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Atrsy

Sun, Jul-21-02, 15:15

Wow! I just watched a TV show that was the best thing I've heard since Atkins!

I just had to tell you. The man was Bob Barefoot and he was talking about calcium. He basically said that calcium can cure anything that is wrong with you and can actually cure cancer.

He said that when a body gets too much acid, it is the acid that causes diseases and calcium is needed to neutralize the acids.

Acid in the bowels causes food not to be digested properly because of the fact that it kills good bacteria. This causes consipation and other intestinal problems.

Acid in the ateries causes tiny holes and rough spots where the cholesterol will stick and cause hardening of the arteries and that in turn causes small cracks which again gather cholesterol. So, calcium neutralizes acid in the blood and won't cause those problems.

He said calcium will stop muscle and joint pain. He said that DNA is meant to rebuild things that are damaged in your body and that it must be bathed in calcium in order to work.

He suggests taking 3 calcium tablets a day. Not to use dairy as a calcium source because of the lactic acids in the dairy.

Very interesting. I will begin calcium and see if I feel better. Maybe I can live to 120 like he said humans should if they take care of themselves.

AngelaR

Sun, Jul-21-02, 17:05

Originally posted by Atrsy
Maybe I can live to 120 like he said humans should if they take care of themselves.

Interesting!

Wouldn't 120 be a blast?!! Let's see
First 20 years - growing up and goofing off
Next 40 years - working
Next 60 years - retired, growing up and goofing off again.

Now there's a plan!

DebPenny

Sun, Jul-21-02, 18:16

That sounds to me like one more point for Tums too. And I just found sugar-free Tums. I know most of us stop having problems with reflux when low-carbing, but I am still having problems and it's probably because I have a hiatal (sp?) hernia. Things just keep gurgling up :eek:. But now with sugar-free Tums, I don't have to worry about needing to take it, especially since it's the only antacid that seems to help (that and Zantac at night).

Thanks, Atrsy!

;-Deb

tamarian

Sun, Jul-21-02, 18:39

Who's Bob Barefoot?

Wa'il

Kristine

Sun, Jul-21-02, 19:01

This guy sounds like a total quack. He runs an MLM company selling Okinawan calcium. He credits Okinawan longevity and total absence of cancer (wrong- there's plenty of cancer there) to their magical coral calcium. He's a chemist, but obviously knows nothing about how the human body works. If he did, he'd know that you *can't* change your blood pH. If you did, you'd die. Your body keeps it within a very narrow range. Food and suppliments can't change it, unless you massively overdosed. He throws around the word "acidosis" totally out of context: if you have acidosis, you're having a life-threatening metabolic emergency.

If it sounds too good to be true ...

dizzyd

Sun, Jul-21-02, 20:02

Isn't it true as well that too much calcium can lead to things like gall stones, or kidney stones, or some kind of stones? :rolleyes:

My mom was taking TUMS for calcium years ago, and she developed a stone. Not fun.

And if what Kristine says is true:
He runs an MLM company selling Okinawan calcium
then we know why he's saying that it can cure cancer, huh?

What a shame... I'd love to live to be well over a hundred. Just think of things we would see!!!

Atrsy

Sun, Jul-21-02, 20:19

You've got the right guy, Kristine. He did write two books and does sell his coral calcium, but he said any calcium would work, it's just that his is better because it contains sea micro organisms that actually aid in the digestive process. He really didn't press his product like most infomercials.

I can see where the presence of too much acid can cause alot of problems. If it is killing the good bacteria in the intestines, it can cause the candida yeast. They are very strict on those diets about anything containing acid. Also, as Deb pointed out, it does help with acid reflux to take calcium.

Too much calcium can cause stones, but with the amount of water we drink, I think that probability is small.

For me it's worth a try. I've been to other doctors who I thought were quacks, but I tried their methods at a pretty penny! I even had a doctor draw a pt of blood from me, send it through an ultraviolet light and oxygenate it and replace it into my veins. He did this two x a week for 6 weeks. It was to help me with my pain. I was really in bad shape at the time and I would have tried anything to make me feel better.

I don't think a few calcium tablets a day could be that harmful and I will try it. I'd love to be able to walk normally and not be in pain.

