10.1111/jch.13408
64. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Diabetes Work Group. “KDIGO 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes Management in Chronic Kidney Disease.” Published in Kidney Int. 2022;102(5S):S1–S127. doi:10.1016/j.kint.2022.06.008
65. Hunter RW, Dhaun N, Bailey MA. “The impact of excessive salt intake on human health.” Nat Rev Nephrol. 2022;18(5):321–335. doi:10.1038/s41581-021-00533-0
66. Ikizler TA, Burrowes JD, Byham-Gray LD, et al. “KDOQI clinical practice guideline for nutrition in CKD: 2020 update.” Am J Kidney Dis. 2020;76(3 Suppl 1):S1–S107. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.05.006
67. Gumz ML, Rabinowitz L, Wingo CS. “An integrated view of potassium homeostasis.” N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):60–72. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1313341
68. McDonough AA, Fenton RA. “Potassium homeostasis: sensors, mediators, and targets.” Pflugers Arch. 2022;474(8):853–867. doi:10.1007/s00424-022-02718-3
69. Stone MS, Martyn L, Weaver CM. “Potassium intake, bioavailability, hypertension, and glucose control.” Nutrients. 2016;8(7):444. doi:10.3390/nu8070444
70. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. “Potassium: fact sheet for health professionals.” Updated June 2, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional
73. Palmer BF, Clegg DJ. “Physiology and pathophysiology of potassium homeostasis.” Adv Physiol Educ. 2016;40(4):480–490. doi:10.1152/advan.00121.2016
74. Brilla LR, Giroux MS, Taylor A, et al. “Magnesium-creatine supplementation effects on body water.” Metabolism. 2003;52(9):1136–1140. doi:10.1016/s0026-0495(03)00188-4
75. American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, American College of Sports Medicine; Rodriguez NR, Di Marco NM, Langley S. “American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Nutrition and athletic performance.” Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):709–731. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e31890eb86
78. Wax B, Kerksick CM, Jagim AR, et al. “Creatine for exercise and sports performance, with recovery considerations for healthy populations.” Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1915. doi:10.3390/nu13061915
79. Rawson ES, Miles MP, Larson-Meyer DE. “Dietary supplements for health, adaptation, and recovery in athletes.” Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(2):188–199. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0340
80. Zhang Y, Xun P, Wang R, et al. ‘Can magnesium enhance exercise performance?” Nutrients. 2017;9(9):946. doi:10.3390/nu9090946
86. Whang R, Whang DD, Ryan MP. “Refractory potassium repletion. A consequence of magnesium deficiency.” Arch Intern Med. 1992;152(1):40–45.
87. Lindinger MI, Cairns SP. “Regulation of muscle potassium: exercise performance, fatigue and health implications.” Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021;121(3):721–748. doi:10.1007/s00421-020-04546-8
88.Touyz RM, de Baaij JHF, Hoenderop JGJ. “Magnesium disorders.” N Engl J Med. 2024;390(21):1998–2009. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1510603
89. Bonilla DA, Kreider RB, Stout JR, et al. “Metabolic basis of creatine in health and disease: a bioinformatics-assisted review.” Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1238. doi:10.3390/nu13041238
92. Seidel U, Huebbe P, Rimbach G. “Taurine: a regulator of cellular redox homeostasis and skeletal muscle function.” Mol Nutr Food Res. 2019;63(16):e1800569. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201800569
