Low Carb Dieting

[CrystalChick]

Is there any truth to low carb dieting and depression?


Just wondering
CC

 

[diamonddiceclay]

yes because carbs cause serotonin to be released-so without them, you may be more depressed

 

[CrystalChick]

RE

Im not depressed... but I was wondering how many grams per day of carbs does a person need to maintain normal serotonin levels to avoid dieing indused depression.
And would fiberous carbs count in that equation?

Thanks Again
CC

 

[diamonddiceclay]

when you go below 30 per day, you are at risk and all carbs are carbs-fiber or not

 

[CrystalChick]

Re

Thanks Diamond you really are a "Gem" (wink)

CC

 

[fawnmarie]

I used St. John's wort to counteract low-carb depression and it seemed to work very well. The trick is to take it consistently.

Fawn

 

[gymrat]

I know i get depressed when i can't eat carbs.....*sigh*

 

[brwnidgrl]

CrystalChick I sent you a PM.

 

[MS]

The amount of carbs you need each day to be "happy" is very individual, and also varies from day to day depending on activity level, health, age, gender, etc....As a general rule, women seem to benefit from more carbs in the late luteal phase (ie premenstual). Ingestion of carbohydrates increases the plasma ratio of tryptophan to other large neutral amino acids, which has a follow on effect on tryptophan uptake into the brain. For reasons as yet unclear, women seem to suffer low ratios of tryptophan to large neutral AAs more than men. Eating foods high in tryptophan may help (such as turkey). Carbs from undigestable fiber do not count since they are excreted rather than absorbed. Of course, you could also take tryptophan, 5-HTT, or an SSRI. Personally I find it easier to eat carbs!

 

[CrystalChick]

Re

Hummm this is very interesting.... butttt now this may sound stupid but how do you know if your carbs are to low.... besides being tired sweet cravings ect....What are common signs women tend to experience and may not realize it's from a low carb diet.

Thanks CC