Atkins 'can put you in bad mood'

BBC ^ | 1 March, 20041 March, 2004

[traumer]

The Atkins diet - and others that limit carbohydrates - are likely to put you in a bad mood, research has found.

A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has found carbohydrates help to stimulate production of a key brain chemical called serotonin.

It controls our emotions, and a shortage can lead to mood swings and depression. The Atkins diet has become hugely popular despite concerns over its effect on health.

Some experts are concerned about whether it might trigger diabetes and kidney damage in the long term.

Researcher Dr Judith Wurtman said: "When serotonin is made and becomes active in your brain, its effect on your appetite is to make you feel full before your stomach is stuffed and stretched.

"But serotonin is crucial not only to control your appetite and stop you from overeating; it's essential to keep your moods regulated."

Antidepressant medications are designed to make serotonin more active in the brain and extend that activity for longer periods of time to assist in regulating moods. Because carbohydrates raise serotonin levels naturally they effectively act like a natural tranquilizer.

The MIT team discovered that the brain makes serotonin only after a person consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates.

Key combination

Essential for a good mood? However, these carbohydrates must be eaten in combination with very little or no protein. So a meal like pasta will allow the brain to make serotonin, but eating chicken and potatoes will actually prevent serotonin from being made.

This may explain why people may still feel hungry even after they have eaten a 20-ounce steak.

Their stomachs are full, but their brains may not be making enough serotonin to shut off their appetites.

A lack of carbohydrate may have more impact on women than men, as women have much less serotonin in their brains.

Dr Wurtman said some people, who she dubbed carbohydrate cravers, need to eat a certain amount of carbohydrates to keep their moods steady.

Mood, and energy levels are related to many factors, and as such reaching conclusions like this is not practical. Dr Stuart Trager They tend to experience a change in their mood, usually in the late afternoon or mid-evening, she said. And with this mood change comes a yearning to eat something sweet or starchy.

According to Dr Wurtman's clinical studies, if the carbohydrate craver eats protein instead, he or she will become grumpy, irritable or restless.

Filling up on fatty foods like bacon or cheese is no answer. That will just make you tired, lethargic and apathetic.

Dr Wurtman said: "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."

Findings disputed

Dr Stuart Trager, chairman of the Atkins Physician Council, said clinical research had contradicted Dr Wurtman's findings. He cited one study which found controlling carboydrate intake improved the mood of 51% of those who took part.

He said: "We would hope that medical practitioners and those who participate in low carbohydrate lifestyles will recognize that mood, and energy levels are related to many factors, and as such reaching conclusions like this is not practical.

"Controlling carbohydrates helps people manage their weight, improve body image and stabilizes blood sugar.

"Additionally, it is important to remember that serotonin, the chemical these researchers are discussing is made within the body from ingested protein, rather than carbohydrates."

Brigid McKevith, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, told BBC News Online the effect of diet on serotonin was far from clear cut.

She said: "It has been suggested that a meal high carbohydrate may lead to an increase in serotonin, but the effect is unlikely to be significant when eating a meal because as little as 2-4% of calories from protein will prevent this.

"It is worth remembering that many foods - such as milk, beans and even potatoes - contain both carbohydrate and protein."

[chance33_98]

SHUT THE HELL UP AND QUIT POSTING THIS CRAP...oh wait, sorry about that guess I need some ice cream :)

[ecurbh]

More Atkins-bashing ping.

[traumer]

I - personally - felt a bit grumpy during the 2-week (very strict) 'induction' phase ....

[TailspinJim]

I did Atkins last year for about two months and lost 14 lbs (from l68 to 154 lbs.) Felt great, not hungry all the time, had more 'pep' (72 yrs old)...but then went back to my old ways and gained it all back, but, ready to do it again and this time I'll be firm on the 'maintenance' end of it.

[misterrob]

Here's an idea...

PUT DOWN THE BON BONS, GET OFF YO' FAT LAZY ASSES AND GO EXERCISE.

[irishtenor]

Nonsense. I eat mostly protein, a few veggies, and almost no carbs. I am very happy, I am never in a bad mood. I don't get mood swings, nor am I violently aggressive.

[Spunky]

"Findings disputed

Dr Stuart Trager, chairman of the Atkins Physician Council, said clinical research had contradicted Dr Wurtman's findings. He cited one study which found controlling carboydrate intake improved the mood of 51% of those who took part.

I have been on the low carb since August. I can tell you I feel better now than I have in ages. Atkins works. I have lost 30lbs and my mood has gotten 100% better.

I don't know why they keep trying to trash the Atkins way. They keep making it sound like all a person eats is fat and that is the furtherest from the truth.

[goodnesswins]

Okay....I WANT to do Atkins, BUT, whenever I start it....it STOPS me all up....if you get my drift....LOL. No matter how much other stuff (psyllium, Vit C, etc.) I cannot do it. Anyone have suggestions? I'd really like to lose 20 lbs.

[Prolifeconservative]

Too much carbs = BAD
Nothing but protein = BAD TOO

Eat your protein with the good carbs like apples, pears, cucumbers, broccoli, plums, oranges, celery, onions, cauliflower, grapes, etc and you will feel great physically and be sharp as a tack mentally and lose just as much weight as the atkins. The only difference, you can maintain the diet forever and live happily healthy ever after.

[misterrob]

pick up some hot sauce like 100% Pain and add it to your foods and maybe that will solve your problem.....

[Rhetorical pi2]

As I munch on my chips and dips and drink a Coke it occurs to me that I am very happy when doing this. Afterward I am depressed that I allowed myself to indulge to this extent.

However, the thought occurs, being overweight can make you depressed also.

I was a Dr. Atkins fan (1978) long before low-carb was the rage.I go on the diet for 3-4 weeks (just after New Years and just before football season) and knock off the weight I need to lose to be a glutton through football season and the holidays.

I could not endure the discipline it requires for more than a month.

[irishtenor]

Do a lot of walking.

[Richard-SIA]

And the sample group was what, three people?

This is bunk!

I have been "doing Atkins" for over a year.
What I eat has NO bearing on my attitude.

The "article" is so full of falsehoods and misconceptions I have to think it is fiction from the desk of some high carb product companies publicist.

[goodnesswins]

I already walk about 20-25 miles a week with my dog, and then about 10-15 miles around the house, etc....more?

[dogbrain]

Hey man, chill out and have some pasta....

No, you have a point.
Exercise is a must.

But you really should get off whatever diet you're on now.
It might be making you cranky.

[I got the rope]

Are you taking any prescription drugs?

[goodnesswins]

Nope, None. Don't need 'em.

[Spunky]

During the two week induction phase you will probably not go as often. Don't over do on cheese and drink lots and lots of water. After the two week induction you can add about 3 oz of almonds or peanuts a day and that should help. Also they have low carb breads and hot cereals now that add fiber.

[I got the rope]

Are you taking the hide off the meat?