Am I taking too many supplements?

[elsy]

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I've been on Atkins for quite a while now on and off but I've never really taken as many supplements as I am now. Can anyone tell me if this is o.k.? Could this possibly affect my health in some way or stall my weight loss? I'm still losing steadily, but wondering if it will catch up to me? Thanks.

Flaxseed Oil w/Omega 3
Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc
L-Carnitine
Potassium Gluconate
Mulit Prenatal

[biogeek]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

Hi Elsy!

The list of supplements you're taking is just fine, assuming you're not taking too much of them--otherwise, the only affect on your health is a positive one.

As far as any of them causing a stall, just check the ingredient list to see if there are any sugars/starch in them. If your prenatal ones contain sugar, as an example, it may have 1 or 2 grams of carbs in it per tablet. Since you're not in induction anymore & you exercise like a mad fiend, you can probably handle these few grams of carbs & keep them in mind as you plan your menu.

As an aside, you may also wish to take a B-complex in addition to your multivitamin. They are so good for you!

[elsy]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

Hi there biogeek. I knew an expert like you would come around with an answer. Thank you so much. O.k., what a relief! Oh, I do take B-12 occassionally. My husband hogs it all so I gotta remeber to through his stash of vitamins and steal one of those from him. I should just go out and get a bottle for me. Daaaa..

I wonder what other essential vitamin I'm lacking? Hmm..

[biogeek]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

LOL I don't know about expert, but I do consider myself somewhat knowledgeable.

When you're adding new supplements, it's normally best to do it one new supplement at a time for about a month so that you can really see what side-effects (if any) you may have and also to see what changes have occurred. Some nutrients take a short amount of time before you see positive changes, while others take months, if at all. Everyone is different, so that's why keeping a journal and jotting down how you feel is important so that you can spot trends.

[elsy]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

Thanks Biogeek. Are some of the side effects for supplements headaches and maybe stomach aches?

[biogeek]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

Elsy, I can't think of any that would cause headaches as a common side-effect, but everyone is different. However, there are several that may cause stomach aches and nausea...the culprits for that are iron supplements, zinc, vit c, and several others.

Hope that helps!

[elsy]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

Ok. that explains it. When I started taking prenatal vitamins again that's when I started getting headaches. Oh, but it's getting much better. Thanks Bio. Yes, that really does help. Have a good one.

[biogeek]

Re: Am I taking too many supplements?

Glad to be of service! Don't hesitate to ask other questions, should they arise.