After all, we follow Dr. Atkins when the rest of the world thinks he's a quack. It has taken him 30 years for people to begin to see he may be right. I do think the drug companies rule the government and their studies. As this Bob Barefoot said, there is no money in mother nature's remedies--you can't patent calcium or Vitamin C.

Lisa N

Sun, Jul-21-02, 20:55

Atrsy...

I paid a visit to Bob's website and while he may have said any calcium would do on the infomercial, his website says quite the opposite. Only HIS calcium supplement will cure all those ills according to the website (it seems all other calcium supplements are too poorly absorbed, while his is 100% absorbed in 20 minutes, no less). Quite honeslty, I'm skeptical of anyone who claims that only their product can help you. A calcium supplement is never a bad idea, especially for women, but I wouldn't get my hopes up too much on it being the cure for all evil diseases.

Raquel

Sat, Jul-27-02, 01:50

Ok, I've been "studying" nutrition for over 20 years and I think I've read everything there is about calcium also b/c I started taking it when I was 30 (I'm 49 now).

First, everything Atrsy said is TRUE. Perhaps the pH of blood doesn't change much but like everything else it can be out of IDEAL balance and, therefore, cause problems, if it didn't change there would be no need to measure it during a regular blood test. And in any case, acidity can happen at tissue level. More alkalinity in the body is better for health, a fact that is well established by ALL complimentary (or alternative) medicine practitioners. I even remember when I was little my mother bought this big book about diseases that had at the end basic nutrition and it pointed out which foods were acidic or alkaline and there is proof that excess acid in the body will cause a lot of diseases. But the key here is to maintain BALANCE.

Attn. DebPenny:

Contrary to the publicity to that effect, TUMS is NOT good as a calcium supplement, in fact it's the worst type b/c calc. carbonate is POORLY ABSORBED b/c it neutralizes stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) which is essential for calcium to dissolve in the first place, so it really defeats the purpose. It's not even wise to take it for indigestion, the acid is there for a reason (ie. digest animal proteins), you'd be better off taking enzymes which you can get at a healthfood store, or even Papaya Enzyme (you can get S/F). I was taking c/c because it was cheap forgetting all I'd read in the past and last year when I had my first bone density test found out to my desmay that I have osteopenia (precursor to osteoporosis). I also read in a nutrition book about a lady who ate Tums like candy and had a severe case of osteoporosis, so heed my advice and GET RID OF IT.

Among the inexpensive forms of calcium, citrate is better but there are other forms like aspartate, asporotate and gluconate which are even better (but cost more).

dizzyd:

For its proper utilization, calcium needs the right amounts of magnesium, vit. D and C, (among others...) otherwise the calcium can bind with other substances and cause kidney stones, calcium deposits on soft tissue and "tartar" on the teeth. Even when a person is not taking enough calc. if those nutrients are lacking whatever there is will not be used.

And last but not least, I read about a study that proved eating enough calcium aids weight loss. I once heard at a meeting I attended that minerals were the real health builders and vitamins are sort of like the helpers. Calcium happens to be the most abundant mineral in the human body.

DebPenny

Sat, Jul-27-02, 12:45

Raquel, I know that! I was just kidding, but looking back it didn't sound that way. ;)

But I am currently using TUMS for my hiatal hernia problem that has been flaring up :(. I figured out why that's happening and it will be going away again soon, then I can stop taking the TUMS again.

BTW: What are the "right" amounts of magnesium, zinc, et al, that need to be taken with calcium? I am currently taking a cal/mag/zinc supplement and a high-potency multivitamin.

;-Deb

lilwannabe

Sat, Jul-27-02, 14:23

I would be interested in the correct amounts too...I take a cal/mag with vitamin D...Each Caplet contains...Vitamin D=100 IU Calcium=350 mg, and Magnesium (mag oxide)=175 mg. Is this okay?

Raquel

Sun, Jul-28-02, 16:23

The usual amount for a woman is 1200 mg. calcium and half of that of magnesium (but my dr. recommended 1500 for me, menopausal women need more anyway). Watch out for magnesium oxide (unless you suffer from constipation) because it will make you run to the B/R.

