South Beach Diet Supplements: Do You Need Them?

Though it is a healthy diet that includes all the food groups, South Beach diet supplements can be necessary during Phase 1 of the diet, and potentially a good idea for people with certain health conditions.

South Beach Diet Supplements Recommended by Dr Agatston

Dr. Arthur Agatston is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Medical School and the author of The South Beach Diet (Rodale Inc., 2003), as well as a number of other books on the South Beach diet. He designed the diet to meet the criteria for healthy eating for his heart patients who were overweight and needed to lower their cholesterol. It is a diet that includes in lean protein, whole grains, low fat dairy, and fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. Along with the South Beach diet, supplements can be taken to make sure you get enough vitamins, calcium, and fiber.

A Daily Multivitamin

Taking a daily multivitamin ensures that you are the recommended Daily Value (DV) of vitamins and minerals. You will want to make sure you get the major ones such as vitamins B, C, D, and E, and folic acid, plus a range of minerals. No matter what your current phase of the South Beach diet, supplements can include up to 100 percent of the DV.

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Dr. Agatston says: “I recommend a multivitamin along with omega-3 dietary supplements. Ensure that you’re getting a good dose of omega-3 fatty acids by using flaxseed oil daily as a supplement, or by taking omega-3 supplements. This essential fatty acid protects heart health.”

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A Calcium Supplement

Calcium strengthens bones and supports critical functions in your body such as controlling blood pressure, and is needed for muscles and nerves to function properly, and even for blood to clot. If there is not enough calcium in the blood, then the body will take calcium from bones, which causes them to weaken. When your dietary calcium intake is too low, it can contribute significantly to osteoporosis.

It would be ideal if you could get all the calcium you need from food instead of supplements. The South Beach Diet recommends you take calcium daily since most people don’t get enough of this important nutrient to continually replenish the calcium in their bones. Calcium Carbonate (Tums, Rolaids, Caltrate 600) is the most recommended and affordable form, while Calcium Citrate is more expensive but better for people with ulcers.

A Fiber Supplement

When Supplements Are Appropriate

While taking supplements on the South Beach diet may be unnecessary for many people, there are many of us who should be taking them. For example, these types of supplements are usually recommended for anyone who is pregnant, post menopausal, a vegan or vegetarian, has a low daily calorie count (less than 1,200 a day for women, or 1,600 a day for men), have certain medical conditions such as food allergies or intolerance, or have chronic diarrhea. As always, talk to your personal physician about taking any of these South Beach diet supplements and their dosage before beginning your diet program.

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