question about the atkins supplements

[cheraismom]

I want to know do you NEED to take the atkins supplements for weight loss? I am on glucophage xr 500 mg for polycystic ovarian disease.... can these supplements be taken with the glucophage? any input is greatly appreciated... thanks.

[doreen T]

No cheraismom, you don't need to take the special Dr. Atkins supplements to lose weight.

But I strongly recommend that you do take a good multiple vitamin & mineral supplement for your overall health .. :) .. Any of the better quality ones that you can buy everywhere, Centrum, Jamieson, Quest ... look for types that are called "forte" or "super" or "stress" formula, because these will have extra B-vitamins, which are important for metabolising carbohydrates, and for your nerves and energy. For women, I suggest taking extra Calcium as well, since you're not drinking milk, and not eating 1/4 lb of cheese every single day!

Some lowcarbers find they need to take extra potassium too, because the increased urine output depletes the body's potassium supply. If you're feeling extra-tired, headachey, muscle aches and fatigue, that's a likely sign yer low in potassium. You can take it as a pill, but the simplest and cheapest is to use a salt-substitute such as Half Salt or No Salt, which you can buy at any grocery store. The NoSalt is pure potassium, the Half Salt is obviously mixed with regular salt. Just sprinkle on your food like you would regular salt; you can use it in cooking too. I don't use very much salt myself, so what I do is take 1/8 tsp of the NoSalt, stir into a glass of water and drink up. That amount has 320 mg potassium, or the amount in a large banana.

None of these supplements will interfere with the Metformin .. :)

Doreen