What nutritional supplements should I be taking?

[Elleth Faewen]

Nutritional Supplements -- Don't even think of getting along without them. Chapter 23 in the DANDR.....read it and take what the good doctor suggests for your needs.

Dr. Atkins stresses......not just stocking up on the correct foods, but also the correct nutritional supplements.

As you start induction these are the nutritional supplements you should be taking:

1.) A broad complete vitamin/mineral supplement that contains considerably more then the recommended daily intake (RDI) of B complex factors and vitamin C, and that also contain at least 30 other nutritions (and no iron). Ideally, chromium picolinate or polynicotinate
(between 200 and 600 mcg) should be included.

2.) Essential fatty acids (EFA). EFA -deficiency may be the most prevalant dietary shortage in our culture, thanks to the misguided obsession with avoiding dietary fat and the overconsumption of trans fats instead of healthy natural fats. An EFA supplement should include gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) - primarily found in primrose or borage oil - and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, flaxseed oil. You can, of course, eat salmon and other cold water fish.

3.) If you have sugar cravings, you should also take 500 mg of L-glutamine (one or two tablets) prior to each meal. L-glutamine has been proven to curb alcohol addiction as well. If you previously ate lots of carbs, this will help to ease the transition to controlled carb eating.

It is Dr. Atkins three legged stool!!!!!

1st leg Follow the plan as written
2nd leg EXERCISE
3rd leg Supplements

If one is missing the stool will not stand!!!!!

Several additional vitamins/supplements have been used by the members on the board. Here are some of their thoughts:

I have read the Vitanutrient Solutions book and also the Age-Defying Diet book, which contains quite a bit about vitanutrients.

I've built my daily vitamin regimen around what these two books recommend. I don't know the impact of the vitanutrients alone since I started this WOE simultaneous with the vitamins. But I haven't been sick, have more energy than I've had in 20 years, I exercise 5 days a week and feel better than I ever thought possible.

Dr. Atkins was a genius.

Betty

Supplements!!! So critical for this way of life. The success of the diet is contingent on insuring you get all of the supplements daily.
We woman have a more radical monthly cycle of hormone fluctuation which men don't have and that complicates estimating the amount of minerals we should be taking.

Just prior to our menses our CALCIUM takes a dive which results in the leg cramps. Potassium levels are also impacted by the hormone fluctuation. I always take extra calcium - potassium and magnesium when I even get a hint of leg cramps. I know my body needs it.

Calcium and Magnesium also are great sleep aids for women going through menopause. I take my minerals at night to help me sleep.

Caroline

Again.......I highly recommend reading chapter 23 and also the book Dr. Atkins wrote "Vita-Nutrients". It's very informative!!!

As for specific vitamins/minerals etc. Do a "seach" on this site as there are numerous posts on these subjects. Also see the following link Vitamins, Supplements & Nutrition Information