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On Sunday, March
20, 2000
Jacqueline Eberstein, R.N.
Senior Administrator of Clinical & Educational Services
at the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine
visited our chat
room and was kind enough to answer many of our questions. Below
are the transcripts from that chat. We hope that many of your
Atkins Diet related questions were answered. Thanks!!
NUTRITIONIST:
hi everyone
Question:
Dr. Atkin's book says to subtract fiber with no distinction.
Do we need to worry about what is soluble and what isn't and
how do we know the difference?
NUTRITIONIST:
Fiber is confusing. Fiber is so confusing that in May there will
be a meeting to try to standardize around the world it will include
if fiber is digested or not
Question:
So until that is done, should we NOT deduct fiber to be on the
safe side?
NUTRITIONIST:
For now you must watch ketones and if ketones go away it's not
ok
Question:
What causes stalls after weeks of losing if nothing has changed?
NUTRITIONIST:
Lots of things. Sometimes its medications like antibiotics It's
also normal to plateau If you are still in ketosis and losing
inches its ok You need to try exercise and look to see if you
have added too much i.e. nuts, salad, veggies too much cheese
or all of the above
Question:
How long a stall is normal, and when should we get concerned?
NUTRITIONIST:
Again, it can vary from person to person Pounds are not the best
reflection of weight loss, inches are. I recommend people weigh
themselves once a week and take measurements every two weeks.
Weight can go up and down due to water such as pre-menstrual,
salty food, humidity. When it is warmer we will retain more water
to protect us from the heat and we will weigh more Also certain
medications, hormones, birth control pills, diuretics, rebound
from diet pills, and psychotropic medications.
Question:
Does nutra sweet stall people, how about splenda?
NUTRITIONIST:
Occasionally yes. Remember that some sweeteners in powdered forms
including sweet and low contain carbo fillers, and some people
will be more sensitive to the amount in the sweetener and can
lose ketones more easily than others. Just like some people can
cheat and still lose and be in ketosis and others can't.
Question:
Why does cholesterol go up in some people and not in others.
I know Dr. Atkins says it might, but why in some and not all,
and what can be done about it?
NUTRITIONIST:
In some people cholesterol goes up temporarily. If they have
been on a low fat diet, and suddenly begin to eat fat, the body
does not know what to do with the fat. Or rebounding from getting
off of cholesterol lowering medications can cause a temporary
elevation of cholesterol. In addition, many people do not get
the full complement of blood tests done prior to starting the
diet. One should always measure cholesterol HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
There are times when the total cholesterol goes up but goes up
in HDL, the good cholesterol, lowering your risk for heart disease.
If the HDL was not measured in the first place, then you don't
know if it is worse or better. There are also circumstances where
people have high cholesterol because of slow thyroid function.
This can even occur with normal thyroid blood tests. Many of
the blood tests we use are not all that sensitive. At the Atkins
Center, we are beginning to use Free T3 T4 instead of regular
T3 T4 as a measure of thyroid. TSH and thyroid antibodies may
also need to be measured. If someone has a low thyroid, and they
diet, sometimes the body will slow down further in response to
dieting to maintain the status quo, and the cholesterol can go
up further
Question:
Vitamins: What are the minimum vitamins to be successful on this
program?
NUTRITIONIST:
Minimum vitamins are a good basic multi-vitamin/multi-mineral
as Dr. Atkins mentions. However, since most people that are significantly
overweight have had such a poor nutritional state for such a
long time, results would be better and risk factors could be
better addressed, and results probably accelerated, by using
more nutrients. Our goal is to keep people off of medications,
which can often make the metabolism worse. It would be best to
replace medications with nutrients whenever possible for common
conditions such as... high lipids, high blood pressure, arthritis,
and hormone disturbances, which are usually common problems in
overweight people. That is why Dr. Atkins wrote Vita-Nutrient
Solution - to assist people in designing a proper nutrient protocol.
