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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:09:31
nothing we didn't already know already, 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
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2594996
Posted by joebob on March 1, 2004, at 11:37:02
In reply to Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression', posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:09:31
i saw atkins last interview and know too mnay people on the high protein low carb diet, and the paleolithic diet who are happy and strong to really beleive the article you site
best,
joebob
Posted by RAINYDAY on March 1, 2004, at 17:18:12
In reply to jrbecker..........good to hear from you again, but, posted by joebob on March 1, 2004, at 11:37:02
Hmmmm... the only people I know on this diet were fine to begin with, and endured no emtional problems that I know of. I tried it and I felt the most intense carb cravings of my life. None of the folks I work with had this reaction. I am hoping that more research will show that it is how much you eat that makes a difference, not WHAT you eat. Skipping fruits and carbs really does not sit right with me. Kinda counter intuitive.
Posted by Jai Narayan on March 1, 2004, at 18:26:04
In reply to Re: jrbecker..........good to hear from you again, but, posted by RAINYDAY on March 1, 2004, at 17:18:12
Most of my family is on or has been on the diet for weight loss. You give up more than carbs. you have to stop coffee and caffeine as well as sugar. It's a lot to give all that up. I have done it now for a few months and lost some weight. I feel great after a steak. I seem to need meat. I feel tired when I eat sugar, coffee and pasta. I feel cranky when I am eating too much. I needed to stop and change my intake. I now respect the carbs and don't abuse them. I had just lost focus and a real sense of my body. This diet has made me happy and a lot more in shape. I exercise everyday.
The weight seems to be very difficult to get off after menopause. So I am struggling but feeling better.
My cholesterol is down. I have lost 9lbs. I want to keep them off.
My niece had the gastric by pass...she lost 160lbs last year. I am envious but that is too drastic for me. The operation would scare me.
So I am one of the happy people. thanks for asking and sharing all the information.
Posted by Wolf Dreamer on March 4, 2004, at 8:07:55
In reply to Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression', posted by jrbecker on March 1, 2004, at 10:09:31
[quote] “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.”[/quote]
If you have candida you have those problems, and sugars and starch feed candida, giving you temporary relief from it, since thats what feeds it. When you stop giving it what it wants, you have sugar cravings and such, you get and you get irritable and have other problems they mentioned.
Why don't they just take identical twins, and feed each one something differant, and see the differance in them?
And howe exactly do you measure serotonin? Do they have a machine to see inside your brain, and could the results they see be caused by something else?
Posted by Jai Narayan on March 5, 2004, at 7:17:10
In reply to Re: Atkins Diet 'Causes Mood Swings and Depression', posted by Wolf Dreamer on March 4, 2004, at 8:07:55
> [quote] “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.”[/quote]
*I want something in the afternoon, always have now I use a Natures Plus Keto bar and that seems to satisfy my need. Is it low blood sugar? I'm not hypoglycemic.
Luckily I don't have the mood problems with low carbs. I did used to have energy problems with an over indulgance in carbs. When I ate carbs and or sugar I just wanted to eat more. Now at least I am totally aware of my carb in take.My whole family has mood disorders. I am not sure why but we all feel better when we eat very little carbs. and give up sugar.
Plus Atkins has some of the best recipes I have ever cooked.
I don't go for the chemicals for the sugar replacements. I like the pure white stevia. I wish there could be hunky milk chocolate bars with stevia as the sweetner.
Okay I have gotten side tracked.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 10, 2004, at 9:14:51
In reply to Atkins Diet seems to help my family, posted by Jai Narayan on March 5, 2004, at 7:17:10
I, too, am one of the many people who thrive on a restricted-carbohydrate diet. My entire family is the same way. Diets based on the recommendations of that ridiculous food pyramid make me grouchy, fatigued, and generally incapable of functioning. Low glycemic index diets are an improvement, but still can't hold a candle to the Atkins program for me. When my carb intake is ultra-low, my medication requirements plummet, I get *fantastic* sleep, wake up at 5:00AM every morning feeling wonderfully energetic (and I usually utilize this energy to go jogging and lift weights), and of course there are the "side-benefits" of losing 15-20 pounds a month (at least) and vastly improving my cholesterol, triglycerides, and overall internal functioning and metabolism, as has been proven to me by all the bloodwork I've had done. Of course not everyone reacts the same way, but most people do share my experience with this diet.
As for that particular article, I find it to be extremely faulty in that it is making two false assumptions: 1) low serotonin = low mood, and 2) what's good for one person is good for another. As for fault number one, I have only to cite the incredible effectiveness of tianeptine, the serotonin reuptake *enhancer*, in so, so many people with emotional disturbances. And regarding problem two, well... pretty self-explanatory, I think.
Posted by joebob on March 11, 2004, at 11:30:22
In reply to My experience, and the problem with this article, posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 10, 2004, at 9:14:51
do you have any side effects?
where do you get it?
do you use any ssri's with it?
please tell me a little more before i try it.thanks,
joebob
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