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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:08:05
nothing we didn't already know, but reinforcing to hear nonetheless...
Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression'By Lyndsay Moss, Health Correspondent, PA News
Low carbohydrate regimes like the Atkins diet could lead to mood swings and depression and leave slimmers feeling like “an emotional zombie”, researchers have claimed.The controversial high-protein, low-carb Atkins diet has prompted criticism from many doctors who fear it could increase the risk of long-term health problems such as kidney damage, high cholesterol and diabetes.
More research in America has now suggested it could also affect mental health, leaving dieters feeling grumpy, tired, apathetic and restless.
Dr Judith Wurtman and her colleagues, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) clinical research centre, found that when you stop eating carbohydrates, your brain stops regulating serotonin.
This chemical elevates mood and suppresses appetite, and eating carbohydrates naturally stimulates its production.
Antidepressant drugs make serotonin more active in the brain and help regulate mood.
But carbohydrates raise serotonin levels naturally, acting as a natural tranquilliser.
The MIT research looked at serotonin levels in the brains of 100 volunteers who ate different diets, either with a lot of meat and other high-protein foods, or with more carbohydrates, found in breads and cereals.
They found that the brain only made serotonin after a person ate sweet or starchy carbohydrates.
But they said the “kicker” was that the carbohydrates needed to be eaten in combination with very little or no protein.
This could explain why some people eating a large steak could still feel hungry because their brains may not be making enough serotonin to shut down their appetites.
Because women have less serotonin in their brains than men, a diet low in foods which promote its production could leave them feeling particularly irritable.
Dr Wurtman said: “There are people we call carbohydrate cravers who need to eat a certain amount of carbohydrates to keep their moods steady.
“Carbohydrate cravers experience a change in their mood, usually in the late afternoon or mid-evening, and with this mood change comes a yearning to eat something sweet or starchy.”
Dr Wurtman said if someone ate protein when they craved carbohydrates they would become grumpy, irritable or restless.
On top of this, filling up on fatty foods like meat and cheese added to feelings of tiredness, lethargy and apathy.
Dr Wurtman said eating a lot of fat would make you “an emotional zombie”.
“When you take away the carbohydrates, it’s like taking away water from someone hiking in the desert.
“If fat is the only alternative for a no– or low-carb dieter to consume to satiate the cravings, it’s like giving a beer to the parched hiker to relieve the thirst – temporary relief, but ultimately not effective,” she said.
Dr Wurtman added: “Serotonin is crucial not only to control your appetite and stop you from overeating, it’s essential to keep your moods regulated
Posted by Dinah on March 1, 2004, at 19:42:41
In reply to Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression', posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:08:05
That's in keeping with my own experience. I've never been able to stick to the diet for longer than a week or two. Starting Sunday my usually even tempered self would become a nail spitting terror on Wednesday afternoon and never recover. Perhaps if I had stuck it out long enough.
But my husband has forbidden me to ever ever go on that diet again on pain of divorce.
Posted by tabitha on March 1, 2004, at 22:36:11
In reply to Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression', posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:08:05
That's my experience too. I don't do well on low-carb. I sink quickly into depression.
Posted by Wildflower on March 2, 2004, at 8:28:53
In reply to Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression', posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:08:05
I've had the same experience. My friends and coworkers cringe every time I say I'm on a diet - especially a low carb one. It makes me very cranky when I can't have my sugary sweet carbs, breads, pasta and potatoes.
You know how some people use the excuse "well, it's her time of the month" when a female is being a witch? Not the most appropriate thing to say but it does happen. The people around me now say "oh, don't mind her, she's on a diet." Nice, huh?
Posted by tinydancer on March 5, 2004, at 3:56:14
In reply to Re: Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression' » jrbecker, posted by Dinah on March 1, 2004, at 19:42:41
I think any diet is going to cause major mood swings and depression. Overloading your system with protein or depriving it of carbohydrates just isn't going to have any positive outcome. The sad truth is there is only one way to lose weight, and that's the boring way: daily motion, less sugar, and small, but regular meals throughout the day. Although there is always going to be a small portion of folks that respond to diets but I don't think the results are ever permanent.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 19, 2004, at 13:50:44
In reply to Re: Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression' » jrbecker, posted by Dinah on March 1, 2004, at 19:42:41
Posted by whisper55 on March 19, 2004, at 12:14:41
In reply to Re: Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression' » jrbecker, posted by Dinah on March 1, 2004, at 19:42:41
Anyone who has diabeties should not do atkins, it landed me in the hospital, didn't realize a drastic drop in blood sugar can put you out cold.
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