Question:
How much potassium should the average person take a day?
NUTRITIONIST:
In the normal person one usually does not need to supplement
additional potassium unless
it is summertime, and you sweat excessively. Losing minerals
through sweating in that case, it will be essential to supplement
minerals, especially magnesium and potassium. If the diet is
working too quickly, some people, especially early on, will get
such a strong diuretic effect from the diet that they will need
to supplement minerals. If leg cramps occur, potassium, magnesium
and calcium may be needed and sometimes vitamin E before bedtime
will stop nighttime leg cramps. Most of our patients do not run
into this problem. I think it is because they are usually well
supplemented. Another time this may happen is if people are large
milk drinkers and they go on the diet which obviously does not
allow milk. They will need to supplement with additional calcium
because their calcium intake was so high due to their milk intake.
Question:
So for people with leg cramps....how much should they take of
potassium? Or should they just use Vitamin E?
NUTRITIONIST:
The amount of potassium available in health food store supplements
can safely be taken in addition. Sunflower seeds are a good source,
but be careful of the amount as there are 4 grams of carbohydrates
per ounce. Minimum vitamin E dose is usually 1 capsule 400 units
at bedtime. If the leg cramps occur at bedtime, the E should
be taken at bedtime
Question:
In Segment 2 we want to discuss Ketosis. Why can some people
be in ketosis and still show no weight loss?
NUTRITIONIST:
Ok, let's go back. First of all, I have seen people lose 100
pounds and never found ketones.
I have also seen people have dark sticks that cannot lose weight.
There are individual differences. I also suspect that there are
times when we do not have a sensitive enough measure for ketones
in some people. If you are losing either weight or inches, you
are fine. It also depends upon time of day. Remember that ketones
are a reflection of how much fat your body needs to burn for
energy. You are more likely to have darker ketones later in the
day because you have been more active...however I have seen some
patients have darker ketones when they wake in the morning. I
don't know why that is. Find your best time. Color on the sticks
will also vary when you are younger and have a better metabolism,
you are more likely to turn a darker purple. If you are doing
well with weight or inches, and cannot turn dark, so what! Also
remember that the older one gets the less muscle mass you will
have, If you are losing muscle mass, once you are in your 30's,
because you are a couch potato, you will have less muscle to
burn less fat. Medications such as antibiotic and others already
mentioned can effect ketosis. Premenstrual women can lose their
ketones even if they are being good. During the peri-menopausal
stage, hormone imbalances can also effect ketones and fluid balance
which will effect the scale. Yo-yo dieting effects the metabolism.
Diet pills even in the past can effect metabolism. So my advice
since you cannot change your bad habits in the past is to realize
this needs to be a PERMANENT LIFESTYLE CHANGE. It may take you
longer than you wish to accomplish your goal, but as I tell my
patients and myself, today is as young as your chemistry is going
to be. Take advantage of it now and just do it!
Question:
Does drinking lots of water affect the color of the sticks?
NUTRITIONIST:
Not really! The sticks are designed to measure a certain amount
of ketones. My experience is that the concentration of the urine
should not make much difference unless you are measuring at either
extreme. One problem however, which is especially true of women
I have found, is that they are chronically dehydrated. They are
afraid to drink water because they might gain a pound on the
scale. In the office we have a scale that measure percentage
of body fat. It also measures levels of hydration because hydration
effects the level, the measurement of the body fat. Women should
be 50-60% water, Men should be 60-70% water. My patients who
measure the lowest % of water, sometimes as low as 39% in women,
are the women having the hardest time losing weight. Remember
that water is necessary for the millions of chemical reactions
that make our bodies work. Including the ones related to our
metabolic rate. The more dehydrated we are, the less efficient
our bodies will work, and that certainly can effect our ability
to lose weight rule of thumb: 8 8oz glasses of water a day and
for those of us who exercise 8 oz before exercise 8 oz for every
20 minutes of exercise 8 oz at the end Even in the winter as
we can get just as dehydrated exercising in the cold as in the
hot, although we are less aware of dehydration in the winter.
