this explains a lot!

March 2, 2004 -- The Atkins Diet and other weight-loss plans that
limit carbohydrates can turn you into a sourpuss, a new study shows.
Scientists found carbohydrates help boost the production of serotonin
which controls emotions and a shortage can lead to mood swings and
depression.

"[Serotonin is] essential to keep your moods regulated," said lead
researcher Dr. Judith Wurtman of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.

Her team discovered the brain makes serotonin only after a person
consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates in combination with very
little or no protein. So while a meal of pasta allows the brain to
make serotonin, eating chicken and potatoes actually stops it from
being produced.

This explains why people can still feel hungry after chowing down on a
large steak - because, while their stomachs are full, their brains are
not making enough serotonin to stop their appetite.

A lack of carbohydrates also tends to have more impact on women than
men, because women have less serotonin in their brains, the study
found.


(GOT THAT QUEEN?)


"When you take away the carbohydrates, it's like taking away water
from someone hiking in the desert," Wurtman told the BBC.



Stuart Trager of the Atkins Physician Council said clinical research
contradicted the MIT findings.

He pointed to one study that showed controlling carbohydrate intake
improved the mood of 51 percent of those who took part in lab tests.

In article ,
(katie k) wrote:

March 2, 2004 -- The Atkins Diet and other weight-loss plans that
limit carbohydrates can turn you into a sourpuss, a new study shows.
Scientists found carbohydrates help boost the production of serotonin
which controls emotions and a shortage can lead to mood swings and
depression.

"[Serotonin is] essential to keep your moods regulated," said lead
researcher Dr. Judith Wurtman of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.

improved the mood of 51 percent of those who took part in lab tests.

How funny - I read a similar study awhile ago that said that people on
very low-fat diets became very angry very easily. And we know you can't
be on a high-carb/high-fat diet - that way leads to destruction. Hm...

ps - there are certain people at the MIT whom I wouldn't listen to - and
I can't say anything that will get me into trouble here, despite
personal experiences, but let's just say...

--
Nancy Howells (don't forget to switch it, and replace the to send mail).

Her team discovered the brain makes serotonin only after a person
consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates in combination with very
little or no protein. So while a meal of pasta allows the brain to

I think this really explains a lot. If consuming carbs generates
serotonin then it explains why carbs are addictive.

Mirek

Mirek Fidler wrote:
::: Her team discovered the brain makes serotonin only after a person
::: consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates in combination with very
::: little or no protein. So while a meal of pasta allows the brain to
::
:: I think this really explains a lot. If consuming carbs generates
:: serotonin then it explains why carbs are addictive.

That would be another reason...BG swings are yet another.

Mirek Fidler wrote:
::: Her team discovered the brain makes serotonin only after a person
::: consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates in combination with very
::: little or no protein. So while a meal of pasta allows the brain to
::
:: I think this really explains a lot. If consuming carbs generates
:: serotonin then it explains why carbs are addictive.

That would be another reason...BG swings are yet another.

My another favorit theory is that as you need some amount of protein to
repair your body (say 1g/kg) and some amount of fat for your body to
work properly, your body sends hunger singals as long as you do not get
it. If you feed it with carbs, you can trick it for a while (perhaps by
mentioned serotonin signaling), but hunger returns as there still is not
enough protein and fat. So on high carb diet you either end eating a lot
(until that low percent of fat and protein does not reaches your needs),
or are constantly hungry.

But of course, these all factors likely work together...

Mirek

I guess it's more a point of view regarding mood swings. When people take
drugs, they feel happy temporarily, but are generally miserable. They have
to take more and more to get that euphoric feeling. People that don't take
drugs will never feel that euphoria, but are generally happy. I think
carbohydrates cause a similar feeling. You get tricked into thinking they
make you feel good, and then the cycle gets worse. More carbs are needed to
feel normal.
my body + high carb = fat (not happy)
my body + low carb = slim (very happy)

Tom
210/185/180
(almost very happy)


"katie k" wrote in message
om...
March 2, 2004 -- The Atkins Diet and other weight-loss plans that
limit carbohydrates can turn you into a sourpuss, a new study shows.
Scientists found carbohydrates help boost the production of serotonin
which controls emotions and a shortage can lead to mood swings and
depression.

