Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution

Robert C. Atkins, M.D., was the founder and medical director of the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. A 1951 graduate of the University of Michigan, he received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical School in 1955, and went on to specialize in cardiology. He was a practicing physician for over thirty years and is the author of several books. As a leader in the areas of natural medicine and nutritional pharmacology, he had built an international reputation. He was the recipient of the World Organization of Alternative Medicine's Recognition of Achievement Award and was the National Health Federation's Man of the Year. His many media appearances, where he had discussed diet and health, included "Larry King Live," "Oprah," "CBS This Morning," and "CNBC," among others. Many magazine and newspaper articles have featured his work, and he also had a nationally syndicated radio show. Dr. Atkins was the editor of his own national monthly newsletter, "Dr. Atkins' Health Revelations." He died in April 2003.

• CONTENTSINTRODUCTION: The Cat's Out of the BagPART INUTRIENTS VS. DRUGSCHAPTER 1 The Treatment of ChoiceThe Gratifications of Nutritional MedicineCase Histories Provide Scientific DataTreatment of Choice DefinedEnablers vs. Blockers: Complementary TherapyA Brief History of NutritionBeyond DeficiencyCHAPTER 2 When Our Nutrition Fails UsDiet-Related DisordersFood Falls ShortThe Refining PredicamentSugar: The AntinutrientOther AssaultsThe Vita-Nutrient NaysayersThe Countermovement Becomes a RevolutionMy Own TransformationThe Vita-Nutrient Information ExplosionPART IITHE VITA-NUTRIENTSCHAPTER 3 VitaminsVitamin A: Infection fighter, skin protectorCarotenoids: Cancer and heart protectors, antioxidantB Complex: The energy teamVitamin B1: Brain energizerVitamin B2: Antioxidant, energizer, and team playerVitamin B3: Restores sanity, controls cholesterol, repairs joints, controls diabetesVitamin B6: The most essential B vitaminFolic Acid: Our most significant deficiencyVitamin B12: The vitality shotCholine and Lecithin: Nerve rebuilderInositol: Nature's sleeping pillsPantethine/Pantothenic Acid: Better than cholesterol drugsPABA: Energizer, stiffness fighterBiotin: Diabetes benefactorVitamin C: The nutrient that does it allBioflavonoids: The first family of antioxidantsVitamin D: Bone benefactorVitamin E: The chief executive antioxidantTocotrienols: The undiscovered antioxidantsVitamin K: The key to bone healthCHAPTER 4 MineralsCalcium: Bone builderMagnesium: The heart's most important mineralPotassium: Our most valuable electrolyteIron: The double-edged swordZinc: Immune booster, wound healerCopper: Rheumatoid arthritis relieverManganese: The cell protectorIodine: Thyroid fuelChromium: Blood sugar balancerVanadium: Diabetes therapySelenium: Anticancer antioxidantMolybdenum: Detoxifier, purifierBoron: Sex hormone and bone providerSilicon: Skin, hair, and nails providerGermanium: Oxygen delivererCHAPTER 5 Amino AcidsArginine: Immune boosterGlutamine: Master protein builder, gut restorerLysine: Herpes fighterPhenylalanine: Be happy, feel no painTyrosine: AntidepressantGABA: The perfect tranquilizerMethionine: Antidepressant, liver helperGlutathione, N-Acetyl Cysteine: Master antioxidantsTaurine: Edema, high blood pressure, seizure fighterValine, Leucine, Isoleucine: Muscle fuelHistidine: Arthritis aidTryptophan: The best sleeping pill not on the marketCarnitine: The fat burnerAcetyl L-Carnitine: Brain energizerCHAPTER 6 Fatty AcidsEssential Fats: Our greatest deficiencyThe Omega-3s: The very good fatsDHA: Brain fatFlaxseed Oil: The king of the vegetable oilsGamma-Linolenic Acid: The good omega-6 fatCHAPTER 7 Fat-Based NutritionMedium-Chain