Day6 and Potassium

[Outback Jess]

Hey all,
It's day six for me. I am still working with the headaches. Only got in 83 oz of water yesterday, but I am so proud to say I rode my real bike outside, instead of the stationary bike inside. Considering I am in Atlanta and we have all been in a heat wave with hi humidity I think that was a great accomplishment.

3 yrs ago when I was really becoming a student of the whole Low Carb way of eating, I read all of Atkins books and I read Protein Power. I found Protein Power complimented Atkins and often gave a better or clearer understanding of the "whys" to some of the principals of Atkins. Their eating plan is a bit different in that they allow fruits and more veggies early on.
they discuss suppliments too. Some where between the two books I found that taking extra potassium really helps with energy due to all the water we are drinking. In the heat of summer a few yrs ago, I took it in some form and it totally helped with headaches and energy for me. I was exercising heavily, and found it a significant help.
Today, I can't find my copy of Protein Power, to referernce potassium and I did not find any specific link to it in DANDR.
Does anyone have any understanding about potassium?
Jess

[DragonflyMoon]

Re: Day6 and Potassium

Hi Jess ~

Way to go getting outside and riding the bike today! Especially in the heat you are experiencing. Fortunately, we haven't had much of that here in WA, but i think it is supposed to get warmer this week.

I am really interested in learning more about taking Potassium. I think that would be a good thing for me to do. So if anyone has any info... please chime in!

Thanks!!!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Day6 and Potassium

I know I have read that with all the extra water we are drinking, and I don't know about you, but the water is a huge challenge for me....I have been averaging between 80-100 oz a day and that is a real accompishment. But, due to all the water intake and output we are flushing things out of our system like potassium, that's what I THINK I read 3 yrs ago. I remember buying and taking potassium and it helped tremendously, I just can't remember how liberally I used this supp...it's probably in the Protein Power book that has so many excellent points that really compliment and add to Atkins. They have you deal with food a little differently, and I am Atkins all the way, but I really enjoyed the "read"...
Biking outside was really a challenge, the heat is nothing new down here really. I do better on the indoor bike, my daughter loves the outdoor bike...

[kkat55]

Re: Day6 and Potassium

Have you ever read Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution book? It talks about potassium and a whole lot more.

There's even a forum dedicated to it. Click here: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...splay.php?f=44

[pstansel]

Re: Day6 and Potassium

Yep, check out the forum. Essentially if you're getting muscle cramps you likely want to add potassium and magnesium supplements, as well as your multi vitamin. But there's a lot of other stuff you can take as well. I admit I'm now a vitamin junky. I've got a big order arriving on Friday to fill out all the places I was deficient.

[boonie stomper]

Re: Day6 and Potassium

Sipping warm salty broths through a straw can make it easier on you the first few days of induction than chugging only plain water. That way you won't become dehydrated due to lost electrolytes (your body won't retain enough water). You can read some info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

During the transition period between when your body is operating on carbs (including reserve glycogen in the liver last of all), you system can become out of balance with all the changes going on. That's when many people give in to cravings, and feel weak and flu-like, and get headaches.

You can get potassium and other electrolyte supplements but I've found that chicken or beef bouillion with a pinch or 2 of epsom salts (fully dissolved) works well. Sometimes I also use aquarium salt to get all the trace minerals.