Posted by Ethel Basset on July 22, 2003, at 23:51:05
In reply to Depression and Protein Supplements, posted by Optimistic on July 20, 2003, at 6:33:23
Hi
I personally think that the high ratio of protein in your diet COULD be contributing to your depression. I state this from personal experience, not as a nutritionist or a physician.
I don't know if this is atypical, but I know that I get depressed and anxious and irritiable if I try to go on a very high protein diet with very low carbs. It sounds like you suffer from the same problem that I have.
For instance, everyone at work is on the Atkins diet and having great success, but I have never been able to stick to that diet. I get very irritable and depressed and weird feeling on just protein. I feel much better if I add some carbs.
My endocrinologist said that our brains need carbohydrates to function (and carbs are necessary in order to produce serotonin which contributes to our mental well-being and calmness). She wants me to follow a 40-30-30 diet, which is a balanced diet that contains (I think this is the right ratio) 40% protein, 30% carbohydrate and 30% fat. But one should also eat protein whenever one eats carbohydrates in order to keep the blood sugar from spiking and to prevent hyper-insulinism.
There are many books on the 40-30-30 balanced diet out there.
Bottom line: I too suffer from depression when I eat a high protein diet with little carbohydrates and I can relate to how you have been feeling. I think that for some of us, too much protein and not enough carbs CAN contribute to depression.
Why not try a diet that is balanced with protein AND carbohydrates. See how you feel. Carbs also help one sleep at night.
Good luck and God Bless You.
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I have been battling with depression and anxiety for many years. I am an avid weightlifter and as such eat a very high protein diet and take protein supplements in the form of powders for making shakes. All of these protein supplements contain glutamte, aspartate, phenylalanine, tyrosine etc. I was wondering if these amino acids could be contributing to the depression and anxiety and if I would be better served to lower my protein intake.
poster:Ethel Basset
thread:243631
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030718/msgs/244401.html