93. Ripps H, Shen W. “Review: taurine: a ‘very essential’ amino acid.” Mol Vis. 2012;18:2673–2686.
94. Stapleton PP, Charles RP, Redmond HP, et al. “Taurine and human nutrition.” Clin Nutr. 1997;16(3):103–108. doi:10.1016/s0261-5614(97)80234-8
95. Lambert IH, Kristensen DM, Holm JB, et al. “Physiological role of taurine—from organism to organelle.” Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2015;213(1):191–212. doi:10.1111/apha.12365
96. Das J, Roy A, Sil PC. “Mechanism of the protective action of taurine in toxin and drug induced organ pathophysiology and diabetic complications: a review.” Food Funct. 2012;3(12):1251–1264. doi:10.1039/c2fo30117b
97. De Luca A, Pierno S, Camerino DC. “Taurine: the appeal of a safe amino acid for skeletal muscle disorders.” J Transl Med. 2015;13:243. doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0610-1
98. Jong CJ, Sandal P, Schaffer SW. “The role of taurine in mitochondria health: more than just an antioxidant.” Molecules. 2021;26(16):4913. doi:10.3390/molecules26164913
99. Schaffer SW, Jong CJ, Ramila KC, et al. “Physiological roles of taurine in heart and muscle.” J Biomed Sci. 2010;17 Suppl 1:S2. doi:10.1186/1423-0127-17-S1-S2
100. Lu SC. “S-Adenosylmethionine.” Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2000;32(4):391–395. doi:10.1016/s1357-2725(99)00139-9
101. Geller AM, Kotb MY, Jernigan HM Jr, et al. “Purification and properties of rat lens methionine adenosyltransferase.” Exp Eye Res. 1987;45(3):421–429. doi:10.1016/s0014-4835(87)80129-9
102. Proteopedia. “Methionine adenosyltransferase.” Updated November 14, 2023. https://proteopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Methionine_adenosyltransferase
103. Murray B, Antonyuk SV, Marina A, et al. “Crystallography captures catalytic steps in human methionine adenosyltransferase enzymes.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016;113(8):2104–2109. doi:10.1073/pnas.1510959113
104. Maguire ME, Bhattacharyya N. “Magnesium in biology.” In: Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins. New York: Springer; 2013.
105. Dhillon VS, Deo P, Thomas P, et al. “Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine and less sleep accelerates telomere attrition in healthy elderly Australian.” Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(2):982. doi:10.3390/ijms24020982
106. Dhillon VS, Deo P, Fenech M. “Low magnesium in conjunction with high homocysteine increases DNA damage in healthy middle aged Australians.” Eur J Nutr. 2024;63(7):2555–2565. doi:10.1007/s00394-024-03449-0
Beyond Negative Labs: Microclots, Spike Protein, and the McCairn-Edogawa Protocol
A Well Being Journal Editorial
The references below support the claims made throughout this article. They represent the peer-reviewed research underpinning the science of fibrinaloid microclots, the McCairn-Edogawa Protocol, and related work in post-viral and post-vaccine illness. Each citation links to its original publication for readers who wish to explore the underlying research.
For more information on the treatment program described, visit Dr. Kevin McCairn’s Substack at substack.com/@kevinwmccairnphd282302 or x.com/KevinMcCairnPhD
(Continued from Beyond Negative Labs: Microclots, Spike Protein, and the McCairn-Edogawa Protocol)
References
1. Joseph G, et al. “Persistence of Long COVID Symptoms Two Years After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.” Viruses. 2024;16(12):1955. doi:10.3390/v16121955.
2. Halma M, Varon J. “Breaking the silence: Recognizing post-vaccination syndrome.” Heliyon. 2025;11(11):e43478. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43478
3. Live broadcast on recovery from vaccine-related illness . X (formerly Twitter). Posted April 20, 2026. Accessed April 25, 2026. Available at: https://x.com/HouseLyndseyRN/status/2046396157752910046
4. Nyström S, Hammarström P. “Amyloidogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein.” Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2022;144(20):8945–8950. doi:10.1021/jacs.2c03925.
