Isopure is the protein powder brand I am using also. It was recommended to a friend of mine by her bariatric surgeon when she had her gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago. She was drinking one ounce of isopure every 30 minutes for the first few days after her surgery (plus water and supplements.....sounds familiar, LOL).

I bought the exact same kind and it is:

Perfect Zero Carb Isopure with 50 grams of 100% ion exchange whey protein isolate in Creamy Vanilla.

It dissolves easily in water. 2 scoops has 210 calories, 1g fat 0 g carb 50 g protein plus vitamins.

alrighty...
 

Okay, so I'm finally getting back to you Birman, thanks for your patience. I was SOOO PISSED, when my message got deleted like seconds before it was sent at three AM, and Iwas too pist and tired to re-type it. Anyway, I did a couple of hours of research on low carb diets and pre-mature hair graying or just expedited hair graying, and there wasn't alot of information that was DIRECTLY linking the two by means of scientific research ( I'm looking for something a little more concrete than people in other forums- lol) Anywho, after awhile, I started deconstructing the problem and juxtaposing the general anwsers I was getting with your current scenario and was trying to find some common theme's of what could possibly be happening, and this is what I came up with.
Basically, on everything I looked up, the first and foremost factor in graying hair is genetics (DUH) but then almost always it was quickly followed by stating that diet is essential and can cause gray hair, by depriving your body of the vitamins and minerals it needs. And usually said that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential to healthy hair and to put off graying hair. Now, I know you are taking vitamins and supplements, but here is the thing- alot of vitamins have either a very low absorption rate or none at all. Sometimes they are just very expensive fiber. And I would say that with your hair turning so gray, so suddenly and with such a llarge patch that your body is telling you that its missing something, so I think that you aren't getting enough vitsmins and minerals. Another thing to know is most vitamins will not be absorbed without vitamin D, and its usually best to take it with your vitamins in liquid form or most of them don't get absorbed into your system. Investing in a good liquid vitamin is usually the best way to go, as it is usually absorbed in 5 minutes or less through the lining of your stomach, You can get some of those from Waiora. Personally the best one I have found and usuaally take is Juice Plus, it has all dehydrated fruits and vegetables in the two pills and all the research shows that it DOES get in your blood stream and generates good effects in the body. Its not a segmented vitamin- it is literally dehydrated fruits and vegetables in a capsule- its revolutionary and I can literally tell a difference when I take it. Now I haven't taken it in the past two weeks just because I was afraid It might affect my ketosis- but it only has five calories in it and I am going to ask my doctor if I can because I believe its just fiber in the capsules and booy it really makes a difference.
Now, this might not be exactly the response you were looking for but I researched for two and a half hours and found that was the biggest common factors between your situation and the research I was looking up- DIET WAS STRESSED LIKE CRAZY- for the vitamins and minerals- because without it your hair is not nourished and it will go gray without it and I think that could be a possibility, I would look into finding a better vitamin with a better absorption rate and some stuides supporting that it gets into the blood stream and also Vitamins like Biotin- B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids are very good for hair health and you might want to think about taking those. I just got some Omega 3's.

Also, on another request I was doing research on serotonin levels, and low carb diets DEFINATELY can affect serotonin levels especially in women and one of the main signs of that is HEADACHE, so it is possible that could be where that is coming from. Since serotonin is usually formed mostly from carbohydrates raising your insulin and setting off the precursor tryptophan to start generating more serotonin. Alot of low carbers- more women than men, have a big drop in serotonin, and that causes headaches- well one of many things... but I know youve been struggling with the headaches so I just thought I would Let you know. I'm going to be doing a bigger post with my findings on the weekly IP thread.

Also, the name of the protein is Zero Carb Isopure. And I did some research on it and found it on some medical websites and it was generally recommended as the top one for patients going on ketogenic diets, to enhance their ketosis, from doctors. Alot of patients undergoing gastric bypass have to go on a ketogenic diet before and after and that specific protein blend (and Isopure Syntax) was quoted numerous times on different websites. So, I was happy to see that, outside of what I've read about it from the company and on forums. I also invested in some kool-aid like Isopure ready to drink bottles, that were at GNC and got them for 75% off and they are not bad- they have 40g of protein no fat or carbs and I like to add some water and ice to the mixture.... but I'm going to see how its going since yesterday was the first day I was incorporating the Isopure in and not doing JUST IP PRODUCTS! eek! I'm a little scared, but HOPEFUL! God I hope it works, cause those products are expensive, especially if you are doing just packets.

Hey, I'm all for just sticking to the principals of the diet, I just want to find something so similar that my body won't miss a beat in my weightloss- I don't want it to slow down... Id rather have phase one over with faster... even if it does cost a fortune- but I'm hoping I've found a good substitute so I don't have to buy 4-5 boxes a week- its like high way robbery to be starving. (which is another sign of low serotonin)- I definately think mine are low- FOR SURE.

Anywho, I'm pumped about the book!!! I'll be able to PM in 2 more days I think--- the 30th.... so the countdown begins!!:D

just want to say hello here on this thread, I just switched to phase 2 for IP and am hoping to be at or below my goal weight by the end end of this week so I can switch to phase 3 on Saturday. I'm using the ideas posted here as motivation for what I will be able to eat soon, and even better in maintenance. I know I'm not quite officially on maintenance or other diets, but I'm getting there. As there is a slight chance I will be in phase 3 for easter, I would be really curious as to what everyone is planning on the various diets, maintenance and more on here for this holiday. No matter what phase i'm in, it's going to be tough, and I'm not sure how much assistance I will get from my remote coach (Idealtogo) She is awesome with encouragement, support on the diet, etc, but I've emailed a couple times regarding Easter with no response.

