Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution: Nature's Answer to Drugs

I've been an Atkins fan for decades, such a wise and humble man, and this book is STILL my go-to book on health and natural supplements. Unlike most books with a narrow focus or a specific perspective to tout, the book is exhaustive, and research-based; it carefully explains physiological and disease mechanisms, and the effects of a broad array of healing foods, vitamins, minerals, supplements, and herbs on both. It is comprehensive and detailed, but clear, lively, readable. Diverse- from Atkins' experience with different varieties of medicinal mushrooms to ayurvedic herbs and those used in Chinese medicine- and so much more. Note that the Atkins Diet ISN'T the subject of this book, though issues that relate are scattered here and there (e.g., sugar as an ANTI-nutrient, fats such as MCTs and butter as good for you). Chapter 1 alone is worth the price of the book. Atkins discusses medical history and how vitamins and other supplements came to be devalued in the first place. He pays homage to mentors Adele Davis, Gaylord Hauser and Carlton Fredericks, and explains how medicine can and should be truly complementary, with nutrition and supplements providing the first line of defense and pharmaceuticals used in crises, short-term fixes, utilized primarily to "block or abruptly change a bodily function." He wrote: "The best medical care will always emphasize enabling our bodies to heal themselves. How can it be appropriate for the first treatment of choice to be something that's potentially harmful [i.e., unnatural pharmaceuticals used over the long term] when there are safer, equally effective alternatives [natural supplements that boost the body's ability to heal itself]?" He provides a cogent explanation as to why different people need different supplements in different amounts (and cannot necessarily derive what they need from their diet, even a healthy one, at least before homeostasis is achieved). This book is jam-packed with essential information, there's not a wasted word in it. Recently, I tried an experiment- I looked up words in the index that are issues of current concern and discussion- they're nearly all there and discussed in detail, e.g., an exhaustive discussion of fats, including fatty acids, MCT oil, lauric acid, coconut oil, omega 3s/6s/9s, trans fats, etc. There are like discussions of the causes of inflammation, the importance of gut bacteria and probiotics/prebiotics on autoimmune and brain function, the importance of magnesium and potassium, environmental toxins and detoxification, yeast, processed foods, FOS (Yacon), DMSO, hyaluronic acid, BCAAs, you name it. The only issues I couldn't find in the index were pH (alkaline-acid imbalance), gluten, or Celiac's disease (though they may be there somewhere). Intriguingly, there are treatments for MS (e.g., involving prebiotics, and enzymes, p. 236) and other diseases Atkins discusses and personally utilized and deemed successful that I've not seen elsewhere. The book is extremely well-written and well-organized, and meticulously cross-referenced. For example, in the chapter on amino acids they are discussed in terms of their function as well as how supplementation benefits individual diseases. Later, in the section on ailments, specific amino acids will be mentioned again along with other nutrients and supplements indicated for a particular condition. You can look up virtually anything by its name, its function, or by the condition it treats. Throughout Atkins details what clinical research has shown on effectiveness (all studies/sources are listed in the appendix, by supplement). Moreover, the book is based on Atkins' professional practice, his treatment of thousands of patients (illustrative case histories are peppered throughout). And finally, Dr. Atkins provides guidelines for creating a personalized program of your own (and addresses every conceivable issue related thereto). Comprehensive, rigorous, wonderful- wouldn't be without it. Highest recommendation!

This book will be significant to anyone who wants to participate in their own healthcare. Dr. Atkins covers many topics of interest that are relevant to everyone. He not only explains each Vita-Nutrient and how it affects one’s health, but also recommends how it should be used, i.e., range of dosages, how it should be taken, and clarifies whether it should not be taken by certain individuals or whether there are dosage limits for certain individuals. It seems to me that he has covered all the bases as to questions a reader might want to have engaged.