And remember, that the more junk we add to water, the less healthy
it is for us...as in...diet soda.
Question:
Is it possible to drink too much water?
NUTRITIONIST:
I think it is pathologically possible, but I don't think anyone
doing the diet is in that position. I once read somewhere that
someone drank so much water they diluted the sodium content in
their blood. But that would be almost impossible to do under
normal circumstances.
Question:
Since nearly any food even with low carbs will cause a blood
sugar spike after eating it, is it worthwhile to test 15 min
after eating, or is it more appropriate to wait a few hours to
let the blood sugar normalize?
NUTRITIONIST:
Blood sugar spikes do not come from every food. Obviously proteins
and fats are least likely to cause blood sugar spikes. Although
if we are allergic to a food, including a protein or fat food,
the allergic reaction may effect our blood sugars. And some diabetics
will react allergically to a food by elevating blood sugar. When
testing a food, measure ketones 45 minutes to an hour after having
the food. However.. make sure you have emptied your bladder just
before having the food so the ketones already present in the
bladder do not interfere with the reading
Question:
Regarding Medications: Are there some SSRI's that are better
than others as far as not blocking weight loss? I.e., Paxil,
Prozac, Serzone, Luvox, etc.
NUTRITIONIST:
They all cause trouble. The older ones especially such as lithium,
tricyclic, elevil, triavil and thorazine and many of the older
drugs can be worse.
Question:
What can a person who is on Prednisone do to enhance this program?
NUTRITIONIST:
Prednisone slows the program. However, if you don't do the program,
Prednisone accelerates weight gain. So do the program and expect
that results will be slower. You may have to be stricter. Prednisone
also, because it is a hormone, can increase yeast activity in
the body. You may require a yeast restriction in addition to
the diet to assist in weight loss. People may be on Prednisone
for many different reasons. There are alternatives that may help
you either lower your dose or get off of it completely. Refer
to Dr. Atkins book, Vita-Nutrient Solution, for alternatives
to assist you and your doctor in attempting to use less medications.
Question:
If Birth Control pills can interfere with weight loss, what is
the best form of birth control to use?
NUTRITIONIST:
All medications, whether by mouth or by injection, that suppress
ovulation can slow the diet. Refer to the mechanical methods..IUD,
sponge , condom, etc.
Question:
Are there any carb blockers on the market that work?
NUTRITIONIST:
We do not recommend the use of carb blockers. Remember that carbohydrate
digestion and some absorption BEGINS IN THE MOUTH.
Question:
Regarding eating fat or lean meats: does it matter how much fat
we eat? Will one be better than the other?
NUTRITIONIST:
One should include the healthy fats in the diet. Fat adds satiety
value, and helps to stabilize blood sugar, and fats are essential
for healthy metabolism. Fats help make cholesterol, which is
essential for the brain, to make your hormones, to insulate your
nerves, to maintain proper cell membranes and to do many other
things. Fat makes the diet easier to follow and should be included.
Low fat, over time, increases hunger, has a negative effect on
the fat burning process, and if low enough long enough can even
cause some women to lose their periods due to the inability to
make enough hormones. Normal amounts of fats should be included
in the diet.
Question:
Is there a rule of thumb about how much fat we should include
in our program?
NUTRITIONIST:
No..it depends on each person. I don't think you should try to
cut fat. I don't think under normal circumstances one should
push huge amounts of fats. Personally, I use the same amount
of mayonnaise one would find included in the salad made in a
restaurant. I use a little extra olive oil on salad because I
like oil. I will use a combo of butter and olive oil when I sautee
because I like the flavor. If you are using too little fat, you
may be more hungry. Find the amount that works for you. However....I
once had a patient many years ago who had dark dark ketones but
was gaining weight. After extensive questioning I finally discovered
that after dinner every evening she would have one stick of butter
sprinkled with cinnamon. This is inappropriate. Remember that
our goal for you is for this to be a lifestyle change and many
overweight people obsessively eat for many of the wrong reasons.