Although the MDR of vit. D is 400 I.U. it's really too little. Most nutritionist recommend 1000 mg/day. IMO the best way to get it, for those of us who are not too finicky (I still don't like the taste, mind you!), is in cod liver oil, I buy a flavored one and keep it in the fridge and a have either 2 tsps. or 1 Tsbp. a day. The added benefit is that CLO contains vit. A and the goodness of Omega 3. If the liquid is "out of the question" they sell it in capsules, just take as many as will make approx. the 1000 mg. Vit. C should be 500 mg./day or more if one's under stress or takes any medication (it gets used up in the detoxification of any substances in the body).

Let me tell you that I was very disappointed about the calcium carbonate myself because I too had bought the S/F Tums (or Walgreens equivalent, can't remember) and thought I was killing 2 birds with one stone, ha! Another reason for me not to have them is b/c of the aspartame in it. I loved my aspartame and for years didn't even want to hear that it could be bad for me... until I got sick and decided to avoid everything that could hinder my recovery! These days I use it occasionally, usually with a protein food to offset the bad "chemistry".

DebPenny

Sun, Jul-28-02, 18:33

Thanks for the info, Raquel.

BTW: The sugar-free TUMS I bought recently uses sorbitol instead of aspartame.

;-Deb

Raquel

Sun, Jul-28-02, 22:47

YW. And, good, sorbitol is better.

Atrsy

Sun, Jul-28-02, 23:02

Thanks for your support of my thread, Raquel. What the man was saying made alot of sense to me. That's how I felt when I read Atkin's book back in 1972--it made sense.

I don't usually follow everything I read, but if calcium can help prevent or cure disease, why wouldn't I want to try it?

I am so glad you posted the information that you did. The calcium I am taking, Caltrate 600=D, is calcium carbonate. I am almost finished with this bottle so I will look for the ones you suggest. At age 58, I don't want to cause osteoporosis if I don't have it. So far, I'm in pretty good health.

Thanks again,

Carol

I'm not sure I could take cod liver oil! Ughhhhhhh

Raquel

Sun, Jul-28-02, 23:14

Hey, facts were on your side! I'm here both to learn more and to pass along what I've learned (as well as finding support...), it's sometimes the only contribution I feel I'm making to the "world". I'm just SO glad you're not sore about the PB... lol!

And you had me fooled, I saw the pic you have posted and thought you were a lot younger (and that's why you didn't "worry" about it, lol...) Is that a recent pic? You have a very pretty face...

gary

Mon, Jul-29-02, 09:00

Is calcium needed, yes. Does this guy say some good things yes. Does he say some bad things, yes. Does he say some very bad things, yes! :thdown: When he said you can take his coral sea calcium and walk out in the bright sun and you will not get skin cancer was when i knew without a doubt this guy is not just a quack but criminally insane! :mad: I knew this guy was off base in the first few minutes. Please everyone don't get your science only from TV. There are many shysters like this guy trying to sell you all the magic solutions to living longer. He said on TV only his coral sea calcium works because it has microorganisms that come with the coral. Dr. Atkins diet caused controversy but at least you can show results in two weeks with many people. I doubt anyone will feel any different taking his calcium or any calcium supplement other than placebo effects. Extraordinary Claims need extraordinary Proof. Please enjoy your fear of getting kidney stones! If you live to 120 then I guess he is right! :D

Atrsy

Mon, Jul-29-02, 09:29

Gary, I can agree with you about going into the sun, but I still think he had some very good points. I'm not going to rush out and buy his products, but I will take more calcium.

You said you doubt that we could see any difference from taking calcium, but I beg to differ with you. You will see a big difference almost immediatly if you suffer from leg cramps, and I can tell you that in the week that I've been taking it, my BP had dropped to 124/52. Now I think that shows more than just a placebo effect!

Why do I want to wait 20 years for something to show up that could have been prevented by calcium. Do I want to wait 20 years to get heart disease from eating low fat? I don't think so!

I'll take the calcium and take my chances.

And yes, Raquel, it is a current picture. Taken last summer. Thank you for the compiment.

Carol

gary

Mon, Jul-29-02, 09:58

Actually I tried to say that we need calcium. I should reword my one statement to say I doubt you will feel any difference between his coral sea calcium and other calcium supplements. If you have the money why don't you take everything every doctor says on TV because you are afraid that in twenty years those doctors may be right. Many hucksters like this guy provide information that is correct along with bogus information and that is how they fool you!. This guy made too many exceptional claims! Why do you even fool with the Atkins diet? I saw a Doctor on TV selling Chromium. You don't have to diet or excersise. Just take his special formulated high dose of Chromium and you will dramatically lose weight!