I find myself referring back to this book so often and when I do I appreciate the knowledge Dr.Atkins really had. Considering the book was printed back in 1998 he was years ahead of the present day medical community. For instance he knew that following a low sodium diet really missed the whole point when related to reducing blood pressure. Blood pressure medicine often only made the underlying cause only worse ( see Drug Muggers: Which Medications Are Robbing Your Body of Essential Nutrients--and Natural Ways to Restore Them by Suzy Cohen (Feb 15, 2011) for cross references. Often over-looked by the medical establishment was the need for potassium in the diet. Also, potassium from supplements were a waste of effort since OTC pills only contain 3% of the RDA. He realized the need to eat the proper foods for this important nutrient. When's the last time you've heard of the forgotten Vitamin K. If you're like me,probably once or twice. Learn why it's so important and what foods contain it. Turmeric the spice, is popular these days but learn why it's rather weak for therapeutic use and why he recommended Curcumin instead. The list of interesting health topics and nutrient related information is truly astounding. I'm glad I own this important book.

My nutrition Bible! I have read it cover to cover, and have referred to it dozens of times since. I bought one for each of my brothers and all my children. I cannot say enough for this book. The world lost a great man when he died (from an accident.) The book is very well organized and the information, in many cases, is vitally important because he will point out bad as well as good. He gives recommended dosages -- information that is often lacking in other resources. The best thing to me is knowing that I may never have to turn to pharmaceuticals to correct many problems that actually turn out to be merely a lack of a certain nutrient. I am referring to things such blood pressure and cholesterol problems as well as allergies and asthma and skin or eye problems. I am 73 and do not take any prescription drugs, because I have no need. Knowledge is power. This book is packed with knowledge of what you need to be healthy. Buy it and read it and keep it close by for reference!

In my experience, it became obvious to me a few years ago that - for chronic ailments, like Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Hypothyroidism, etc. - I cannot rely on medical experts other than to get prescriptions for suppressing various symptoms. I started looking for answers on how could one possibly "heal" themselves. Out of all of the many books that I read sofar and continue reading daily, this one stands the tallest, and it's my constant reference. Various times I was impressed how new research results (on supplements or nutrients) confirm the validity of what Dr. Atkins wrote some time ago! I know he is perceived as "controversial" by some, and that's to be expected (the "sour grapes" syndrome). To me the guy was WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME. Like Dr. John Yudkin, who back in 1972 ("Pure, White and Deadly") warned about the danger of sugar - if anybody was listening. And because they didn't - look at the balooning in body fat population today... Well, Dr. Atkins is another trailblazer, and this is one of his best and most useful on a daily basis books.