Part of our goal is not just to change your diet, but to have
you examine the habits that no longer serve you.
Question:
The touchy topic of the Atkins Bars: Do they have more carbs
than actually listed on the label?
NUTRITIONIST:
The story on the bars.... Recent labeling laws have changed how
the bars may be labeled. They still contain 2.4 to 3 grams of
carbohydrate that will effect the diet Any additional grams do
not effect the diet. People can abuse the bars, the same way
they can abuse any other food. I limit the bars to one a day
at the beginning. It can be a meal replacement or in addition
to a meal. I do not allow my patients to replace more than one
meal a day. This is also a good time to mention that the metabolism
will slow if you do not eat regularly. If mealtime comes along
and you are not that hungry don't skip! Just have a small snack.
Question:
Some people report loss of ketosis after eating one bar, why
is that?
NUTRITIONIST:
Some people may be particularly sensitive to the amount of carbs
in the bars the same as they might be to increasing any other
carb or they might have an allergy to one of the ingredients.
Remember that food sensitivities may be a problem. One of the
ways we test products in the office is we have a machine that
you can blow into to measure ketones in the breath..and it gives
you a digital reading.
I can test our food products with myself before and after to
see how it effects ketones.
Question:
Can people who have Type II diabetes eat the bars?
NUTRITIONIST:
Yes, one a day.
Question:
How can Diet Rite Soda w/Splenda, which has no caffeine, no sodium,
no aspartame , no calories, change the sticks from 60 to 15 after
drinking just 6 ounces? Can Citric Acid do this? No problem was
found with Diet Dr. Pepper which has aspartame and caffeine but
no citric acid.
NUTRITIONIST:
Again..that may be an individual difference. My experience is
that citric acid should not cause that problem. But I will always
tell a person to go by their individual experience. You never
know if you may have an individual reaction to something that
may effect you in that way.
Question:
How much protein should we be eating on induction, and after
induction? Is there a rule of thumb?
NUTRITIONIST:
Protein is unlimited. Protein should be used especially on induction
as the majority of your intake. Eat as much protein as you need
to be comfortable and satisfied. Just because protein is unlimited
however is not a reason to gorge. I had a patient the other day
who eats 6 pounds a day simply because it is unlimited. This
is inappropriate and is an inappropriate use of food. Remember
that many people use food to try to deal with emotion. Food cannot
fix an emotional state.
Question:
If we use the "1/2 goal weight in grams of protein"
is that appropriate as a guide?
NUTRITIONIST:
That may work for some people, but again we want to give people
the flexibility to have as much as they need to feel comfortable
and satisfied. There are certain circumstances such as pre-menstrual
when more fat and protein than usual may be needed to satisfy
a craving. Remember that it is fat that will decrease cravings.
Question:
Will wild fluctuations in the amount of carbs eaten in a day
help or hurt? ( I.e., 10 one day, 30 the next, and 20 the next,
etc.)
NUTRITIONIST:
In certain people who have a borderline metabolism fluctuating
levels especially on the higher side may certainly decrease your
ketones. Therefore, for people having difficulty in losing weight,
it is better to stay on a more even level. Remember that the
better the ketones the lower the hunger and cravings.
Question:
Our last segment covers other illnesses and conditions: How does
this WOE affect fibromyalgia, and is there anything that can
be done to help people with this condition?
NUTRITIONIST:
Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition. You need to examine yeast
and food sensitivity as a contributing factor. The diet stabilizes
blood sugar. When the blood sugar is more stable, the body is
less stressed
and less allergically reactive. Therefore, fibromyalgia may improve.