Hey it is your choice - Go for it! :D

I would pay more attention to posts by Kristine, Lisa N, and dizzyd. :spin:

lilwannabe

Mon, Jul-29-02, 11:46

THANKYOU ATRSY, AND RAQUEL.

In my humble opinion...I think it is great that I am more informed now than I was before this thread was posted, and I feel like I have learned something! It is people like you that keep this board building... :D

Raquel

Mon, Jul-29-02, 23:10

While I did not watch the infomercial and agree with the point that coral calcium is probably not better (BTW, his brand is not the only one in the market, I've seen several at healthfood stores), calcium IS extremely important for health and it's not just to keep little old ladies from breaking their hips either.

I wish to kindly refer you to pages 116-119 of "Dr. Atkin's Vita-Nutrient Solution", since you respect him. I also would like to invite you to find a copy of Adelle Davis "Let's Eat Right to Keep Fit", written many years ago, which is full of medical study references that back up some of the "claims" that you find hard to believe. Miracle? No, but amazing, quite probably. Does this man exaggerate? Well, isn't that the American way to sell anything on TV? At least Carol came here for an opinion, don't "chastise" her as if she had spent her money without thinking! Besides "we" women prefer to prevent while you guys scorn everything until it's too late.

gary

Tue, Jul-30-02, 09:34

I kicked off my first post with "Is calcium needed, Yes" So I agree with you that calcium does many good things. The Huckster and shyster labels are leveled at the claims that this guys coral sea calcium can cure cancer, cure arthritis, prevent skin cancer and block electromagnetic waves from cell phones. This is terrible news not awesome news. Can't you realize the damage this guy does! The false hopes he raises in cancer patients? The people crippled with arthritis? If there is so much truth to what he says why don't we rush to tell everybody. Maybe my friends Dad should take this sea coral calcium and it will make the lung cancer disappear! Just because Doctor Barefoot said so on TV! Melanoma that spreads is a death sentence. It does not respond to Chemotherapy or Radiation. So just take this calcium and you will be cured! Concern about how much calcium to take is important especially with women (not that it is not important in men).

Everyone should be skeptical of miracle cure claims and the motivations of a Doctor selling wares in an infomercial.

Look at the fiasco with shark cartilidge and vitamin C. Linus Pauling said large doses of Vitamin C would prevent cancer and he died from cancer. Most research is inconclusive about how much Vitamin C is really needed. Ground up shark cartilidge was thought to prevent and cure cancer. This was based on one flawed study and the assumption that sharks do not get cancer so now millions of sharks are slaughtered to feed this bogus frenzy and guess what, sharks do get cancer!

It is extremely difficult to get good information from all the hype in the supplement industry.

You are right in that men do not typically do what is necessary to protect themselves. Now please reference scientific studies that support your statement that everything Atrsy said is true. Please cover that calcium cures cancer, arthritus, prevents skin cancer, and cures anything that is wrong with you! Welcome to LA LA land in nutrition! :daze:

Raquel

Tue, Jul-30-02, 17:32

I thought she had said "prevent" not cure and because I easily forget I went back and read her first post, and you're right. I know nothing at this point that "cures" cancer. And like I said, I didn't see the infomercial.

Atrsy

Tue, Jul-30-02, 19:31

OK, let's all agree that Bob Barefoot's calcium probably doesn't "cure" cancer. We all know that somewhere out there there is something that does, it just hasn't been discovered yet.

Let's also understand that I didn't rush out and plop down my money for his books or products! I'm not that stupid. But I do listen for the parts that make sense to me. I wouldn't spend 2 hours a day with my face exposed to the sun if someone paid me.

But I have bought lots of items through demos at fairs, etc and found them to be excellent products. I bought those Ginsu knives over 30 years ago and they are still as sharp as the day I bought them and I can cut a groove in a hammer head and then slice a tomato with the knife. I use them to saw wood and they stay sharp. I believed that demo and it was true. There are other items that I also found to be great. I do keep an open mind. I use my own judgement, and I have not too often been wrong.

