Dry Powder Dosing
The Zero-Water Standard
Section titled “The Zero-Water Standard”The goal of Functional Dry Fasting is simple: magnesium in, water out (if possible).
Zero external water is the standard. Every milliliter you can avoid is a milliliter closer to a true dry fast.
This article explains how to achieve maximum magnesium intake with minimum or zero fluid.
Why Delivery Method Matters
Section titled “Why Delivery Method Matters”During a traditional dry fast, purists argue that any water intake “breaks” the fast. This is dogma over physiology—but the principle of minimizing external fluid remains valid.
The hierarchy of purity:
- Zero external water (dry powder with saliva only)
- Minimal water (~5ml per dose)
- Moderate water (50-100ml per dose)
Your goal: Get as close to #1 as you can tolerate.
Method 1: Dry Powder (The Gold Standard)
Section titled “Method 1: Dry Powder (The Gold Standard)”What It Is
Section titled “What It Is”Pour magnesium citrate powder directly onto your tongue and swallow using only saliva.
How to Do It
Section titled “How to Do It”- Measure your dose (typically 400mg = ~1 teaspoon of powder)
- Tilt head back slightly
- Pour powder onto back of tongue
- Swallow immediately with a hard swallow
- Work saliva to clear any residue
- Zero external water — Maximum purity
- Fast absorption — Powder dissolves quickly in stomach
- Complete control over dose amounts
- Highly acidic taste — Citrate is sour
- Risk of choking if powder clumps
- Esophageal irritation if not swallowed smoothly
- Difficult for most people — Takes practice
Tips for Success
Section titled “Tips for Success”- Practice before the fast — Get comfortable with the sensation
- Small amounts — Better to do 2-3 small swallows than one large one
- Immediate swallow — Don’t let powder sit on tongue
- Have backup — If you can’t get it down, capsules are acceptable
Method 2: Dry-Swallowed Capsules
Section titled “Method 2: Dry-Swallowed Capsules”What It Is
Section titled “What It Is”Swallow magnesium citrate capsules using only saliva—no water.
How to Do It
Section titled “How to Do It”- Generate saliva — Think of food, work your jaw
- Place capsule on back of tongue
- Collect saliva in mouth
- Swallow hard with chin tilted down (counterintuitive but helps)
- Follow with additional saliva swallow
- No external water
- No taste — Capsule shell protects from citrate sourness
- Easy dosing — Capsules are pre-measured (typically 400mg)
- Requires adequate saliva — Challenging if very dehydrated
- Capsule may stick — Uncomfortable if it adheres to throat
- Slower dissolution — Capsule must dissolve in stomach first
Tips for Success
Section titled “Tips for Success”- Gelatin capsules dissolve faster than vegetarian (HPMC) capsules
- Avoid lying down immediately after — capsule needs to reach stomach
- If capsule sticks — Small sip of water is acceptable; zero is goal, not religion
Method 3: Minimal Water Capsules
Section titled “Method 3: Minimal Water Capsules”When to Use
Section titled “When to Use”If dry swallowing consistently fails, minimal water is acceptable:
- Severe dehydration by day 5+
- Esophageal sensitivity
- Inability to generate adequate saliva
How to Do It
Section titled “How to Do It”- Take ~5ml water — A small sip, not a gulp
- Place capsule in mouth
- Swallow with water
- Done — That’s 5ml, roughly 1 teaspoon
The Math
Section titled “The Math”| Factor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water per dose | ~5ml |
| Doses per day | 1-4 (responsive dosing) |
| Max daily water | ~20ml |
| Water from fat oxidation | ~110-150ml/day |
| Ratio | External water = 13-18% of endogenous |
This is metabolically negligible. You’re still in a profound dry fast.
Method Comparison
Section titled “Method Comparison”| Method | Water Required | Difficulty | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry powder | 0ml | High | Experienced fasters |
| Dry capsule | 0ml | Medium | Most fasters |
| Minimal water capsule | ~5ml | Low | Those who struggle with above |
| Powder in water | 50-100ml | Very Low | Last resort only |
Practical Tips for All Methods
Section titled “Practical Tips for All Methods”Timing
Section titled “Timing”When to dose:
- When metrics indicate (YELLOW/RED zone)
- Not on a fixed schedule
- Morning doses may be easier (more saliva available)
Preparation
Section titled “Preparation”Before the fast:
- Source quality magnesium citrate (powder or capsules)
- Practice your chosen delivery method
- Have backup method available
During the Fast
Section titled “During the Fast”If struggling with any method:
- Try different method from hierarchy
- Split large doses into smaller amounts
- Accept minimal water if needed
- Remember: Magnesium is the goal, water zero is the aspiration
What About Other Delivery Methods?
Section titled “What About Other Delivery Methods?”Sublingual
Section titled “Sublingual”Some advocate dissolving magnesium under the tongue.
Problems:
- Citrate is acidic (burns mucosa)
- Slow absorption through oral tissue
- Not practical for meaningful doses
Verdict: Not recommended.
Topical (Magnesium Oil)
Section titled “Topical (Magnesium Oil)”Magnesium chloride applied to skin.
Problems:
- Absorption is poor and variable
- Can’t achieve therapeutic doses
- Doesn’t provide citrate buffering
Verdict: Not a substitute for oral supplementation.
Injection
Section titled “Injection”Intramuscular or intravenous magnesium.
Problems:
- Requires medical supervision
- Overkill for prevention
- Not practical for self-administration
Verdict: Reserved for medical emergencies, not routine fasting.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting””Powder makes me gag”
Section titled “”Powder makes me gag””- Try smaller amounts
- Place further back on tongue
- Swallow faster
- Switch to capsules
”Capsules stick to my throat”
Section titled “”Capsules stick to my throat””- Generate more saliva first
- Tilt chin DOWN when swallowing (opens esophagus)
- Take tiny sip of water (5ml) if needed
- Try gelatin capsules (dissolve if stuck)
“I can’t swallow anything without water”
Section titled ““I can’t swallow anything without water””- 5ml water is acceptable
- You’re still in profound dry fast
- Don’t let perfect be enemy of good
- The magnesium matters more than the water absence
”The sourness is unbearable”
Section titled “”The sourness is unbearable””- Powder: Swallow faster before taste registers
- Capsules: Problem solved (no taste)
- Don’t hold in mouth longer than necessary
Key Takeaways
Section titled “Key Takeaways”- Zero water is the goal, but magnesium is the priority
- Dry powder is purest but hardest to execute
- Dry-swallowed capsules are practical for most fasters
- ~5ml water per dose is metabolically negligible if needed
- Practice before the fast to master your preferred method
The Bottom Line
Section titled “The Bottom Line”Don’t let water obsession prevent you from getting the magnesium your body needs.
The hierarchy of priorities:
- Take the magnesium (most important)
- Use least water possible (important)
- Achieve zero water (ideal but not essential)
A functional dry fast with magnesium and 20ml water is infinitely better than a traditional dry fast with zero water and metabolic collapse.
Get the magnesium in. Minimize the water. Don’t worship either.
For the complete supplementation protocol, see The Death of the Acidosis Crisis.
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