There are also lots of other issues to look at with fibromyalgia
and I would recommend a reference to Dr. Atkins Vita-Nutrient
Solution.
Question:
For people with low thyroid function, are there supplements they
should take and how will synthroid affect weight loss?
NUTRITIONIST:
Synthroid is the most commonly used thyroid medication. However,
it is a synthetic form of T4, which is the stored form of thyroid
hormone. We find many of our overweight patients cannot convert
enough of the T4 to T3 which is the active form of thyroid. Therefore,
their blood tests are normal, yet they may have many symptoms
of low thyroid. We often switch them to a combination T3, T4.
These drugs are still available though not as popular
Question:
Some people report hair loss during this WOE, what causes that
and is there something that can be done to prevent it and/or
encourage re-growth?
NUTRITIONIST:
Hair loss can occur if weight loss is rapid. Or, if, as I mentioned
before, someone already has borderline thyroid function, and
by going on the diet, this diet or any diet, the thyroid slows
further. Again, there are some nutrients that can be of assistance
and I would recommend Vita Nutrient Solution. Also the mention
Dr. Atkins makes in DANDR for taking temps and evaluating thyroid.
Nutrients such as calcium, biotin and cysteine can help.
Question:
Does a person's blood type make a difference regarding weight
loss?
NUTRITIONIST:
There are some people who believe that blood type is an indication
of what diet may work best for them. I have read the book and
Dr. Atkins and I have discussed it. Unofficially, we have certainly
found that there is a consistency with people that are Type O
doing better on low carb. As we do not use a vegetarian diet
in the office, I can't comment on other blood types
Question:
Why does it seem that the less you have to lose the harder it
is?
NUTRITIONIST:
I have the same experience. It is always harder because you have
less fat mass when you are closer to
your goal. That is why some of us think we need to get our weight
lower than we actually do. I always ask patients at the start
what is their weight in size not pounds. Because there is so
much inch loss with this diet you may actually be able to get
into your goal size and not need to get as low on the scale.
In addition, if you are not exercising, start!
Question:
There are numerous people who have gone off Atkins and then later
come back on. The second time around seems to be harder, why
is that, and what can they do to have a better loss?
NUTRITIONIST:
Sometimes I think it is harder because they have become re-addicted
to the carb foods. Getting off carb foods can be harder each
time you have to do it. Also, everytime you go back up, your
set points can change and the metabolism can get slower.
Question:
I'd like to open up this forum to questions from the audience.
Question:
Does tobacco effect the diet?
NUTRITIONIST:
YES! It increases insulin resistance, and can increase yeast
activity. We recommend dealing with your weight, then exercise,
and then cigarettes. Exercise helps you give up cigarettes. In
addition, when the blood sugar is more stable, as when you cut
carbs, you will crave less cigarettes.
Question:
I read an article that recommended stacking if your not losing.
What's your opinion?
NUTRITIONIST:
Stacking..... We do not use caffeine and those things to stimulate
the metabolism. We will use chromium, L'Carnitine, Omega 3 and
Omega 6 fatty acids and several other supplements as referred
to in Vita Nutrient solutions to assist in metabolic resistance.
Question:
Yes, You mentioned set points...I have heard doctors talk about
this before...is it true that you tend to plateau at places where
you spent a lot of time...for instance...if you were 210 when
you started the diet and easily lose 30 pounds...but stall at
180 - is it a coincidence that you weighed 180 for 2-3 years
in the past? I have had this happen 2 times now and both times
I weighed that # for a long time. My neighbor lost over 100 lbs.
and did this also....
NUTRITIONIST:
People will plateau on the way down in places where they had
a set point as they were gaining weight. That is why yo-yoing
can set your setpoint higher.
Question:
Any carb blockers that actually work?
NUTRITIONIST:
No carb blockers.
Question:
Is there any truth in the concept of carbing up to break a stall?
