Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

[Tailgun]

I spent most of last evening, several hours in fact, scouring the Internet trying to get a definitive word on what type of supplements I should use after restarting Atkins for the third time. The first time I went on the diet I lost 26 pounds in five weeks. Last year, I attempted Induction again, and after nine days lost only about two or three pounds. Apparently I had screwed some things up including drinking Atkins shakes during the initial period.

So now I'm redoubling my efforts and have just secured all the food I need for my first month low-carbing. But the one thing I want to do this time around, that I didn't do either of the first two occasions, is to use the proper supplements. I have Dr. Atkins's Vita-Nutrient Solution (1999 edition), and am trying to use it as a guideline.

But there were some things not too popularly known back then, including Hoodia and green tea. I'm just not sure what I should and should not bother taking, and I'm not at all sure which supplements will have all the ingredients necessary for success.

I've been on the Puritans Pride website and adding things to the cart that I thought I should have:

CO Q-10 100 mg. Softgels.
DHEA 25 mg. Tablets.
ESSENTIAL OILS Softgels
FIBER FORCE-6 Capsules.
L-CARNITINE 500 mg. Tablets.

Does this look, right? I know I need a multivitamin, but are there any out there that include as much of Dr. Atkins's important nutrients as possible in one bottle? I was so exhausted by three o'clock in the morning that my head was practically hitting the keyboard of the laptop. Any help is much appreciated.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

I take GNC's ultra mega vitamins (which includes calcium)
Fish oil
Flax oil
Evening Primrose oil
L-carnitine
L-taurine
Potassium & Magnesium
Biotin
Chromium Picolinate
L-Glutamine
Probiotics
Oil of Oregano

[biogeek]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

Tailgun, I love Atkins' Vitanutrient book as well. One thing you should be aware of when adding new supplements is this: add new ones slowly into your regimen. That way, you can keep track of how you feel, what changes (if any) have occurred, if a particular supplement causes nausea or other GI issues, etc. Also, if you switch brands, you can see if that makes a difference as well.

In addititon to a good multivitamin, one should also take flax seed oil and/or fish oil (depending on your budget), and a good vitamin B complex. Give that a go for a month or two and keep a journal on the above supplements. When it becomes habit for you to take supplements and you feel that they are working for you, by all means, try other ones. What you want to avoid is spending a lot of money on supplements and then not take them.

I currently would not add hoodia or green tea supplements to you regimen. Reputible studies have shown that they do not fulfill the promise they claim, mostly because manufacturers put too little of the active ingredient in their tablets for any noticeable effects to be felt or seen.

Everyone is different in how supplements affect them. For me, taking Co-Q10 and DHEA was a waste of money in my mind b/c after taking them for a good 6 months, I couldn't tell that they did anything. My mom, on the other hand, believes that DHEA does something for her, although she is elusive on describing said benefits.

If you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[Tailgun]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

Finally got everything sorted out as best I can figure based on what everyone on different forums has been telling me.

From Vitacost, I got:

NSI Complete EFA

NSI NutriSlim Low Carb Dieter's Basic Multi-Vitamin (This one had substantial doses of what everyone was talking about, including chromium, Ester-C and B complex.)

From Puritan's Pride:

Calcium/Magnesium/Potassium tablets (Two tablets contain 500 mg Calcium, 500 mg Magnesium and 99 mg Potassium)

CO Q-10 100 mg

L-CARNITINE 500 mg

DHEA 25 mg (a friend swears by this stuff)

As a bonus, I decided to pick up a copy of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, (Revised Edition) from thriftbooks.com for just 4 bucks!

A big day for me! Thanks for the advice!

[biogeek]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

What a great deal on DANDR! Good luck with your supplements.

[mimom48183]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

I have been reading and I am still confused. I am going to buy supplements today (I have been stalled for almost 2.5 weeks now) and really need some help. I was planning on buying chromium picolinate, L-Carnitine and Lysine. I had read somewhere that these three will help with losing weight again.

[biogeek]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

It can help, but it's not a magic "pill" by any means! You still must eat correctly and exercise. These supplements do help a lot of people while other folks can't really tell. It's hard to really say because who knows how "clean" someone's diet is or how much or how hard they really are exercising. It's worth trying....keep a journal and see what happens.

[superturnip]

Re: Restarting Atkins - Desperately Need Supplement Advice

[quote=Tailgun;734528]Finally got everything sorted out as best I can figure based on what everyone on different forums has been telling me.

From Vitacost, I got:

NSI Complete EFA

NSI NutriSlim Low Carb Dieter's Basic Multi-Vitamin (This one had substantial doses of what everyone was talking about, including chromium, Ester-C and B complex.)

Thanks for the info - I am a second timer and was at a loss with out my atkins vitamins. I just ordered the two NSI products you mentioned and will report any improvements in results.