5. Westman H, Hammarström P, Nyström S. “SARS-CoV-2 spike protein amyloid fibrils impair fibrin formation and fibrinolysis.” Biochemistry. 2025;64(24):4818–4829. doi:10.1021/acs.biochem.5c00550
6. Kell DB, Laubscher GJ, Pretorius E. “A central role for amyloid fibrin microclots in Long COVID/PASC: origins and therapeutic implications.” Biochem J. 2022;479(4):537–559. doi:10.1042/BCJ20220016
7. Pretorius E, Venter C, Laubscher GJ, et al. “Prevalence of symptoms, comorbidities, fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in individuals with Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).” Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21(1):148. doi:10.1186/s12933-022-01579-5
8. Kruger A, Vlok M, Turner S, et al. “Proteomics of fibrin amyloid microclots in Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) shows many entrapped pro-inflammatory molecules that may also contribute to a failed fibrinolysis.” Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21(1):190. doi:10.1186/s12933-022-01623-4
9. Kell DB, Pretorius E. “Proteomic evidence for amyloidogenic cross-seeding in fibrinaloid microclots.” Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(19):10809. doi:10.3390/ijms251910809
10. Nunes JM, Kruger A, Proal A, Kell DB, Pretorius E. “The occurrence of hyperactivated platelets and fibrinaloid microclots in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).” Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15(8):931. doi:10.3390/ph15080931
11. Agishi T, et al. “Double filtration plasmapheresis.” Trans Am Soc Artif Intern Organs. 1980;26:406–411.
12. Fox T, Hunt BJ, Ariëns RAS, et al. “Plasmapheresis to remove amyloid fibrin(ogen) particles for treating the post-COVID-19 condition.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;7:CD015775. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD015775
13. Cooney E. “NIH documents show how $1.6 billion long Covid initiative has failed so far to meet its goals.” STAT. May 31, 2024. https://www.statnews.com/2024/05/31/long-covid-nih-recover-initiative-falls-short-on-causes-treatments/
14. Jaeger BR, Arron HE, Booyens RM, et al. “Long COVID patients successfully treated by means of heparin-mediated extracorporeal LDL precipitation (H.E.L.P.) apheresis: a case series.” Infect Dis Diagn Treat. 2023;7:216.
15. Pretorius E, Page MJ, Engelbrecht L, Ellis GC, Kell DB. “Substantial fibrin amyloidogenesis in type 2 diabetes assessed using amyloid-selective fluorescent stains.” Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2017;16(1):141. doi:10.1186/s12933-017-0624-5
16. Pretorius E, Bester J, Page MJ, Kell DB. “The potential of LPS-binding protein to reverse amyloid formation in plasma fibrin of individuals with Alzheimer-type dementia.” Front Aging Neurosci. 2018;10:257. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2018.00257
17. Pretorius E, Page MJ, Mbotwe S, Kell DB. “Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) can reverse the amyloid state of fibrin seen or induced in Parkinson’s disease.” PLoS One. 2018;13(3):e0192121. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0192121
18. Pretorius E, Akeredolu OO, Soma P, Kell DB. “Major involvement of bacterial components in rheumatoid arthritis and its accompanying oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and hypercoagulability.” Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2017;242(4):355–373. doi:10.1177/1535370216681549
19. de Waal GM, Engelbrecht L, Davis T, de Villiers WJS, Kell DB, Pretorius E. “Correlative light-electron microscopy detects lipopolysaccharide and its association with fibrin fibres in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):16798. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-35009-y
20. Bowden MT, McCairn KW. “Hail Mary for the Vaccine-Injured: Hope for Nurse Lyndsey in Japan with Kevin McCairn, PhD.” Dangerous Misinformation [Substack]. December 30, 2025. https://drbowden.substack.com/p/hail-mary-for-the-vaccine-injured. Accessed April 30, 2026.
21. National Institutes of Health. “Funding.” RECOVER COVID Initiative. Accessed May 2026. https://recovercovid.org/funding
22. Trager R. “NIH cancels grants through flagship long COVID initiative.” Chemical & Engineering News. July 30, 2025. https://cen.acs.org/policy/research-funding/NIH-cancels-RECOVER-grants-long/103/web/2025/03

