Johnny's Kitchen

Which Nutrients Should I Take

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I would like to provide you with a basic supplementation plan to follow now and after you've reached your goal weight. Certain nutrients can aid in weight loss, so I have devised a basic formula that is integral to the Atkins Nutritional Approach. This formula is also perfectly appropriate once you've reached Lifetime Maintenance. I'll list its contents, so you won't necessarily have to get them from Atkins Nutritionals (in which, of course, I have a financial involvement). You can simply provide yourself with a collection of vitamins that provide the equivalent nutritional support.

Atkins Basic #3 Formula contains all the ingredients in my basic multiple vitamin, known as Basic #1, although in somewhat different dosages (see table beginning below). Basic #1 is a good formulation when weight loss is not an issue. Basic #3, on the other hand, is designed to be taken as three tablets daily, one with each meal. Compared to Basic #1, it contains greater amounts of certain nutrients-including chromium, pantethine, selenium, vanadium and biotin-all of which play a role in regulating blood sugar and insulin, as well as in burning fat. We've also included additional amounts of antioxidants. Although you will certainly be able to find a good multivitamin that contains most of the ingredients in Basic #3, you may choose to purchase separately the individual substances I've just cited so you can take them in the desired amounts. Basic #3 is formulated with intestinal flora, which helps your body use the nutrients more easily. It contains the following:

Atkins Basic #3 Formula

*Daily Value not established.

*Daily Value not established.

Let me point out the merits of some of the nutrients in Basic #3 that specifically deal with weight control, so you get a sense of why supplementation is also important for weight loss and maintenance:

• Chromium, which deserves the most attention, helps activate the uptake of insulin at its receptor sites. It is best assimilated in the form of chromium polynicotinate. A spate of studies has shown that chromium will build muscle, decrease body fat and lower cholesterol levels.' Basic #3 contains 300 mcg, which is sufficient for most individuals. Others may need up to 800 to 1000 mcg per day.

• Pantethine (vitamin B5) is a remarkable nutrient that helps control cholesterol, supports the adrenals and produces "friendly" bacteria in the intestine, making it a valuable tool in preventing yeast overgrowth .2 Basic #3 contains 20 mg of pantethine, which is the precursor of pantothenic acid, and another 60 mg of the latter. This dose should be sufficient for most people; those who are metabolically resistant in the extreme may need to take an additional supplement.

• Selenium is a powerful antioxidant. It may also play a beneficial nutritional role in preventing diabetes. Basic #3 contains 50 mcg.

• Vanadium (vanadyl sulfate) is a trace mineral that dramatically aids diabetics, apparently by helping cells to absorb blood sugar more effectively and thereby decreasing the need for insulin. Basic #3 contains 40 mcg; people with diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions may require as much as 100 mcg daily. However, without medical supervision I do not recommend exceeding the amount found in Basic #3.

• Biotin is an unsung B vitamin whose nutritional role was emphasized by a study that noted a significant drop in diabetics' blood-sugar levels after taking the supplement.3 Basic #3 contains 150 mcg of biotin.

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