Bad Cravings? Try this!

[DiamondDeb]

Originally posted by Annabelle
Hi
I wanted to try these supplements in the right combo and timing you have listed! I had everything in the house but my chromium picolinate is 500 mcg a capsule. When I try to convert to mg I get a ridiculous number. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? I may just go get a new bottle of chromium that comes in mg! Thanks for any help !
Anne

Oh, no! I slipped up in my post. That explains your ridiculous number, Anne.

I typed 200mg Chromium but it should be 200mcg Chromium with breakfast, lunch, dinner & at bedtime.

I'm so sorry about that but I'm glad your question brought it to my attention. Most chromium comes in 200mcg capsules or pills.

[binki]

I started the schedule in the original post two days ago and really think this may actually work.

I'm someone who has never ever gotten appetite suppression from ketosis, ever. It just doesn't work on me; I'd eat low carbs, turn all my sticks pink, eat 3000 calories a day, and still be hungry every waking minute. The only time this changed was when I gave up all artificial sweeteners, including Splenda, for a month. But I don't want to live without sweets. So I was resigned to just being hungry all the time.

These last two days, I wasn't ready to gnaw my own arm off by 11:30 like I usually am. I am going to keep going with this; if nothing else, all that glutamine will help build my muscles! I had been taking a tablet after workouts, but just one, since I considered them expensive. All of a sudden it seems worth it, and I don't mind taking 3 or 4 of them a day.

It's way too early to say for sure, but I am cautiously very optimistic.

[Annabelle]

Thank you, thank you , thank you , Deb ! I really am math phobic so I was sure I was doing something crazy! I feel much better! I'm off to take my pills
Anne

[DiamondDeb]

Anne, most of the time supps are in mg so it was an easy mistake but I should have checked it more carefully before posting. Thanks to Cheri, the dosage has been corrected in the original post.

I'm glad some of you are finding this info as beneficial as I am. I felt it was just too important not to share it.

[nessyrae]

Quick question...

Once I stop taking these supplements will the cravings come back? Just wondered if this is long or short term.

Thanks!

[DiamondDeb]

Originally posted by nessyrae
Quick question...

Once I stop taking these supplements will the cravings come back? Just wondered if this is long or short term.

Thanks!

It depends on whether you're getting the nutrients you were lacking & that caused the cravings in the first place. I find that much of the time when I miss taking the supps the cravings come back. The Diet Cure does have an individualized nutrition plan that is supposed to take care of that. The author says that most people only need to take the supps of a few months if they eat the correct way.

[iluvgreys]

I get my cravings in the afternoon and after dinner. Should I stll take Chromium with breakfast and lunch...Seems like a lot of pills!

500-1500 of glutamine is a big range. How do you know how much to take? Do you have to take it so often to work?

Thanks!

[DiamondDeb]

Originally posted by iluvgreys
I get my cravings in the afternoon and after dinner. Should I stll take Chromium with breakfast and lunch...Seems like a lot of pills!

500-1500 of glutamine is a big range. How do you know how much to take? Do you have to take it so often to work?

Thanks!

Yes, it is a lot of pills. I don't always remember to take them all, but I know I feel better when I take them as suggested. You could try it just at dinner time if that's the only time you have cravings. Maybe you only need it late in the day. If that doesn't work, try it at lunch, too. If you can get away with using less, go for it!

Always start with the least amount when there is a range. If that doesn't help, take 1000mg. If that doesn't work, go to 1500mg.

Everyone is different so it takes a bit of experimenting to see exactly what works best for you. That's what Julia Ross says in the Diet Cure. Sometimes I need less, sometimes I need a little more.

[cbaecker]

Originally posted by DiamondDeb

To put an end to cravings for sweets & starches, try a combo of glutamine & chromium. This usually eliminates cravings in 24 hours. [list][*]500-1500mg L-glutamine first thing in the morning, midmorning, & midafternoon

Do you get these supplements in any drugstore or do I have to go to a healthfood store for these??

[meekse]

I had to go to GNC for the L-glutamine. I have been taking 2 pills after lunch and dinner to help the sweet cravings...seems to be working some. I still have my diet sunkist after dinner to help the sweet tooth a little.

[DiamondDeb]

Originally posted by cbaecker
Do you get these supplements in any drugstore or do I have to go to a healthfood store for these??

You should be able to find chromium at most drugstores & places like Wal-Mart. You might find glutamine at a few such places, especially in the pill form. You're more likely to find it at health food stores. I buy mine in powder form at Vitamin World.