my nutrition bible. Amazingly, after 30years there's not much out there ahead of him. Have looked, but find only that his ideas and innovations are just being caught up with. The FDA tried it's best to destroy him but couldn't. What people don't realise, is that the very thing that Dr, Atkins, was accused of i.e., not being scientific and not doing research, was so far from the truth, it's laughable! His whole institute was a research facility! OF THE BEST KIND. patients were examined from top to bottom, every kind of test given regularly to monitor progress on each visit especially at first. And all this done over a long period of time.........years. with dedicated researchers employed to look into every bit of relevant research from the distant past to the then present, He didn't have to risk his patients health with 'placebos' on a 'one off' single disease/disorder at a time! What a body of knowledge and 'evidence' he must have amassed. No wonder, given the way 'research' is conducted, that his results couldn't be matched. I love this book, it's so well written, so well set out and so easy to use. The information is beautifully accessible in a clear and interesting way. It has recently been brought to my attention that although written 30 years ago this book is still up to date and professional people are, without any mention of him, are picking up and following his work today. A few new things around the edges but the real meat is all Atkins.He treated his patients holistically.....the whole person, not just 'this disease' out of context. The Dr. Atkins Vita-Nutrient Solution book is his legacy to everyone. I myself would quite probably be writing this without his help from the grave. After a road accident had left me with a crippling brain injury, compounded over two years unable to do much for myself but stare at the walls and eat prepared junk food, I was about 63lbs/4½stone heavier,had odd instances of quick sharp pains in my head, couldn't get about easily, had taken to sleeping on the sofa downstairs as I couldn't get upstairs. My body felt so heavy, stiff and as though it was turning to stone. I couldn't move easily either, my brain was not able to process properly.. I could understand what people said but couldn't respond. it seemed as though I was interacting but I wasn't. I could say what I knew and wanted to say, to begin with I would have responses in my head but couldn't voice them, eventually, no ideas were sparked. If I could have processed the information at that time I would have been terrified, locked in my brain like that, fortunately for me I couldn't process the situation. Until these pains started and began to be more frequent, I stayed in this state. However these tiny, individual stabbing pains got my attention and I worried (for the first time) about my blood presure. I realised it was too high since I couldn't stop my pulse, no matter how much pressure I applied. I remembered this book, my memory wasn't much affected. It took time but I found it, It was very hard to read it, but I looked up help for the brain, that also took a long time to do, then follow the information and instructions. after about 7 months following instructions, as well as expanding to other aspects like BP I had enough recovery to get to my GP. Not a great visit, no real communication. She didn't really understand what I was trying to say. Shaken Baby syndrome was my best analogy. The results of my blood tests galvanised her into action, she tried to frighten me into taking statins, which I refused, preferring to drop dead if that were the case. Left to my GP, bless her, I'd be on almost every prescription drug known to man for all the things that were wrong with me by then. After a number of visits, I gave up in frustration and dedicated myself to Atkins Vita Nutrient Solution! Saved my life! over four years after the accident I feel about 22years old light and easy in my body full of beans, am healthy with the resting pulse rate of an athlete, BP down from the heavens, all working well no aches and pains except intermittently in my ankle and my sacro illiac joints which were injured in the accident, but are not much problem if I keep taking the relevant supplements. Haven't dropped down dead yet, planning not to. My brain still has not completely recovered but is still improving and I'm having a normal life. So forgive the case history, but do get the book, even if you don't open it like me, you may, also like me. The other thing is to photocopy the information and take it to your doctors so that they can be informed. They work hard and don't really have the leisure to look at much other than conventional medicine.

original book go for it

Firstly. the Solution in the title is not about a liquid, eg a vitamin solution. It is a solution in terms of an answer. Atkins has had so much negative media attention that it's hard to see past the headlines. But, he was a visionary. He was completely right about his Low carb diet. I myself have lost weight and so has anyone I know who tried it. Obesity and Diabetes are on the rise and it is due to refined carbohydrates - simple as that. Read his New Diet Revolution for more on that. And no, he didn't die of obesity! He fell on the ice going to work and cracked his skull which put him into a coma, and he was in no condition to control what his body did after that. Atkins was most certainly not a crank, he was an intellgent man who was prepared to ignore the mainstream diet advice to look at the facts. And so it is with this book. Honestly this book is such a gem of information. It is packed full with cures for so many conditions. Every sinew of your being will be screaming 'this can't be right'! We are programmed to believe that the only way we can get better is to take licenced drugs from the big pharma companies. But you will soon see that government agencies are actually out to supress information and ban natural substances - because big pharma can't make a huge profit from them - it is scary - but that's what billions of dollars and corruption will get you. So keep an open mind, and try some of vitamins and nutrient solutions in this book. None are harmful, you have nothing to lose. I was initially sceptical, but have seen several of these solutions work, with no side effects at all. For example, from my experience - Vitamin A for Leukoplakia, DMSO for joint pain, 5 HTP for winter depression (SAD), Saw palmetto for prostate trouble. I hope more and more doctors read this book and look closely at the scientific proof which is available to back it up. The trouble is, doctors are trained to use licensed medicines, so they are pretty much brainwashed from the start. It will just take a little effort on their part to see past this, and give these new ideas a go.

Really informative book. Can read it all. Or just reference it from time to time. This info is stuff many doctors do not know and it's crucial to our well being.