I'm also wondering if anyone has any recipe ideas for a salad (my contribution to easter) that will follow a lot of the principles I'm seeing with IP, NCNS, and more but my whole family will eat!!

Thanks!:p

MTG, thanks for that awesome post.

Birman, this is just anecdotal but I used to have a friend in her 80's that had no gray hair at all and she was an amateur nutritionist. She used to write articles for the our health food store newsletter. She attributed her lack of gray to taking copper supplements.

Babs, for Easter I would make your regular salad but bring an awesome homemade vinaigrette. There is a great recipe for one on the IP recipe thread called Mom's Dressing.

Update: I gained 4 pounds on Phase III and my favorite jeans are getting tight soooooooo I'm back on Phase I as of this morning. I am only going to be on it for 2 weeks and then I plan to carefully go through the phases again.

I have to admit I had fast forwarded to Phase III and therefore didn't really "learn" all the proper steps towards maintenance.

At this point, my goal is to "rest and heal" my pancreas again. I am grateful for this forum and all the support and enthusiasm we have here.

Swilk -- we haven't seen you here since you had your ultrasound. That's about a week an a half ago. I hope you're doing okay.

MTG and Lilita, thank you for the suggestion to up our water drinking even further if we have headaches. I did that -- have been up to a gallon a day for the past few days, and my headaches are starting to get better. Fingers crossed that that continues!

MTG, thanks for all the info about gray hair! The mineral content of my multi-vitamin looks decent, but I might just do what you suggest and get a liquid format. :) Lilita, I'll make sure it has copper. I've been told to take zinc, tyrosine, and bromeline as well. I'm going to be so full of supplements I won't have room for food!

Babs, nice to see you here. :)

Lilita, I wouldn't worry at all about 4 lbs. I always estimate an increase of 5 lbs after coming off a low carb diet. It's not fat. Though...if your favorite jeans are tight, it probably doesn't matter to you whether it is fat or not.

MTG, on the other thread I read that you weren't feeling too well. :( You mentioned tiredness. Are you getting enough potassium and enough calories? You also mentioned depression. Have you been taking your Omega 3's?

Just wanted to say that I will be posting on the Alternate Phase I thread while mostly just reading the main thread.

I am feeling too strung-out (LOL) following too many threads.

I love you all!

Me too, Lilita -- too many threads. I would stick more to the Alternate thread, except I thought it would be rude and unsupportive to post there about foods I can eat on a non-IP diet. Maybe, though, I will stick more to over there, and just not post about foods.

Hey guys,

So I am taking three major breaks in May, all one day, all for seperate birthday celebrations for myself. My bf's mom wants to make me a special birthday dinner, my friends want to celebrate, and my dad wants me to eat something carby for once with him.

My coach told me she would transition me to phase 2 and 3 next month so that my body wouldn't go into shock when I do this. Has anyone else heard the same thing? Cause I was hoping to just stay on Phase 1 and cheat those three days...

Sarkbait, Lyle McDonald who wrote the Ketogenic Diet book also wrote a book called "A Guide to Flexible Dieting". He talks about three different kinds of breaks: free meals, structured refeeds, and the full diet break. You are talking about a "free meal" kind of break. He didn't say anything about the body going into any kind of problematic "shock" when taking a break. To my recollection he said that it was good to take a break because it helps reset the hormones that regulate the body's weight set point. If it was me, I'd do exactly what you are suggesting --stay on Phase 1 and just take a break those days.

I think you can post about whatever you want! It is an "Alternate" thread after all.

other books...
 

I,too, am a bit of a bookworm myself- as you are Birman- and i was wondering if you are readding the other books written by Lyle McDonald as well or did you just scan it for an overview of its content?

Hi - I've also had constipation while on IP diet! It's so good to see that someone else out there is going through this too. My coach says to increase the veggies, which I'm not going to do...this will make the constipation/stomach discomfort worse. I had no idea this could be related to the whey in the packets! Thanks for the info.

alright, well it looks like this is more of my main forum now- since my doctor yanked me off the IP diet- they were starting to get very concerned- I was having very bad reaactions, which they hadn't seen before and he said it wasn't worth it, and finally I agreed. My coach had been saying it from week 2, she was worried - because of HOW MUCH it changed me- it was unfortunate. Oh well. I still lost 19 pounds and I'm getting P90X in the mail on Monday and thats more up my alley anyway- I went to a Muay thai session yesterday and I WAS SO EXCITED- ELATED! I'm feeling alot better- but I am going to be watching what I eat and following a meal plan with P90x but with as active as I am- I have to have some carbs- or apparently- my body does not do well- meh. I WISH I COULD HAVE LOST MORE ON IT! but for some weird reason my body just rejected it.

Sorry to hear you are no longer on IP :( but hey, you have to do what works for you!

Keep me posted on the P90X too... you know I'm more into actually DOING something ;-)

Just started this diet
 

I am on day 4 and it has been very difficult for me. I have no energy, feel very light headed, and have flu like symptoms. I hope this goes away soon, I can deal with the hunger, but the light headedness is very difficult. I am even afraid to drive. Pls tell me is going to get easier....