NUTRITIONIST:
Occasionally we have recommended a reversal diet where, for a
couple days, one adds carbs to the diet and then returns to induction.
However... there is always the risk that your cravings will become
out of control. You may really not be in a stall if you are losing
inches and you may just need to be patient.
Question:
How long should one be stalled before considering such a move?
NUTRITIONIST:
At least a month. Plus if you are not exercising you need to
start exercising!
Question:
What about the effects of HRT on low carb? I am on Estratest
for menopause and having a difficult time losing. I have lost
inches slowly, but only 10 pounds in 4 months and not lost either
pounds or inches since late December. What could be some other
factors affecting my sllooowww rate of loss? I found your reference
to hormones maybe increasing yeast activity in the body interesting...could
this be a factor? And does yeast production interfere with weight
loss?
NUTRITIONIST:
All hormones, including the standard hormone replacement therapy,
can really cause problems.
And yes, hormones can increase yeast activity/ I recommend you
refer to DANDR where Dr. Atkins discusses yeast symptoms.
Question:
If you do smoke, can you lose weight, and if you can't, how can
you make the weight a priority? I have about 100 to lose, when
should I think about quitting smoking? I do notice a drastic
decrease in stress and tension, which will help.
NUTRITIONIST:
Get on the diet first. Deal with smoking later. If you have yeast
related symptoms, you will need to add a yeast restriction to
help in weight loss, especially while smoking. Do whatever exercise
level you are able to do, and realize you may need to stay on
a stricter level longer. And perhaps consider adding some of
the nutrients to assist in weight loss. And remember this is
a life long process of losing and maintaining your weight. There
will be some bumps in the road and just include them in the process.
Question:
Are there any long-term studies of people using high proteins
for let's say 30 years? What are the health consequences?
NUTRITIONIST:
Good question. First of all, I have been on some level of the
Atkins Diet for 26 years, and I am still here! And also remember
that there are varying levels to this diet, and that most people
are able to have a maintenance diet that is more liberal than
induction allowing you to include other foods and have less proteins.
Question:
I lost 25 lbs. last year on the diet, then, while staying basically
on the diet I started drinking sodas and eating chocolate again.
Gained 20 lbs. back in about 3 months. Now I am having the problem
mentioned above of a much slower weight loss. Any thing I can
do differently to start losing again? Right now I have been on
induction for 2 months and have lost 6 lbs. - last year I lost
that much in the first 2 weeks. I just started (this week) taking
Dieter's Advantage, Basic #3, Essential Oils & CQ10
NUTRITIONIST:
What did you think would happen if you started eating chocolate
again? Do you exercise? Refer to the yeast chapter to see if
you have developed any yeast symptoms. All the sugar in the chocolate
can stimulate yeast activity. Also check out DANDR regarding
metabolic resistance.
Question:
What is the best way to modify this diet for pregnant women?
I am not yet pregnant, but will be trying soon. I don't want
to get addicted to sugar/flours again, but I want a safe pregnancy.
NUTRITIONIST:
Remember that the health of your pregnancy is dependent upon
your health in the months prior to getting pregnant. If you are
overweight now, get your weight down before getting pregnant.
Then when you discover you are pregnant, increase the level of
your diet to include liberal salad and vegetables
to control your weight gain to a healthy level. Your diet then
should contains foods that are nutrient dense and not empty of
nutritional value such as sugar and refined flour.
Question:
If I've confirmed big time yeast activity, is it OK to take carylic
acid and should I take anything else to rid myself of the yeast
overgrowth?
NUTRITIONIST:
To deal with yeast one must do a yeast restricted diet to re-balance
the bacterial environment in the bowel. Perhaps use yeast killers
such as Caprylic Acid. I cannot treat you so I refer you to Vita
Nutrient Solution.
Question:
Is this diet safe for children?
NUTRITIONIST:
We use the diet in children. It must be used under supervision,
as children's nutritional needs will vary.
