Side Effects of Low Carbing

[dannyt]

Other than the obvious weight loss, wondered what side effects others have noticed with this WOE.

Know ladies will have effects specific for their bodies. I am sleeping better (not longer, but deeper), NOT SNORING (my DW loves it for this reason alone). I essentially never pass gas, my blood pressure is down very significantly (was at the point of taking medication - NOT NOW), have bundles of energy, and my bladder has grown. I've read on this BB that psorisis was brought under control and cholesteral levels improved - though I've yet to experience either.

[merryellen]

I have noticed all of the same improvements you have listed and also my skin looks much better, my fingernails are stronger (They are kind of long for the first time!) my TOM hormonal moodswings are gone and my hair is shinier!

[LuvToLose]

My cholesterol went from 267 to 198. I have way more energy. I no longer have gas like I used to (I know TMI). I have psoriasis and can't say for sure that it improved from this WOE. I sleep better and I'm not always fixated on food.

[Jasmyn]

My skin has cleared up, and my hair grows faster.

[IrishAngel40]

GERD is gone, gas is gone, I need less sleep, I have more energy, gallbladder symptoms gone, aching feet are gone, snoring gone, blood sugar levels are down, blood pressure is normal, cholestorol levels & ratios are awesome, men hold open doors & smile at me , constant hunger gone, mid-afternoon fatigue gone, brain fog gone...

[Kathy4HIM]

I was on two shots of insulin per day..........100 units total.........I am now OFF OF INSULIN.......this is my third week and I am so so so so thrilled and grateful for this w.o.e.

This is my biggest reward for eating this way...........much more so than the weight loss.

Kathy

[jobus]

no back pain
no achy knees
and most importantly, my truck is no longer littered with fast food bags

[Diana]

I did notice the gas is gone... LOL
My skin looks awesome, hair shinier

[TaDa!]

I used to wake up all stiff and sore and to walk downstairs my legs were so stiff I staggered down -- and literally the week after starting that stiffness and soreness was gone!!!!!!

I would have thought the weight might make it go away, but incredible to me that it was the actual change of eating!! (at that point I had only lost like 3 lbs)

I used to have a occasional serious hip pains from my joint and have not had a one in 3 months on this woe!

Is it the water?

Is it giving up the caffeine? (I am still off it)

Is it giving up the carbs?

Is it the exercise? (started after one month on Atkins)

Who knows, but I feel so much younger again -- too cool!!!! That one taste of what aging is like was enough for me!!! I ams taying on this woe for the longterm!

[igirl]

Originally posted by dannyt
Other than the obvious weight loss, wondered what side effects others have noticed with this WOE.

Know ladies will have effects specific for their bodies. I am sleeping better (not longer, but deeper), NOT SNORING (my DW loves it for this reason alone). I essentially never pass gas, my blood pressure is down very significantly (was at the point of taking medication - NOT NOW), have bundles of energy, and my bladder has grown. I've read on this BB that psorisis was brought under control and cholesteral levels improved - though I've yet to experience either.

Pretty much all those (except the sleep thing) -- I'm one of the psorisis sufferers that has been helped by this WOL alot. But by far the best thing that has happened (of course besides my weight loss ) is that my PMS is basically non existent now. I used to be Dr Jekyl/Mr. Hyde! Now I'm much more level and don't get those fits of rage like I used to. WOW, is DH happy about THAT!

[LooksLikePaul]

Lower weight!
Lower blood pressure
Lower cholesterol
Lower resting pulse
psoriasis gone
knee pain gone
back pain lessened (started after a car wreck in 1976)
GERD gone
heart arrhythmia gone
chest pains gone
energy increased
hypoglycemia under control (this used to provoke my Jeckyl/Hyde episodes)

Hmmmmm... there has to be more than that!

Oh yeah! People say that constipation is a problem on Atkins. Well, not for me. I am as regular as clock work where before I had the most horrific bouts of constipation. Horrific I tell you!!!

One more thing: I don't need an afternoon nap anymore.

[jezzie]

More energy, less gas

But the two most important benefits never came to pass. My bloodpressure has steadily increased and doc put me on two new meds. I'm sure it's not diet related. Maybe only salt sensitive high bloodpressure improves? I'm not salt sensitive.

And the GERD also got worse. I'm now on Nexium. Again I don't think it's diet related so I'm keeping on keeping on.

~jezzie
47 gone / 37 to go

[onenoney]

Most of what everyone else has said with the exception of energy, sleeping better, brain fog lifting and better looking hair. After 15 years my eczema is gone.

Kath
going to the doc on Monday and have thyroid tests taken

[dannyt]

onenoney - have had eczema myself on my left leg for roughly 15 years. I have not noticed the results that you have. Do you also take any kind of medication for it?

[DixieDreamer]

Lost weight
Lowered my cholesterol by over 60 points
Improved my cholesterol ratios
Got off medication I was previously taking for angina affects of mitral valve prolapse
No longer starving mid day and mid afternoon
MUCH more stable emotionally - no more roller coaster emotions
No gas unless I have Atkins Muffins (LOL! they hurt me!)
Skin, nails, and hair are smooth and shiny
I am in much smaller size clothing at this weight - then the last time I weighed this amount.

I feel GOOD!

[blooming]

Just this past week I've been having terrible leg cramps. It's feels like sharp pinching pain. Yesterday it hit me at work and I limped around for a good 15min or so til it passed. Is there something I'm missing? Vitamins? I'm drinking about 70-80oz. water a day and exercise 3x a week.

