Most likely not. Of course you should take a good look at what sort of things you have decided to add to your menu following induction. It is very common, however to have several “plateaus” (stalls) along the way. It is almost as if your body is going through an adjustment to each new weight [...]

Dr. Atkins recommends testing for ketosis (actually benign dietary lipolysis) by testing one’s urine for the presence of ketone bodies. Most people use one or another variation on ketostix, a small strip of plastic with an area of reagent on the tip which, when exposed to urine containing ketone bodies, will turn anywhere from pink [...]

A low carb nutritional program is ideal for type2 diabetics. (Type1 diabetics should investigate Dr. Bernstein’s site, and consult with their health care providers.) The more restricted carbohydrate intake is, the lower one’s blood glucose levels will be. Dr. Atkins did, and Dr. Bernstein still does, treat diabetic patients with very restricted carbohydrate intake being [...]

There have always been anecdotal reports of people starting to experience gall bladder problems after adopting a low carb (and, usually higher fat) way of eating. The research now shows that this is most common in people who are switching over from long periods of severely restricting fat intake. The gall bladder stores and concentrates [...]

A good amount of research has proven the opposite, but only when carbohydrate is very restricted. Some people experience a reduction in the total cholesterol, but almost all experience a significant, and positive change in their lipid profile. In general, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL – widely recognized as the “bad” cholesterol) decreases, High Density Lipoprotein [...]

Yes, but it is not recommended that women who are pregnant or nursing restrict their carb intake to the point of ketosis. There have not been sufficient studies done to prove that is completely safe for the baby. It is generally advised that you reduce your consumption of sugar and white flour, as well as [...]

Sometimes, on any weight loss program, some people find that they may have (or may have more frequent) leg cramps. Often it’s because you’re a bit low on some minerals or electrolytes. Various people have found that a calcium (or calcium with magnesium) supplement helps. Other folks have reported that a bit of potassium works [...]

It certainly can’t hurt to at least take a daily multi-vitamin – no matter what sort of nutritional plan you are following. This is a way to “cover your bases” and be sure you’re getting a minimum allotment of most recognized micro-nutrients. Beyond that, different programs have different recommendations about taking other nutritional supplements.

When you start an exercise program at the same time that you adopt a low carb (or any other weight loss) program, you’ll often find that there’s no big change on the scale in the beginning stages. If you’ve been sedentary and start a vigorous exercise program, you’ll be building muscle. Muscle, square inch for [...]

That depends. Everyone loses at a different rate. Age, hormonal status, distance from a normal weight, sodium intake, exercise level and other factors will determine the rate of loss. If you are losing, in the big picture, you are doing it right. Those of us who are ex-”yo-yo’s” – gaining and losing weight with various [...]