One of our doctors has written a book on using the diet in children,
called "Feed Your Children Well", and is available
on the Atkins Website. One more note about children - there is
an epidemic of obesity and diabetes in our children. It is essential
that we pay attention to the sugar, juice and refined
carbs that children are being fed. Remember, if you are a parent,
your children will pay more attention to what they see you do,
not what you tell them is healthy
Question:
Percentage wise, how many people actually have to be lower than
20 carbs to start or to lose and find their CCL? Does everyone
start at 0 at the clinic?
NUTRITIONIST:
We start people at 20 to 25 grams. Rarely do we go any lower
and only under special circumstances.
However, there are some people who's lifetime diet, for a variety
of reasons, may not be much above that level.
Question:
Is it safe to stay in ketosis for long periods of time? I've
been on the diet for over six months.
NUTRITIONIST:
As long as you have fat to lose, and you feel well, it is ok
to be in ketosis.
Question:
Any tips just starting out?
NUTRITIONIST:
First few days you can suffer withdrawal symptoms..headache,
fatigue, etc. It should last between 3 to 4 days/ Make sure that
you are eating regularly and clean out your house of all the
junk.
Question:
For those of us not on estrogen replacement at this time, what
can we expect in, say, 10-15 years when it becomes necessary
to take these types of medications?
NUTRITIONIST:
First of all, there are many women that cannot use estrogen replacement
therapy. I myself will not use estrogen replacement therapy and
have just gone through menopause. There are many alternative
using natural remedies and natural compounded hormones that can
be designed based on your informational blood levels. There are
also nutrients that relieve symptoms of menopause. Again, protocols
in Vita Nutrient Solution.
Question:
I am still wondering about the water issue - I am SO thirsty
- drinking sometimes more than 200 oz per day - is this still
okay? and I have never been dark purple...but you said water
did not affect ketones?
NUTRITIONIST
Are you losing inches?
I haven't measured
:-( but lost about 12 pounds...
Then you are fine - measure every
2 weeks
I'm not flushing
nutrients?
You will flush what your body
cannot utilize but your body will absorb what it needs. Taking
nutrients only one time a day is not appropriate - they should
be divided up through the day.
Question:
I need to know if is true that you gain more lbs. than what you
lost when you stop the diet..?
NUTRITIONIST:
That is certainly possible... depending on what diet you go back
to. Not any more than going off any other program. But if one
returns to the diet that made them fat, they will get fat again.
Question:
I lost 30 lbs. the first 2.5 months on diet - have 20 more to
go - but doc put me on ZIAC and ATACAND for blood pressure -
I have stopped losing weight and inches for three months - I
have not gained and
followed induction - what do you suggest - I am 38 years old?
I was going to try to reduce calories as well as low carb. I
am content with my size, but would like to lose the last 20.
NUTRITIONIST:
Certainly those meds can have an effect on loss. Depending on
how your BP was, you might, with your doctor's help, be able
to get on a nutrient program to control BP, and with supervision,
get tapered off the drugs.
Question:
I have been stalled for 7 months.. how do I restart weight loss
again? I am still 25 lbs. away from my goal weight, which is
NOT an unrealistic goal of 125lbs. on a 5'5" frame. I have
tried all of the suggested ways in the book to try to recharge....
but nothing has worked as of yet. my meds have not changed (estrogen,
feldene, and flexeril) loss was very good for the first 4 months,
then nothing ie: inches or lbs. yes I do exercise and yes I do
smoke. 44 years old... 182/142/125 4-1-99 stalled since 8-99
I realize we covered stalls, but feel 7 months is worth a question
LOL I have almost never been in ketosis, even when I did lose
the initial weight.
NUTRITIONIST:
The estrogen is beginning to slow you down because you are getting
closer to goal. As are the anti-inflammatories. That is probably
why you never got into ketosis earlier on in the diet. What size
do you wear?