Other then that, I feel great. The principle at the boys school commented on how nice my skin looked. That was nice. I'm a waitress. No more foot pain. No more sore back. I can work a double and not collapse after a shift.

[2bfitb440]

I have a lot more energy with this woe.
I also don't require as much sleep.
My appetite has decreased tremendously.

I have been getting let cramps at night.
I did some research and think that it might be from my low calcium intake. I'm going to try to add calcium to my diet to see if that helps.

[onenoney]

Dannyt,
I use to use presciption creams but have not had to get any at all this year. Mine was so bad that my legs were nothing but oozing scabs. I would take a kitchen scrubby to the palms of my hands and scratch away. All that is left now is the scars which I hope will fade with exposure to sun and time.

Kath

[Sequim88]

My GERD went away and I stopped taking Prilosec.

Alcohol goes a LOT farther. Less has more effect and not just because of less body mass.

Tieing shoes no longer turns my face funny shades of red and magenta.

Sitting on bleachers, picnic tables or other benches HURTS - no more padding on hind end.

My grocery store is sad because I stopped buying 90% of the food they sell.

Sex is better with less belly in the way.

Defending this WOE has made me more assertive.

[sligh]

I would continue this WOE even if I never lost another pound because the side effects are so great. The best ones for me are:

No more raging hungers
Being able to stop eating when I'm satisfied, not stuffed
Hip joint pain is gone
I took zantac for 20 years to deal with heartburn/stomach acid. Two months ago I stopped taking the pills and have had no stomach pain.
I didn't like to cook anymore. Now I LOVE to cook and amaze DH with LC foods!!

[woodswoman]

Those of you with leg cramps - you need potassium. I ran out for 3 days last week and the cramps were back. Got some more and no cramps now.

As far as side effects go, most of those already listed, plus - I feel happy now! I can't wait to get up in the morning! I really missed feeling like that.

[LooksLikePaul]

Originally posted by dannyt
onenoney - have had eczema myself on my left leg for roughly 15 years. I have not noticed the results that you have. Do you also take any kind of medication for it?

Danny - sometimes it can take 6+ months to see improvement for an autoimmune disorder such as psoriasis or eczema if it is going to happen.

My psoriasis (and GERD) had more to do with a gluten sensitivity than anything (see www.celiac.com ) and when I started Atkins of course I cut out grains, breads, etc. My psoriasis cleared up and I was able to stop using the aclovate cream the dermatologist had prescribed for me. It gradually went away and I've had no more flare ups since.

I hope you have the same relief in time.

Edited to add: I second the mention of potassium for leg cramps.

[Linda95926]

I've been on Akins just over 1 year and have lost 51 lbs. Here are my improvements:
Heartburn gone.
Fibromalygia has improved
More energy less pain
Sleep less but better
Not hungery all the time
No strange cravings for strange foods
Seat belts in cars fit again
Hair & nails growing faster
Skin look better

The only thing that is worse is my depression (which is a serotin
defientcy, SAD). So I'm back on meds.

[Mile High April]

I'd get an occasional boil (at least once a week). They'd never come up, just sit under my skin and hurt. Well, since 1 week after this WOE, I haven't had even one! And my skin looks fantastic!

Also, my insomnia is non-existant anymore. I sleep like a baby and wake up feeling rested.

[blooming]

Thanks for your help and suggestions. I'm definetely going to stop at the vitamin shop!

[princessmommy]

Besides the weight loss i've noticed that I can skip doses of my Nexxium and not suffer with my GERD anymore

[BobbyD98604]

My eggs are fluffier and my floor shines brighter

OK. Yes I'm a smart a$$. Better that then a dumb one

I would have to say besides the weight loss, no more snoring, MUCH less gas , not hooked on coffee, clothes fit looser, breath that smells like a sewer, and I pee every 20 minutes or so.
I think that's probably too much info for many of you.

[Meowser]

Let's see...

Less gas
Sleep better, less, and more regularly
More energy
And most wierdly, no more allergies

I only had to take my Allegra for 2 weeks during hayfever season in the spring. Before this WOE I was taking an Allegra everyday to avoid the sneezing and wattery eyes.

Sadly my acne has not improved. But the skin on the rest of my body is all nice!

[Maycee]

For my DF and I...

the benefits are endless, let me count the ways...

lower blood pressure, lower overall cholesteral levels, smoother complexion, less PMS (YES!! i used to be hell on wheels ) more quality sleeping, no more snoring (for DF!!) finally finding a diet that really really works, and finding a wonderful new place to come every day for love, support, and sometimes that very needed kick in the pants when called for.

Also just wanted to add, for the folks that were saying their skin problems hadn't improved that much, in a word.... ZINC!! will clear most skin problems right up, in fact have never seen it NOT work but it has to be the chelated zinc (50gms or more a day) (been there done that)
As for the boils, I suffered for YEARS with them, and found out much later to my chagrin that every time I would suffer with them, I also was suffering from bad and undiagnosed bladder infections.. when Id knock the BI out, the boils always went with them (for what its worth...) would hate to see any one suffer like I had to for a LONG time before I found out.

[woodswoman]

I forgot to mention the most important side effect - my sinuses have cleared up completely! I suspect it's from getting enough water for the first time in my life.

Cheap zinc for your face - Desitin (diaper rash ointment), Try it, you'll like it.