I liked most of what this man was saying and therefore I will take the calcium to prevent future problems. I come from a family of 7 children and so far 3 have died of cancer and one other has had surgery for cancer. Heart disease also runs in my family. If there is even a slight chance that calcium will prevent these problems for me, I will take it. That is not to say that I won't get something else.

Because I read and follow "quacks" like Atkins, I have managed to stay the healthiest of all my siblings. I also look much younger than my actual years. You, Greg, do not approach life with an open mind. You seem to think that ideas must be backed up by studies and proof before they should be accepted. Where do you think they get that proof?

Raquel, I just came from the drug store where I looked at the cod liver oil. I didn't buy it because the lable listed Vitamin C and D and Magnesium (I think) but it only listed that it contained calcium but not the amount. Is there a difference in brands? How do you know how much calcium there is in cod liver oil if it's not listed?

I will also try to find the other types of calcium you listed. Are the oyster shell pills good? I plan to do some shopping for this sometime this week.

Thanks,

Carol

PS: Greg, as for false hope for cancer patients, isn't false hope better than no hope? They need a reason to keep living, even though the odds are against them.

Raquel

Tue, Jul-30-02, 22:51

Dr. Atkins himself recommends calc. hydroxyapatite and calc. citrate as the most absorbable. I've also read that the lactate and gluconate forms are very good but might require greater amounts. I take citrate (in liquid form mixed with magnesium & vit. D - but I still take the CLO) because it's cheaper. I've also taken a combination that was mostly gluconate called CalMac (similar to the CalMax advertised on another infommercial) that I found at a healthfood store for $16.00. It's a powder that you first have to dissolve in hot water, then mix into a beverage or tea if you like; they also have a lemon-lime flavored one.

The cod liver oil you found appears to have been "fortified" to enhance its effect, if they don't list the calc. amount is b/c it's only a trace and probably not enough to influence your total. CLO only contains vits. A & D and,of course,"EFA's" (essential fatty acids).

GNC usually sells an inexpensive, decent tasting one and you can get the 2nd bottle at half price. I'm now using Walgreen's brand with cherry flavor added. Healthfood stores also have emulsified ones that come in different flavors. Stores like K-Mart, Walmart and most supermarkets also carry CLO capsules, so keep looking at the labels and you'll find one to suit you.

Again, I agree with your view of trying something if it makes sense to you. The saying "Nothing ventured nothing gained" exists for a reason, right? And in this imperfect world sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Like you, I'd rather hold on to a false hope (as long as it doesn't keep me from the real one, if it exists!) than no hope at all because our state of mind is very powerful when it comes to healing. You and I, Carol, just don't seem to have a problem taking a risk every now and then. I know I've been wrong a few times but I also know I've been so glad I've "ventured" more times than not :)

gary

Wed, Jul-31-02, 09:32

The main problem I have is with this guys exceptional claims. I think there is something wrong with somebody making money on people who are desparate when there is no as in zero data to support this guys claims. Again did I say calcium is needed yes. I do not put Dr. Atkins in the same class of Quacks as this Dr. Barefoot. Dr. Atkins doesn't say his diet can CURE cancer! When you say CURE for cancer or arthritis you are stepping into fraudulent grounds. We do not know with certainty that something out there cures cancer. We can say that maybe something does and can hope that something does. I do look at things with an open mind but was also trained as a scientist. Yes I do demand evidence to support EXCEPTIONAL claims. If you do a simple search on yahoo you will also see evidence that calcium supplements can harm your health. It is not easy to determine how much each person needs. If we accept everything that is hawked on TV you risk taking something truly harmfull too. It is fine to have hope for cures. Maybe I don't remember this right but I believe that they found smokers who took beta carotenoid supplements - the supplements accelerated their cancer and they discontinued the trial. St. John's Wort has now been shown to interact negatively with certain drugs. There is way too much hype in the supplement market, too few good studies and data, very little regulation, you can not even trust what you are getting(how much of the active ingredient and fillers) - go ahead try anything to satisfy your hopes ! :exclm:

Iguana978

Fri, Aug-02-02, 14:54

Oh, Lord, does that ever bring back memories! My father used to take a spoonful of cod liver oil a day- one day I tried one and it was so heinous I burst out laughing! Not only that, but you practically have to boil your tongue to get rid of the taste. I'd do the capsules, unless (like Tom Sawyers' Aunt Polly) you figure that the worse it tastes, the better it must work! It really is a very beneficial supplement, though, all kidding aside.

