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."

[Quick1]

If you're walking 50 miles a week and not losing any weight, then you are probably eating way too much. Either that, or you're overestimating how much you actually walk (15 miles around the house in a week? Do you live in a huge mansion?)

[misterrob]

No, never heard of him.

I started weight lifting about 12 years ago and have about 35lbs of muscle which I had supplemented over the years with about 35lbs of spare tire. What I found was that cutting down on carbs, doing 35-40 minutes on an incline treadmill and variations on my weight work caused me to lose 20 lbs over six months. I still manage to eat well but if I didn't work out then no way I could get away with most of I manage to.

[goodnesswins]

"Stop while you're still hungry.

Yes,.....but, that seems so weird .....but I know you are correct. As a child who fought the "CLEAN YOUR PLATE" orders from my mother (who dished the plate)....I have been conditioned to think I have to eat more than I need. Slowly I'm changing that.

[Spruce]

Swede sausage and fried potatoes. Beer.

[NotQuiteCricket]

people may still feel hungry even after they have eaten a 20-ounce steak

What kind of freak could do that? Also - I think that insulin has more to do with mood swings than serotonin.

[I got the rope]

LMAO! What I mean is that you will become regular eventually in a few weeks. Your constipation will become managable if you drink lots of water. I think I drank up to 10-12 glasses of water/day for a week.

[goodnesswins]

"do you live in a huge mansion?" LOL...no....but I'm kind of the hyper type....don't sit still much (except for FR)...and I've been wearing a pedometer for the past 2 months....so I know what I'm walking...I do think I probably eat too large of portions - I'm working on that!

[hellinahandcart]

Popeye had the solution to your problem:

And as anyone knows who has eaten too many of them, macadamia nuts work too...

[kcvl]

Researcher Dr Judith Wurtman...

Did they mention that she has a financial interest in getting people to use "her diet plan", The Adara program?


Dr. Wurtman has come up with a diet plan covering all the food groups including complex carbs, like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole grain breads, oatmeal and potatoes.

Dr. Wurtman has come up with a tasty carb shake, but you can also eat snacks like graham crackers or half a bagel.

The Adara programs are developed and run by Judith Wurtman, PhD


http://www.adaracenter.com/NewFiles/home.html

ADARA - Media

Woman’s World, March 2004
WCVB-TV ABC Affiliate, Boston, Chronicle: “The Low Down on Low Carb,” , January 2004
WHDH-TV NBC Affiliate, Boston, “Cranky for Carbs,” news segment, January 2004
Discovery Channel, 2003-2004 (Multiple airings)
Food Network, 2003-2004 (Multiple airings)

[girlreporter]

Prunes... (or 'dried plums').

[irishtenor]

Is that all? :>)

That should do it. I guess I don't have an answer for you. Maybe find some food that causes you um, distress, and add it to your menu.

[Agnes Heep]

This must explain why the Indians were always going around scalping people.

[knuthom]

It is true that carbs make me feel good. Then my blood sugar level goes down and I feel lousy. When I am on the Atkins diet, it evens this out. No blood sugar crashes.

[goodnesswins]

LOL....my husband is SOOOOO tired of "greens." Macadamias? Maybe I'll try them...although I don't really like them much and they are really spendy.

[goodnesswins]

Thanks....freepers are great......I got some good ideas, and will try it again (somewhat modified).

[I got the rope]

The broccoli, garlic, and pine nuts recipe is killer...it's in his book.

[goodnesswins]

LOL...I just re-read (and got) your joke!

[goodnesswins]

YEP...it is...we know it well....LOL. I also love the Cauliflower Mashed "Potato" recipe.

[T Wayne]

I have been following Atkins for just over 2 years now.

I started at 315, dropped to 185 in just over a year and have been mantaining pretty close to that since.

My mood improved, and I haven't felt this good in 30 years.

I went from 3X shirts, 48 waist to large shirts and 34 waist.

I eat lots of nuts, salads, and most green vegies along with the meats, cheeses, eggs, etc. And the low carb bars, with plenty of water, do help with the regularity bit.

Good Luck!

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

I have lost 80 pounds in the last 7 months - my wife has lost 120 pounds in the last ten months - and we were not on the Atkins diet (we are allowed to eat carbs). And I feel great - something works...is successful...on a non-low-carb diet!