Another Vitamin Question!

[Divadevilsmom]

Alright, I know that the vitamin and supplements issue had more than likely been overdone. But, I am going to go there again! I take "Country Life's Daily Total One Iron Free Daily Dietary Supplement". It is from a local health food store and is a very high quality. The actual multivitamin isn't what I have a question about though.

I would like to know how some of you decide what extras to throw in there. I see that some take omega's, and then one person mention upping the vit D because winter was coming. Forgive me, but why just because winter is coming? I am also curious to know the advantages and disadvantages of adding something like CLA. I was in GNC the other day and the saleslady was really pushing a product with CLA saying that it was the best seller and guarantees super fast weightloss....you know, blah blah blah! I just don't know how it would benefit the program as the program already works as is.

Anyway, any help or suggestions? How do I figure out what other types of supplements should be added to my daily multi?

Thanks in advance!

[not2late]

Re: Another Vitamin Question!

Alright, I know that the vitamin and supplements issue had more than likely been overdone. But, I am going to go there again! I take "Country Life's Daily Total One Iron Free Daily Dietary Supplement". It is from a local health food store and is a very high quality. The actual multivitamin isn't what I have a question about though.

in the book, Dr. Atkins has the breakdown of the Atkins vitamin that is no longer produced. Make a copy of it and bring it with you, so you can compare the Atkins vitamin to whatever one you buy.

I would like to know how some of you decide what extras to throw in there. I see that some take omega's, and then one person mention upping the vit D because winter was coming. Forgive me, but why just because winter is coming? I am also curious to know the advantages and disadvantages of adding something like CLA. I was in GNC the other day and the saleslady was really pushing a product with CLA saying that it was the best seller and guarantees super fast weightloss....you know, blah blah blah! I just don't know how it would benefit the program as the program already works as is.

Anyway, any help or suggestions? How do I figure out what other types of supplements should be added to my daily multi?

Thanks in advance!

In the book, Dr. Atkins discusses Nutritional Supplements in Chapter 23. It's very thorough.

As for Vitamin D, it's the new darling of the vitamin world. There are plenty of on-line sites about it for you to make an informed decision about using it.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Another Vitamin Question!

I have used CLA for most of my Atkins journey, and find that it really helps. Our meat used to be a good source of CLA, but that is only from livestock that is grass-fed. We are deficient because almost none of the meat in stores comes from pastured, grass-fed livestock and poultry.

Vitamin D is another nutrient that has suffered from industrial farming and skin doctors making us afraid of getting any sun. The sun-block makers have gotten rich and we suffer from all sorts of maladies as a result. Here is some info on vitamin D.

VITAMIN D - THE WINTER DEFICIENCY:

A Link To Osteoporosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer, Allergies, Autoimmune Conditions, & Depression
by Laura Power, MS, PhD, LDN
© November, 2005

Did you know that if you live in Washington DC that you cannot make vitamin D from sunlight 6 months out of the year? From October through March! New research shows that many people in northern latitudes are deficient in Vitamin D, because sunlight is insufficient during the winters to stimulate the production of vitamin D in skin. These deficiencies have been linked to higher rates
of certain cancers, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, skin diseases, and mood disorders. The good news is that this is an easy and inexpensive deficiency to correct. The National Cancer Institute has sponsored major research on vitamin D. And in 2004 the National Institutes of Health held a conference on vitamin D, and this is what they found.

Researchers have discovered that tropical diets have 10 times as much vitamin A and D as northern diets and that many tropical people are healthier and do not suffer from the “northern diseases” listed above. This means that you can make simple inexpensive changes to your diet, supplements and lifestyle that could prevent major diseases.

MAJOR RISK FACTORS
Are you at risk for vitamin D deficiency? Do you avoid sunshine? [You need sun exposure daily in the summer between 11 am and 3 pm – without sunscreen or windows for 15 – 20 minutes.] Do you wear a strong sun-block? Do you avoid dairy products? Do you have a low fat diet? Do you avoid seafood? Are you pregnant or nursing? Do you use corticosteroids (oral, inhalers, or creams)? Do you have very dark skin? [If so, you may need 6 times as much sun exposure during the summer, and extra vitamin D during the winter.] Do you live in a very cloudy, foggy, or polluted climate? Or above 30 degrees latitude? All these can increase your risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D levels have fallen in many populations around the world, particularly northern climates. “In northern California 80% of clients tested during winter months demonstrate vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.”(1) This is primarily due to changes in diet and lifestyle. Few people spend the day outdoors anymore, and most who do wear sun screen. Furthermore, the traditional
daily dose of cod liver oil went out of fashion 60 years ago (although it is now making a resurgence). As a result vitamin D deficiency diseases have been on the rise again.

HOW VITAMIN “D” WORKS
We get our vitamin D from both sun exposure and certain foods. Sunlight at certain wavelengths stimulates our skin to make vitamin D out of cholesterol. But the angle of the sun during winter above 30 degrees latitude is simply insufficient to make vitamin D. Vitamin D is also in certain foods, including fish oils and dairy products. Vitamin D in its metabolized form is actually a hormone. It works in the skin, kidneys, muscles, heart, and in 30 different cell types.

Vitamin D has 3 major functions. (1) It helps us absorb, transport and metabolize essential minerals, particularly: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, which perform vital functions for bones and enzymes. (2) Vitamin D promotes proper cell development and differentiation. For example: it can convert stem cells into bone cells. (3) And it helps regulate the immune system
(thus preventing cancers).

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?
Children need between 400 units and 800 units / day of vitamin D, depending on their age and size. Teens and adults need about 1000 units/day. Those over the age of 50 need about 2000 units/day.

DEFICIENCY DISEASES
Do you have any of these symptoms or diseases? Vitamin D deficiency has now been shown to relate to the following diseases: Adrenal insufficiency, allergies, Alzheimer’s Disease, autoimmune disorders (including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis), cancers (of the colon, breast,skin, and prostate), dental problems (misaligned teeth and cavities), diabetes (Types 1 + 2),
increased fractures in the elderly, gluten intolerance, heart disease, hypertension, infertility, learning disorders, lectin intolerance (a type of allergen), myopia, obesity, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Parkinson’s Disease, PMS, psoriasis, rickets, seasonal depression (SAD), sexual dysfunction, and Syndrome X (insulin resistance). Let’s look at some of these in more
detail.

SNIP

DIABETES
Vitamin D deficiency has been related to diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder, which destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. Vitamin D has been effective in down-regulating many autoimmune disorders. Type 2 diabetes involves low insulin levels. This is frequently related to zinc deficiency, since zinc is part of the insulin molecule. And zinc is
dependent on vitamin D. Insulin resistance is different. This involves both high insulin and high glucose. This problem is at the receptor site, and often involves deficiencies of 5 different trace minerals, 5 B vitamins, and alpha lipoic acid.

snip

Read the whole article here:
http://www.laurapower.com/page24.html

[Divadevilsmom]

Re: Another Vitamin Question!

WOW! Thanks so much for that info! I tried doing a little research myself and came upon an article about CLA being naturally in certain foods or meats and how it has become ruined due to the way farmers are mass producing and fattening their livestock nowdays.

I went today and picked up a B-complex 100, Natural Vitamin D, CLA (1000 mg softgels), and an Omega 3-6-9 complex to add to my daily multi. Wish me luck in feeling energetic and healthier the rest of the way thru! LOL!!

And thanks so much, again!

[liv]

Re: Another Vitamin Question!

Good luck with those.
Let us know how they make you feel.