[farley109]

Quick question. I have been taking the chromium since day one. (Well when I remember!!) But I also take Coenzyme Q-10. Why? Did I dream this was good for lo-carbing?

Tommie

[momof4boyz]

I just started last week and feel really good. I'm not sure if I have the correct dosages though. Also, I get a bit confused as to the times to take them.

DiamondDeb - Do you still have the spreadsheet for the supplements? If so, would you mind e-mailing it to me at ceubanks2000@yahoo.com.

Maybe the spreadsheet will help me figure out if I'm taking the supplements at the correct times.

[DiamondDeb]

Originally posted by momof4boyz
I just started last week and feel really good. I'm not sure if I have the correct dosages though. Also, I get a bit confused as to the times to take them.

DiamondDeb - Do you still have the spreadsheet for the supplements? If so, would you mind e-mailing it to me at ceubanks2000@yahoo.com.

Maybe the spreadsheet will help me figure out if I'm taking the supplements at the correct times.

I just sent you the supps spreadsheet, however, I did not make it; Leenie did. The supps listed are the ones she was taking. You can delete or add your own. I hope it helps!

It's tricky remembering them all at the right time. I do better when I have them all in a pillbox ready for the day. Then it helps to set my sports watch timer to go off when it's time to take them. I haven't been doing either lately & have been missing some. I need to start again!

Tommie, I think the scientific jury is still out on Coenzyme Q-10. I've taken it before & heard lots of great things about important it is for everyone. I've also read a report that says the Food & Drug Administration isn't impressed. http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/7883.htm

[inatic]

Hey Deb and Pam.

Not sure that the glutamine works for me in controling my appetite,but then again, I am able to stick to plan nearly all the time. Hmmmmm

As recommended by my trainer, I take 5gms of glutamine(powdered) in the am with 10gs BCCA's(branch chain aminos) and 10gs Post workout with 10gs of BCCA"S. Dont notice a yucky flavor cause the bcca's are flavored and together taste like a pixie stick

Dont think that am taking enough to notice that kind of difference but then again i dont go without or forget to take it.

[DiamondDeb]

Ileen, you're taking glutam!ne for recovery, not cravings, right? It probably helps for cravings, too. Glutamine doesn't taste bad--it's supposedly the only good-tasting amino acid.

[inatic]

Deb you are correct. My usage of glutamine is for muscle recovery... I still wonder if it does anything at that low dose for appetite

how much powder is 500-1500 mg equal?

[DiamondDeb]

Originally Posted by inatic

Deb you are correct. My usage of glutamine is for muscle recovery... I still wonder if it does anything at that low dose for appetite

how much powder is 500-1500 mg equal?

Ileen, I don't need to use very much! Most powder is 5000mg per teaspoon. Mine is 4500mg per teaspoon. I usually use somewhere between 1/8 (563mg) & 1/4 (1125mg) teaspoon per serving. I measure with 1/4 teaspoon.

For recovery you are taking a lot more at one time. For cravings it calls for much less, but spread out.

[inatic]

It would help if my nursing drug calculations came back to me..

. ok.... wow I use the little scoop that it comes with, which is nearly 1 tsp. I am getting quite a bit, just broken down differently.

Interesting.......Thanks Deb

[mmorris]

It is funny that you mentioned supplements... I just added L-Glutamine, Green Tea, and L-Caratine...
I do think Matt has a point about SA's.... I am having an awful problem trying to get off of it...
*- Matt do you have any suggestions on a substitute... I have to have sweetner in my tea..? thanks

[2kidzlater]

I just started taking l-glutamine and chromium yesterday!!!

MMorris- I have heard a lot of people mention that they are taking green tea on the board. What are the benifits from taking it??? my sug. on your tea would be SF syrups like DaVinci.

[landis]

Originally Posted by Matt

i cut out artificial sweetner additions and my cravings are completely gone... could also work for others im sure.

Yes aspartame does this to me especially. Splenda doesn't seem to be as bad.

[Criosa]

Does anyone know if these supplements would affect someone with insomnia? I have to be very careful of what I take after noon. I get strong cravings in the afternoon (especially for nuts), and would like to try this. I can fall asleep okay, but have a hard time staying asleep after 4:00 am - no matter what time I go to bed.

