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.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: The Cat's Out of the Bag

PART I
NUTRIENTS VS. DRUGS
CHAPTER 1 The Treatment of Choice
The Gratifications of Nutritional Medicine
Case Histories Provide Scientific Data
Treatment of Choice Defined
Enablers vs. Blockers: Complementary Therapy
A Brief History of Nutrition
Beyond Deficiency
CHAPTER 2 When Our Nutrition Fails Us
Diet-Related Disorders
Food Falls Short
The Refining Predicament
Sugar: The Antinutrient
Other Assaults
The Vita-Nutrient Naysayers
The Countermovement Becomes a Revolution
My Own Transformation
The Vita-Nutrient Information Explosion

PART II
THE VITA-NUTRIENTS
CHAPTER 3 Vitamins
Vitamin A: Infection fighter, skin protector
Carotenoids: Cancer and heart protectors, antioxidant
B Complex: The energy team
Vitamin B1: Brain energizer
Vitamin B2: Antioxidant, energizer, and team player
Vitamin B3: Restores sanity, controls cholesterol, repairs joints, controls diabetes
Vitamin B6: The most essential B vitamin
Folic Acid: Our most significant deficiency
Vitamin B12: The vitality shot
Choline and Lecithin: Nerve rebuilder
Inositol: Nature's sleeping pills
Pantethine/Pantothenic Acid: Better than cholesterol drugs
PABA: Energizer, stiffness fighter
Biotin: Diabetes benefactor
Vitamin C: The nutrient that does it all
Bioflavonoids: The first family of antioxidants
Vitamin D: Bone benefactor
Vitamin E: The chief executive antioxidant
Tocotrienols: The undiscovered antioxidants
Vitamin K: The key to bone health
CHAPTER 4 Minerals
Calcium: Bone builder
Magnesium: The heart's most important mineral
Potassium: Our most valuable electrolyte
Iron: The double-edged sword
Zinc: Immune booster, wound healer
Copper: Rheumatoid arthritis reliever
Manganese: The cell protector
Iodine: Thyroid fuel
Chromium: Blood sugar balancer
Vanadium: Diabetes therapy
Selenium: Anticancer antioxidant
Molybdenum: Detoxifier, purifier
Boron: Sex hormone and bone provider
Silicon: Skin, hair, and nails provider
Germanium: Oxygen deliverer
CHAPTER 5 Amino Acids
Arginine: Immune booster
Glutamine: Master protein builder, gut restorer
Lysine: Herpes fighter
Phenylalanine: Be happy, feel no pain
Tyrosine: Antidepressant
GABA: The perfect tranquilizer
Methionine: Antidepressant, liver helper
Glutathione, N-Acetyl Cysteine: Master antioxidants
Taurine: Edema, high blood pressure, seizure fighter
Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine: Muscle fuel
Histidine: Arthritis aid
Tryptophan: The best sleeping pill not on the market
Carnitine: The fat burner
Acetyl L-Carnitine: Brain energizer
CHAPTER 6 Fatty Acids
Essential Fats: Our greatest deficiency
The Omega-3s: The very good fats
DHA: Brain fat
Flaxseed Oil: The king of the vegetable oils
Gamma-Linolenic Acid: The good omega-6 fat
CHAPTER 7 Fat-Based Nutrition
Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Fats for energy and weight loss
Squalene: Oxygenator, cancer fighter
Glycerol Monolaurate: Antiviral therapy
Alkylglycerols: Inflammation, cancer fighter
Cetyl Myristoleate: The real arthritis cure
CHAPTER 8 Digestive Aids
Fiber: Roughage to live well
Beneficial Bacteria: Our gut's true protectors
Digestive Aids: Make our food available
FOS: The beneficial sugars
Charcoal: Poison absorber
CHAPTER 9 Nutrient-Dense Superfoods: All of Nature's Nutrients
Barley and Wheat Grass Juice: The essence of sprouting grains
Chlorella: The chlorophyll connection
Spirulina: The blue-green algae
Bee Products: Pollen, propolis, and royal jelly
CHAPTER 10 Vita-Nutrients with Unique Roles
Coenzyme Q10: The vital nutrient
Lipoic Acid: Proven diabetic treatment
Phosphatidyl Serine: The smart nutrient
DMSO: The healing penetrant
Calcium AEP: The most underrated nutrient; autoimmune savior
Creatine: What muscles are made of
Octacosanol: Reliable brain fuel
Gamma-Oryzanol: The ulcer healer
DMG: Fatigue fighter, autism conqueror
Trimethylglycine: Methyl donor, homocysteine fighter
NADH: The cell energizer
CHAPTER 11 Cartilage-Building Nutrients
Shark and Bovine Cartilage: Arthritis therapy, cancer hope
Glucosamine: Osteoarthritis's best treatment
Chondroitin Sulfate: How joints get well
Sea Cucumber: Joint reliever
CHAPTER 12 Hormones and Glandulars
DHEA: The mother hormone
Pregnenolone: The grandmother hormone
Melatonin: The mystery of the pineal
Glandular Extracts: Can the organ do the job?
CHAPTER 13 Herbs
Multipurpose Herbs
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginseng
Cat's Claw
Aloe Vera
Licorice
Garlic
Ginger
Turmeric
Immune-Enhancing Herbs
Medicinal Mushrooms
Mistletoe
Astragalus
Pau d'Arco
Infection Fighters
Echinacea
Goldenseal
Olive Leaf
Oil of Oregano
Tea Tree Oil
Cardiovascular Herbs
Hawthorn
Coleus forskohlii
Bromelain
Capsaicin
Guggulipid
Cactus (Night-Blooming Cereus)
Metabolic Herbs
Milk Thistle
Fenugreek
Gymnema Sylvestre
Herbs for Men
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Pygeum Africanum
Yohimbe
Herbs for Women
Black Cohosh
Mexican Yam (Dioscorea)
Vitex (Vitex agnus castus)
Brain Stimulants
St.-John's-Wort (Hypericum)
Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Gotu Kola
Mental Relaxants
Kava
Valerian
Single-Purpose Herbs
Cranberry
Feverfew
Bilberry