Triglycerides: Fats for energy and weight lossSqualene: Oxygenator, cancer fighterGlycerol Monolaurate: Antiviral therapyAlkylglycerols: Inflammation, cancer fighterCetyl Myristoleate: The real arthritis cureCHAPTER 8 Digestive AidsFiber: Roughage to live wellBeneficial Bacteria: Our gut's true protectorsDigestive Aids: Make our food availableFOS: The beneficial sugarsCharcoal: Poison absorberCHAPTER 9 Nutrient-Dense Superfoods: All of Nature's NutrientsBarley and Wheat Grass Juice: The essence of sprouting grainsChlorella: The chlorophyll connectionSpirulina: The blue-green algaeBee Products: Pollen, propolis, and royal jellyCHAPTER 10 Vita-Nutrients with Unique RolesCoenzyme Q10: The vital nutrientLipoic Acid: Proven diabetic treatmentPhosphatidyl Serine: The smart nutrientDMSO: The healing penetrantCalcium AEP: The most underrated nutrient; autoimmune saviorCreatine: What muscles are made ofOctacosanol: Reliable brain fuelGamma-Oryzanol: The ulcer healerDMG: Fatigue fighter, autism conquerorTrimethylglycine: Methyl donor, homocysteine fighterNADH: The cell energizerCHAPTER 11 Cartilage-Building NutrientsShark and Bovine Cartilage: Arthritis therapy, cancer hopeGlucosamine: Osteoarthritis's best treatmentChondroitin Sulfate: How joints get wellSea Cucumber: Joint relieverCHAPTER 12 Hormones and GlandularsDHEA: The mother hormonePregnenolone: The grandmother hormoneMelatonin: The mystery of the pinealGlandular Extracts: Can the organ do the job?CHAPTER 13 HerbsMultipurpose HerbsGinkgo BilobaGinsengCat's ClawAloe VeraLicoriceGarlicGingerTurmericImmune-Enhancing HerbsMedicinal MushroomsMistletoeAstragalusPau d'ArcoInfection FightersEchinaceaGoldensealOlive LeafOil of OreganoTea Tree OilCardiovascular HerbsHawthornColeus forskohliiBromelainCapsaicinGuggulipidCactus (Night-Blooming Cereus)Metabolic HerbsMilk ThistleFenugreekGymnema SylvestreHerbs for MenSaw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)Pygeum AfricanumYohimbeHerbs for WomenBlack CohoshMexican Yam (Dioscorea)Vitex (Vitex agnus castus)Brain StimulantsSt.-John's-Wort (Hypericum)Ephedra (Ma Huang)Gotu KolaMental RelaxantsKavaValerianSingle-Purpose HerbsCranberryFeverfewBilberryPART IIITARGETED VITA-NUTRIENT THERAPYCHAPTER 14 Applying the ProgramTreating Your Health Problems with Vita-NutrientsThe Natural vs. Synthetic ControversyTargeting Your NutritionHow to Use the Vita-Nutrient TreatmentsCHAPTER 15 The Vita-Nutrient SolutionsCardiovascular ConditionsHeart and Vascular HealthAngina PectorisArrhythmia and Mitral Valve ProlapseCardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart FailureBlood Lipid ElevationsHigh CholesterolHigh Triglycerides and Low HDL CholesterolHigh Lipoprotein(a)HypertensionBlood Sugar Imbalances: Diabetes and HypoglycemiaOverweight and ObesityNervous System DisordersAnxietyDepressionAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)HeadachesDigestive HealthCandida OvergrowthConstipation and DiverticulitisHeartburn (Esophageal Reflux)UlcersInflammatory Bowel DiseasesEnergy EnhancementChronic Fatigue SyndromeFibromyalgiaInfectious DiseasesUrinary Tract InfectionsAllergyPulmonary Health: Asthma, Bronchitis, and EmphysemaCancer PreventionCancer TherapyMen's Health ProblemsBenign Enlargement of the ProstateLow LibidoWomen's Health ProblemsCervical DysplasiaEndometriosis and Fibrocystic Breast DiseasePremenstrual SyndromeMenopausal SymptomsOsteoporosisGoutArthritisCarpal Tunnel SyndromeAutoimmune DiseaseSclerodermaMultiple SclerosisSkin ProblemsPeriodontal DiseaseVision HealthCataractsGlaucomaMacular DegenerationA Final ReminderGauntlet Throwing Makes for a Win-Win SituationSUPPLEMENT GUIDELINESEPILOGUEREFERENCESACKNOWLEDGMENTSINDEXABOUT THE AUTHORABOUT THE ATKINS CENTERABOUT ATKINS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES