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Atkins 'can put you in bad mood'
BBC ^ | 1 March, 20041 March, 2004

Posted on 03/01/2004 8:04:35 PM PST by 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."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: atkins; atkinscultists; atkinsdiet; atkinseenoevil; health; lowcarb
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To: varina davis
"Shredded wheat. Or, if you're Type II diabetic, glucophage"

Ain't that the truth. Ever since I started on glucophage I have become a "regular" kind of guy. Other non diabetic friends complain of constipation while on atkins , and i just look at them and say "not a problem"

CC

61 posted on 03/01/2004 9:36:06 PM PST by Celtic Conservative (go maire tui bfhad agus rath)
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To: traumer
Yes, yes it can. But then my mood mellowed when I stepped into jeans 3 sizes smaller then pre-Atkins.
62 posted on 03/01/2004 9:37:08 PM PST by Bella_Bru
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To: goodnesswins
"The following information is taken from Dr. Atkins' book, "The Vita Nutrient Solution", pg 340.

Most Important:
Beneficial bacteria 1 - 3 tsp
Magnesium oxide 250 - 1,000 mg
Psyllium husks 1 - 2 tbsp taken with 12 oz of water

Moderately Important:

Flaxsee Oil 1 tbsp
Pantethine 600 - 900 mg this is different from B5
Vitamin C 3 - 6 grams
Bentonite powder 2 - 4 tsp in 8 oz water

For those with constipation, they should exercise regularly and have their throid function checked. Drinking eight 8 oz glasses of water a day is important. Finally, make sure to check for an overgrowth of candida, which can often cause constipation".
63 posted on 03/01/2004 9:37:39 PM PST by miele man
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To: Bella_Bru
Been on Atkins for 7 weeks now. Lost 35 lbs. Feel great! Eat whenever I'm hungry, as much as I want. No diet was ever like this. The only thing I miss is my hot sauce because I can't have chips, and Blue Belle after my rib eye, smothered in mushrooms and butter, with a salad covered in eggs and ham cubes. Gettin a little burnt out on eggs though(deviled, fried, scrambled, boiled, etc.)

A little hint for those that want to start. Just fast for as long as you can to start Ketosis. I made 4 days with nuttin but water. The quiters I talked to said they got burnt out the 1st 2 weeks and quit. Buy Ketostrips at Wall Mart pharmacy and check daily until you get to ketosis, then go to the diet. I went this way for spiritual reasons. I wanted to see if God was first in my life, or food. I plan to make fasting a regular thing, maybe once or twice a month.

64 posted on 03/01/2004 10:31:50 PM PST by chuckles
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To: goodnesswins
OK, I don't want to gross you out or anything, but if your "situation" gets too "uncomfortable", an enema should do the trick.

I'd also think that anything that aids digestion, like acidophilus or papaya enzyme, would probably help, too. Maybe, taking a moderately high dose of vitamin C might work. I've heard that taking 1000 mg. or more daily can cause the "opposite of constipation" for a little while.

65 posted on 03/01/2004 11:32:39 PM PST by schmelvin
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To: chuckles
I have been living on eggs. I am so freaking sick of eggs. But, sugar free Jello keeps me on track.

I actually do extended induction. This is my second time on Atkins (i took a break - bad idea - a while back), and I have noticed that going beyond the 20g a day is too much too soon for me. It triggers my sugar addiction. So, I am in my 4th week of induction. I am planning on "moving on" after this week though.

66 posted on 03/01/2004 11:38:45 PM PST by Bella_Bru
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To: goodnesswins
Water, broccoli, and lots more water.

Watch the amount of cheese you eat. It can tend to have a....clogging effect. ;-)

67 posted on 03/01/2004 11:40:25 PM PST by Bella_Bru
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To: traumer
I dropped and maintained the loss of 25 pounds on the Atkins diet. Don't recall being in a bad mood that losing 25 pounds wouldn't alleviate.
68 posted on 03/02/2004 3:59:25 AM PST by tal hajus
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To: goodnesswins
I had the same problem at first that you describe. I had to resort to having a small bowl of Grapenuts Cereal occasionaly. Others have given some good suggestions too, drink more water, walk, eat nuts & spinache. The problem cleared up for me a few months into the low carb diet.

My stomache has shrunk because the protein keeps me satisfied longer I end up eating less. Protein gives me energy longer. Carbs leave me starving for more food in a few hours, after stuffing myself.
69 posted on 03/02/2004 4:29:46 AM PST by Ditter
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Comment #70 Removed by Moderator

To: traumer
Works much better

How I have lost weight since last year

71 posted on 03/02/2004 4:40:34 AM PST by bmwcyle (<a href="http://www.johnkerry.com/" target="_blank">miserable failure)
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To: miele man
Thanks....already do use flax, psyllium, and vit c....but probably not at those levels.....will look into the others.
72 posted on 03/02/2004 8:55:50 AM PST by goodnesswins (If you're Voting Dem/Constitution Party/Libertarian/Not - I guess it's easier than using your brain.)
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