[Stackeyha]

Glutamin works for me too. I'm not taking Chromium right now because I read somewhere to be careful of dosage preggers...since I haven't been able to find it again I don't want to chance it until I figure out what it said. But I take 2 l-glutimine at mealtimes and don't have any serious cravings. If I forget, I do get the cravings back within a couple of days...but again I'm pregnant, so I think that could be contributing to the depletion of the nutrients.

Not Matt...but on the artificial sweetner thing...for any beverage I use LIQUID stevia...all the powders that I've tried seem bitter for some reason so be careful with that...the liquid is just sweet to me. Now the other thing that I did...AND THIS IS NOT A SUGGESTION...I figured out that 1 actual tsp of sugar is 4 carbs (it can't be one of those heaping jobbies) and I did use 1 tsp sugar and some stevia to get me used to the difference in flavor...but be aware that I'm pregnant and can be in ketosis in about 6-8 hours after eating a McDonalds meal with all the bread all the frys and a coke...if I want to...so a couple extra even pure sugar carbs don't bother me right now...Unpregnant is an entirely different story...and my tea in the morning is just about the ONLY sweet thing that I eat most days. (the McDonalds thing...my midwife made me do it...don't try this at home.

CRIOSA-that insomnia thing...I had that VERY bad for several months. By the time I figured it out I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night and about 4 different times I passed out mid day...kind of like narcolepsy...except I could hear things around me and couldn't respond...very scary. Mine turned out to be a SERIOUS allergy to splenda. The other part of it was that I was cold ALL THE TIME..couldn't get the thermometer over about 96 in the end. It was dropping my blood pressure within about 1 hour of eating ANYTHING with splenda in it...including a dollop of barbeque sauce. Within 48 hours of cutting it I could sleep and within about 3-4 days all those other symptoms were gone too. So while you're doing this supplement thing, you might want to try that...especially with adding glutamine, nixing artificial sweeteners for a couple days might help resolve the insomnia.

[2kidzlater]

Could Someone please tell me if L-Glutamine or Chromium have any "BAD" side effects???? THANKS

[inatic]

I can say that the L glutamine doesnt for me or any one that i do know.. dont use the crhromium

[DiamondDeb]

Originally Posted by 2kidzlater

Could Someone please tell me if L-Glutamine or Chromium have any "BAD" side effects???? THANKS

No, you shouldn't worry about Glutamine side effects. Studies have found it to have no negative side effects. Also because Glutamine naturally occurs in the body, it has no health risks. However, like all supplements, too much is never a good idea. Taking excessive amounts of L-Glutamine has led to upset stomachs, so you should follow the recommended dosages.

"Using chromium supplements over a short period of time is not usually linked to side effects. But studies have noted occasional reports of irregular heartbeats with its use.

Infrequently, chromium has been reported to cause changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia and increased dream activity. Irritability is another reported side effect of chromium therapy.

Some concerns have been raised about exposure to certain forms of chromium in the workplace. These forms—chromium oxide and chromium fluoride—have been linked to increased risk for cancer, kidney damage, and skin rashes. But they are not the types of chromium used in chromium supplements. Chromium supplements and chromium from food haven’t been shown to cause such health problems in people.

Since chromium supplements may change the way your body handles sugar, talk to a doctor before using them if you have diabetes or use insulin.

Sources:
Peirce, A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. William Morrow & Co., 1999.
The Review of Natural Products. Facts and Comparisons, 1999.
Micromedex Healthcare Series. Micromedex, Inc., 2001."

[AZJeanne]

Dr. Atkins also recommended using L-Glutamine for controlling sweets cravings.

[DisneyPrincess]

Originally Posted by inatic

Hey Deb and Pam.

Not sure that the glutamine works for me in controling my appetite,but then again, I am able to stick to plan nearly all the time. Hmmmmm

As recommended by my trainer, I take 5gms of glutamine(powdered) in the am with 10gs BCCA's(branch chain aminos) and 10gs Post workout with 10gs of BCCA"S. Dont notice a yucky flavor cause the bcca's are flavored and together taste like a pixie stick

Dont think that am taking enough to notice that kind of difference but then again i dont go without or forget to take it.

What are BCCA's?

[itz_ashley]

My mom bought me some Chromium Picolinate (200 mcg) the other day, she mentioned that my doctor wanted to take them ( Its been awhile since I been so I forgot, lol) Anyways, on the back of the bottle that I have, it says to take it once a day after a meal..

Should I take it 3 times a day? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, lol