Pottasium

[Tina N]

Hello ,
Did anyone ever experiance low pottasium on the 14 day induction????

[Desertthorn]

Lots of folks complain about leg cramps. Is that what your having?

[Tina N]

No i did atkins for a month a few weeks back I wanted to do it again I had to get blood work for other reason and it came back low potassiium I want to do it again and will Just got retested for my pottasium it was 3.3 a lil low could be from taking water pills also was curious I had a few people that tried to blame it on atkins . But on atkins I did get a few leg cramps nothing unusual though

[not2late]

Some diuretics (water pills) can cause you to lose potassium. What did your doctor say about it?

Leg cramps that some folks get during Induction might be due more to the diuretic effect of ketosis---you lose too much water and the electrolytes travel with that extra water. However, if I don't think the leg cramping is due to that alone. All foods contain potassium. Some foods contain more than others, but all foods contain it. If you eat a variety of foods on your Atkins and you take your supplements, your level should be okay.

However, since you are taking a diuretic, you really ought to go by whatever your doctor tells you to do.

[Desertthorn]

Actually like iron, having low potassium levels is better than having high levels which can cause heart palapitations, etc.....Make sure that you eat your veggies, particularly dark green veggies like spinach and broccoli and dark leaf lettuce and after induction, I would start up the OWLadder to at least more veggies (Rung 1) and up to the nut rung as nuts are also a good source.

[2big4mysize]

I had low pottassium during my extended induction and based on my blood tests my doc told me to take OTC potassium pills when I got into OWl the blood work said I had normal potassium and didn't need it.

since it is hard to get a good amount of potassium from the induction veggie lists you can become low with all the fluid we drink.

if your doc told you you needed potassium then take it. every nerve in the body needs potassium to work

[Tina N]

Thanks everyone ,
I am on a pill now till my 2nd bloodwork comes back 3.5 to 5.5 is normal mine was 3.3 the 1st time but I put myslef on a water pill also and I also have a water pill in my blood pressure pill so I prob did it to myself I now DO NOT take the xtrra water pill thanks again for info

[2big4mysize]

did you know eating the higher level of protein in the Atkins plan 30% vs the USDA 10% you get a natural diuretic effect too?

[Tina N]

Thanks for the info i took another blood test it was normal , so im starting atkins again tommorow! yay

[2big4mysize]

good for you. remember as you move to OLW you will be adding back foods rich in potsissum as you climb the ladder so keep your doc informed cause too much potassium can stop even an healthy heart.