PART III
TARGETED VITA-NUTRIENT THERAPY
CHAPTER 14 Applying the Program
Treating Your Health Problems with Vita-Nutrients
The Natural vs. Synthetic Controversy
Targeting Your Nutrition
How to Use the Vita-Nutrient Treatments
CHAPTER 15 The Vita-Nutrient Solutions
Cardiovascular Conditions
Heart and Vascular Health
Angina Pectoris
Arrhythmia and Mitral Valve Prolapse
Cardiomyopathy and Congestive Heart Failure
Blood Lipid Elevations
High Cholesterol
High Triglycerides and Low HDL Cholesterol
High Lipoprotein(a)
Hypertension
Blood Sugar Imbalances: Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
Overweight and Obesity
Nervous System Disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Headaches
Digestive Health
Candida Overgrowth
Constipation and Diverticulitis
Heartburn (Esophageal Reflux)
Ulcers
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Energy Enhancement
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Infectious Diseases
Urinary Tract Infections
Allergy
Pulmonary Health: Asthma, Bronchitis, and Emphysema
Cancer Prevention
Cancer Therapy
Men's Health Problems
Benign Enlargement of the Prostate
Low Libido
Women's Health Problems
Cervical Dysplasia
Endometriosis and Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Premenstrual Syndrome
Menopausal Symptoms
Osteoporosis
Gout
Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Autoimmune Disease
Scleroderma
Multiple Sclerosis
Skin Problems
Periodontal Disease
Vision Health
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
A Final Reminder
Gauntlet Throwing Makes for a Win-Win Situation
SUPPLEMENT GUIDELINES
EPILOGUE
REFERENCES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INDEX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE ATKINS CENTER
ABOUT ATKINS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES