Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 243631

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Depression and Protein Supplements

Posted by Optimistic on July 20, 2003, at 6:33:23

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.

 

Re: Depression and Protein Supplements

Posted by SLS on July 20, 2003, at 7:43:52

In reply to Depression and Protein Supplements, posted by Optimistic on July 20, 2003, at 6:33:23

> 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.


In my estimation, I think such a thing is conceivable, but probably not that common. For some people, the artificial sweetener, aspartame, produces depression and anxiety. Aspartame is a combination of aspartatic acid and phenylalanine. During digestion, it is broken down into these two amino acids, and is used by the body in exactly the same way as if they were taken as a food supplement.

http://www.aspartame.org/aspartame_facts.html

Although this might not pertain to you, anabolic steroids produce depression in a significant number of people who take them.


- Scott

 

Opti, Depression and Protein Supplements

Posted by McPac on July 20, 2003, at 14:25:28

In reply to Depression and Protein Supplements, posted by Optimistic on July 20, 2003, at 6:33:23

Was wondering if you used any other muscle-building products that really worked & added size and muscle? Any good products to recommend? Thanks!

 

Re: Opti, Depression and Protein Supplements

Posted by OPTIMISTIC on July 21, 2003, at 8:53:01

In reply to Opti, Depression and Protein Supplements, posted by McPac on July 20, 2003, at 14:25:28

No, I don't use anything else. I just work out hard and depend on the extra protein to help regenerate the muscle. I am just leary that the extra protein might have some amino acids in them that are not good for anxiety and depression.

 

Re: Depression and Protein Supplements

Posted by Bill L on July 21, 2003, at 9:53:54

In reply to Depression and Protein Supplements, posted by Optimistic on July 20, 2003, at 6:33:23

I take powdered whey every morning. All the medical stuff that I have read indicates that a high protein diet is good for fighting depression. I'm not sure about the additives that you mentioned but my guess would be that your diet is not contributing to anxiety or depression.

 

Re: Depression and Protein Supplements

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.
>
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.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.