hi Traci,

It's possible that you're having a reaction to an ingredient in the vitamins, and not the vitamins themselves. For instance, many of the B-complex vitamins are produced in nutritional yeasts ... so if you have a yeast sensitivity, you'd do best to choose another form.

Also, vitamin B3 (niacin) is known to cause flushing, redness and a rash-like condition after taking it. It's harmless, and people usually develop tolerance fairly quickly. You can also try switching to a brand that uses niacinamide, which won't cause the flush reaction.

Low-carb diets will work just fine if you don't take vitamins, but you'll need to be meticulous to ensure that you choose plenty of vitamin- and mineral-rich foods. Eat proteins from a variety of sources - red meats, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts (but not on Induction). Make sure you eat plenty of different vegetables from the Allowed Foods list, not just iceberg lettuce, which has very little nutrition in it.

Just be aware that certain vitamins and minerals can't be obtained in sufficient quantities from the foods we eat. Calcium is a good example of this ... RDA is 1000 - 1500mg per day, depending on stage of life. Vitamin E is another. Also, many trace minerals are deficient in the average diet, not just LC.

For low-carbers, especially during Induction, there's a chance you might become depleted in potassium and magnesium, because ketosis and drinking lots of water can flush the minerals out in the urine. If you start feeling weak, dizzy, headachey, leg cramps, muscle fatigue ... you'd be wise to start taking supplements of those minerals, at least for the early weeks. Fish provide some magnesium, so have it often. Nuts provide a little more, but they're not permitted during Induction. Avocadoes, broccoli and salmon are good sources of potassium.


hth,

Doreen