"[Serotonin is] essential to keep your moods regulated," said lead
researcher Dr. Judith Wurtman of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.

Her team discovered the brain makes serotonin only after a person
consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates in combination with very
little or no protein. So while a meal of pasta allows the brain to
make serotonin, eating chicken and potatoes actually stops it from
being produced.

This explains why people can still feel hungry after chowing down on a
large steak - because, while their stomachs are full, their brains are
not making enough serotonin to stop their appetite.

A lack of carbohydrates also tends to have more impact on women than
men, because women have less serotonin in their brains, the study
found.


(GOT THAT QUEEN?)


"When you take away the carbohydrates, it's like taking away water
from someone hiking in the desert," Wurtman told the BBC.



Stuart Trager of the Atkins Physician Council said clinical research
contradicted the MIT findings.

He pointed to one study that showed controlling carbohydrate intake
improved the mood of 51 percent of those who took part in lab tests.

I've actually found that being on a LC diet has helped my mood swings, and as I've lost, I've felt much better. I think that "comfort foods" make you feel better for a while, just as drugs do, but in the long run, you feel worse, just like the person who uses drugs to make them feel better.
Becky P.
www.family.solidrockpl.org
199/145.5/135

On 9 Mar 2004 04:32:54 -0800, (katie k) announced
in front of God and everybody:

March 2, 2004 -- The Atkins Diet and other weight-loss plans that
limit carbohydrates can turn you into a sourpuss, a new study shows.

And yet ... I have had considerably less problems with depression
since I started eating low-carb, I assume because I no longer have
blood-sugar related mood swings.

Generalizing -- even under the auspices of a serious study -- is such
a dangerous thing.

Dawn

This was one of my excuses for not starting to low carb- I thought I would
get bitchy, like when I was on Scarsdale 20 years ago. That diet had you low
carb every other week I think- though those fruit salads were full of carbs.
I haven't had a bad day low carbing yet that I can blame on food.

As a matter of fact, I've been home today and didn't have my breakfast till
noon ( know I shouldn't skip meals). I had a ton of energy today and
actually was cleaning house, in between lots of postings. I was very aware
that I wasn't having the shakes from not eating like I would if I was on my
old high carb lifestyle

--
Diane
Atkins since 12/4/2003
234/208/150 5"8
"curious" curious@noemailshown wrote in message
lkaboutsupport.com...
I've actually found that being on a LC diet has helped my mood swings, and
as I've lost, I've felt much better. I think that "comfort foods" make you
feel better for a while, just as drugs do, but in the long run, you feel
worse, just like the person who uses drugs to make them feel better.
Becky P.
www.family.solidrockpl.org
199/145.5/135

katie k wrote:

March 2, 2004 -- The Atkins Diet and other weight-loss plans that
limit carbohydrates can turn you into a sourpuss, a new study shows.
Scientists found carbohydrates help boost the production of serotonin
which controls emotions and a shortage can lead to mood swings and
depression.

"[Serotonin is] essential to keep your moods regulated," said lead
researcher Dr. Judith Wurtman of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.

Her team discovered the brain makes serotonin only after a person
consumes sweet or starchy carbohydrates in combination with very
little or no protein. So while a meal of pasta allows the brain to
make serotonin, eating chicken and potatoes actually stops it from
being produced.

This explains why people can still feel hungry after chowing down on a
large steak - because, while their stomachs are full, their brains are
not making enough serotonin to stop their appetite.

A lack of carbohydrates also tends to have more impact on women than
men, because women have less serotonin in their brains, the study
found.

(GOT THAT QUEEN?)

"When you take away the carbohydrates, it's like taking away water
from someone hiking in the desert," Wurtman told the BBC.



Stuart Trager of the Atkins Physician Council said clinical research
contradicted the MIT findings.

He pointed to one study that showed controlling carbohydrate intake
improved the mood of 51 percent of those who took part in lab tests.

Well, I have to say that I was simultaneously energized and in a
very bad frame of mind when I was in induction. My mood is better
now, and it might be because I am eating more than 20 g or carbs
per day. I wonder what level of carbs one needs (if this is
true)?
--
Jean B.