Iguana978

Fri, Aug-02-02, 15:01

Raquel

Fri, Aug-02-02, 15:43

How was your dad's health BTW? When I was little my mother used to give us a daily spoonful of Scott's Emulsion (which was mild tasting) during "cold season" and I disliked it but she usually gave me something to chase the taste away with. Some of my friends had it too and one even liked it and went for seconds!!!

Years later, when I was 18, I joined a gym and was found 10 lbs. underweight (what an irony!) and one of the supplements recommended for gaining weight "back then" was a cod liver oil that might have come from Germany (called Kepler's Emulsion). I very eagerly went to the drugstore and bought a bottle ignoring my mother's warning that it was thick and fishy tasting. Well, I gagged on it so bad I didn't want to hear about CLO for many years afterwards!

HLFAN

Sun, Sep-29-02, 21:23

Originally posted by DebPenny
That sounds to me like one more point for Tums too. And I just found sugar-free Tums. I know most of us stop having problems with reflux when low-carbing, but I am still having problems and it's probably because I have a hiatal (sp?) hernia. Things just keep gurgling up :eek:. But now with sugar-free Tums, I don't have to worry about needing to take it, especially since it's the only antacid that seems to help (that and Zantac at night).

Thanks, Atrsy!

;- Deb

Hi Deb,Have your seen a doctor about your reflux. It can be controlled these days. I took Zantec for years. I have no valve, yes, no valve at the top of my stomach. The only way to fix it is by breaking your ribs and going in surgically. UGGGHH. However, there is a new procedure done by arthroscopic surgery but it isn't perfect yet. My valve broke having a baby which is very coman. Ask your doctor for Nexium, best thing every happened to me. 1 in the morning on an empty stomach and that's it. I once had so much pain my friend took me to emerg thinking I was having a heart attack. Agony. Nexium is great. Good luck, Nancy :wave:

Raquel

Mon, Sep-30-02, 13:18

You should have re-read the book again before getting started so you'd be better prepared. While sometimes it can be sign of a more serious problem, it could just be your electrolytes got flushed out too fast as the first week of the diet has a strong diuretic effect (hence the quick weight loss).

While that includes calcium, the most often responsible for weakness and feeling run down is POTASSIUM or even SODIUM (very important to consider if you're exposed to a lot of heat and/or stress). In the book "Protein Power" potassium pills are recommended during the first week of the diet, about 4 (99 mg/ea.) with every meal or you can try a salt substitute containing potassium chloride on your salad and/or veggies instead of regular salt. Another important mineral that I consider a must is MAGNESIUM which you should take if you're going to add either potassium or calcium to help balancing them out.

Last time I went L/C I reacted with a lot of weakness for the first time but potassium took care of that.

Atrsy

Mon, Sep-30-02, 18:30

Raquel, I've been reading a lot of different things lately, and they all point to acid as being the culprit for almost all disease. It is just as Bob Barefoot said! So the calcium neutralizes this acid.

The other "diets" said that you should also eat foods that have an anti acidic effect on your body. This is fresh veggies and fruit. These diets also allow rice and I've been eating rice cakes with Polaner all fruit jelly on then and I haven't really seen any change in weight(except for 3 lbs when I first started this experiment)

The one place I read about this was in Woman's World Magazine. It was very interesting. I'm still taking the calcium and my BP has continued to go down even though it is normally low. One night it actually scared me because it was 103/43. I did feel a little dizzy that night, but the next morn it was back up to 120/62 so I didn't worry about it.

Carol

Raquel

Mon, Sep-30-02, 22:30

I wrote a post that I should have addressed to you, it's about electrolites, please read it.

Raquel

Mon, Sep-30-02, 22:50

You are quite right about acidity. Last year I was seeing a naturopath and she gave me a list dividing foods into two groups, those that I should avoid (acid) and the ones I should eat (alkaline). My problem is that over time I've forgotten some of the "avoids", so many different things to watch for I was getting pretty overwhelmed.

I tried to do "The Fat Flush Plan" for liver cleansing, which is sort of L/C, but in no time found myself craving "no-nos" and cheating more often than I was doing things right. I realized that any stress would push me over the edge. Lately I started having problems sleeping and having very low energy so before I knew it I'd stopped exercising and have done very little of it during the last two weeks.

