Journal de GlennM, 09 févr. 08

I can usually tell if I am low in potassium because I get leg spasms in my calves. I have read that general cramps are a sign, especially if you are active and haven't been doing anything different in the way of exercise. When I was really low I would wake up in the middle of the night with a charlie-horse, but I don't let it get that far any more. Thanks for brining up this important topic. That is one of the reasons that the vegetables are not an optional item on this plan. :) 

I HAVE had leg cramps recently! Perhaps it was from low potassium; and everyone on Atkins has to be really careful. The first few times I has Stevia I had charlie-horses right away at night. I'll bet it was because my potassium was low. Thankfully I had some in my cabinet and took it yesterday and today. It says to take only 99mg. a day - NO MORE than that without a medical doctor's advice however. I'm hoping my potassium level is OK - but now that I know foods like avocados are so high in potassium I'm going to make certain to add them to my diet. Sardines were in there occasionally in my diet already but I'll eat them more often and sunflower seeds (shelled) too. We don't want anyone having cardiac problems that are avoidable because they're not following the book or the diet properly, which is so easy to overlook for everyone as they get on the diet and just think it's like every other diet out there and it's not. It's not dangerous as my aunt proclaims and as her doctor told her if it's truly followed properly. Perhaps every few months it should be put in as a reminder for the new added dieters to the site who like my friend aren't really aware of sort of following Atkins but not carefully enough (I wasn't even following it carefully enough really!) so that everyone can have a safe dieting experience and lose weight and remain healthy! :) 

I used to get charlie horses all the time in my low fat diet days. Now I rarely get them...although now that I said that I'll probably get one tonight. LOL! I think the potassium issue illustrates the need to take a good multivitamin supplement every day, not as a substitute for good nutrition but as added insurance. It also illustrates the dangers of abusing any diet plan. Guessing at how a plan works or taking it to extremes is never good. Unfortunatly many of those who do it "wrong" then blame the plan for their mistakes and poor outcomes. 

P.S. My aunt asked her doctor about Atkins he said no because it causes low potassium - and it does if one isn't aware enough to take foods high in that nutrient.... my friend is an example of someone who followed Atkins poorly and 3 years ago wound up permanently on a supplement because he never read the book and never knew the importance of potassium in the diet. I think oftentimes a Multivitamin may not be enough so everyone on this diet should be followed up by their doctors to be certain they're OK... 

We should all consult with our doctors before changing our eating habits or starting an exercise program. However doctors are not always that knowledgeable regarding nutrition requirements but they can order the necessary blood work to ensure that there are not any conditions that would preclude a new diet or exercise plan. If one had been eating bad for years they may want to also visit a nutritionist. A good nutritionist should be up to date on all of the diet plans out there and how they measure up to nutritional needs.  

I think anyone on Atkins should get their blood tested at least twice a year anyway. Complete chemistries, lipid panel and blood counts. I work in a lab and those are the most important ones. (Potassium is in most chemistry panels)