12-14
What is your size goal?
8-10
Refer to Vita Nutrient Solution
to the nutrients that stimulate fat burning..that could help
you through this.
Question:
Yes, I currently take 10mg Accupril for Blood Pressure and have
found I need to supplement my potassium due to my BP increasing,
have you heard of Matol and is it a good supplement? It contains
about 750mg of K per 30 ml. Also are there any other affects
from taking Accupril and this WOE?
NUTRITIONIST:
No..don't know what Matol is Accupril may or may not slow loss.
Question:
You mentioned when you begin or increase exercise, you need to
increase food. Do you mean food in general, or carbs?
NUTRITIONIST:
When significantly increasing exercise, if you notice some fatigue,
increase the amount of salad or veggies. This should only be
necessary if doing significant amount of exercise.
Question:
If I am taking beta-carotene 25,000 IU with the Basic 3, is this
too much?
NUTRITIONIST:
Beta C in that dose will only be converted to vitamin A as needed.
I take this amount everyday
Question:
I have been on the diet for exactly one week and I have lost
7 lbs. I weighed 154 last Sunday and now I weigh 147 (I'm 5'3",
27yrs old). Am I losing weight too fast (not that I am complaining)?
Thanks! :o)
NUTRITIONIST:
Good for you! Only if you don't feel right, otherwise that is
good. Often times what will happen is the second week may be
somewhat slower on the scale. If you feel good on the diet, you
are doing fine.
And you should feel good!!! If you don't, you are doing something
wrong.
Question:
Can we have aspartame?
NUTRITIONIST:
Prefer not to have aspartame - it can slow you down and isn't
good for the brain.
Question:
Does Atkin's cholesterol pills really help lower your cholesterol?
Mine doubled after starting this diet at the beginning of January
(and yes I had the full blood tests done before and it's not
the good cholesterol that went up) and I just want to find a
way to help it go back down. My doctor, who put me on this diet,
wasn't real happy.
NUTRITIONIST:
Lots of nutrients will lower cholesterol, including cholesterol
formula. Refer to Vita Nutrient Solution and get bloods redone
in 5 weeks - get thyroid checked too.
Question:
Yes, does Tamoxifen affect weight loss? How much Chromium do
you recommend a day? And what type?
NUTRITIONIST:
Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker and has hormonal effects,. and
can have the same effect....slow down weight loss as other hormones
I can't give you a definite dose. Refer to Vita Nutrient Solution
or DANDR.
Question:
Why should a person have her thyroid checked when she asked about
cholesterol? I'm confused.
NUTRITIONIST:
High cholesterol can be a sign of low thyroid.
Question:
I have water gain problems with PM for several days, drink alot,
but don't expel. This causes my kidneys to ache. Is there a natural
diuretic that I can use to help me with this situation, or must
I use a prescription medication? I have used a prescription and
had good results, but would like to find an alternative.
NUTRITIONIST:
There are several nutrients that can decrease not only symptoms
of PMS but water gain also.
Refer to Vita Nutrient Solution for list.
Question:
I was told that you get alot of energy from this diet but it
seems that by early afternoon I am totally tired and have no
energy at all. I haven't been taking vitamins. It just started
in the last week. I have been
on the diet for 5 weeks and have lost 12 pounds
NUTRITIONIST:
Do you skip meals?
no
Probably need a multi-vitamin,
mineral and some B complex. If you eat only small amount at breakfast
and lunch, may need to increase quantities. Did you use to do
a lot of caffeine before diet?
yes
Are you still on caffeine?
cut down to one
cup of coffee
Caffeine gives you a false sense
of energy and your true fatigue is now present. Refer to the
vitamins as above.
Sorry, everyone,
we just have run out of time. Thank you Jackie for coming in
here today and helping us get answers to these questions!
NUTRITIONIST:
I enjoyed this I will try to drop by unofficially during the
evenings
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