I had wanted to lose at least 10 lbs. for my B-day which was on Sept. 13 and my best efforts didn't yield any results. Through reading a book about sleep I realized nothing will go right with me until I can sleep normally again so I decided to shelve the expectations and just try to be good to myself. Right now I'm just weathering my very stressful life the best I can, some days I'm good others I'm not. When I "sin" up to 5 lbs. can creep up on me suddenly due to water retention, that forces me to pay attention to what I'm putting in my mouth but for now I've given up on trying to lose.

Have you been losing since I was last here almost 2 months ago?

Atrsy

Tue, Oct-15-02, 06:53

Raquel, I have not been losing either. I have been following the acid reducing diet and haven't seen a reduction in acid either, but they did say that it could take months to balance the pH.

I bought the pH sticks at a pet shop and found that I am totally off the chart for acid. THe sticks start at 6.2 (first morn urine is to be no lower than 6.8). 6.2 is an orangey yellow and mine was pale yelllow--almost white!

Yesterday I woke up to a nice sunny day and felt on top of the world. I felt younger, thinner and just wonderful. Today I am up in weight. I think that the acid reducing diet is just a little high in carbs for me. One apple and a rice cake in a day can shoot those little buggers through the roof! I must start to watch the carbs again, even though the calories seem a tad low.

Go to http://www.thewolfeclinic.com and read the article titled Reclaim Your Inner Terrain. It is a fascinating article!

Carol

Cmyst

Mon, Oct-21-02, 19:47

I work 12 hour shifts, spending a great deal of that time on my feet. One of the big motivators of my resuming Atkins after 20 years off it was the hope of reducing the wear and tear of over 100 excess pounds on my feet and legs. I was fairly active until the last three years; I'd downhill ski, go hiking, work out at the gym, etc. I weighed what I do now, btw. In the last three years, it's like my age (45) has caught up to me and I hobble around like an old woman, can barely make it up the stairs at my condo because of knee and hip pain, and can only sleep on my left side because of low back and right hip pain. :mad:

I have started taking chondroitin and glucosamine, the Atkins multivitamin and essential oils capsule, Vitamin C. In order to be able to sleep and do my regular daily stuff, I am pretty much forced to take an NSAID; I just switched from Ibuprofen to Naproxen to try to cut back on the amount I take. I, too, would at this point give just about anything to reduce the aches and pain! What makes it worse is that I am around a lot of people who have chronic pain issues, in some cases abuse narcotic pain meds, and I'm beginning to really empathize with them --- and I don't want to become that way.

Recently, for God knows what reason, the dorsal aspect of my left foot has developed a "cramping" sensation -- it usually goes away on my days off, and it isn't so bad when I'm on my feet at work, but it gets awful when I'm trying to sleep or I'm sitting for awile. I tried topical arthritis cream, heat "patches", and last night a co-worker said the same thing happened to her and that she got rid of it by taking calcium -- so I stopped at the drugstore on the way home this morning and got the Calcium 600 with D, and took my first two pills this morning. I don't think it has anything to do with the calcium I took, and I also know it is way too soon for the calcium to work, but I was awakened about half a dozen times during my sleep time today by the most horrid leg cramps that I have ever had! I've been on Atkins now for over three months, and I don't *think* this is because of postassium loss, although I also diuresed yesterday (again, dunno why -- eating the same as always) .

I do not want to have these leg cramps again!!! It was truly awful, like torture. My pain threshold is fairly high, and I was on the verge of crying. My question to you all is, do you think the calcium will help my aching foot and joints longterm? And what do you think I can do about preventing another session of godawful leg cramps? And does anyone know how long it takes the calcium to exert any effects? :confused:

I don't mind paying for supplements, but my BF thinks I pop too many pills already and my supplements have gone from a couple pills a day to two handfuls now morning and evening. I know that these things take time, but I'd like to get some feedback from others who've been there on how much time to give it.

BTW, although I was hoping for a lot more relief from the controlled carbs, I do feel *much* better and more energetic just from the lifestyle alone! My energy level has increased amazingly. I want to start resuming my prior active lifestyle, but it is really depressing when I have the *energy* to do things and the pain won't let me do them.