can a low carb diet make you depressed.?

Answer 1

not clinically, but your blood requires approximately 5mmol of sugar at all times so your brain and muscles can function; so, when you avoid carbs, your sugar level is depleted, and forces your body to pull sugar from other sources, which causes you to feel drowsy (but not depressed)

Answer 2

Hi! Come to think of it, I'll bet it is. I have tried low carb diets and have been very unhappy, partly because I hate counting things, and partly because it did take away some of my energy which I needed to sustain me through the day. Let me just say, I do not like low carb diets. I'd rather go on Weight Watchers.

Answer 3

I can't speak for everyone, but I do know that when I did the Atkins diet several summers ago, my mood plunged rapidly. I did have a hgh intake of sugars, both simple and complex, and I'm a cake-fiend, so when I took those from my diet cold-turkey, it did mess up my sugar level, which, as any diabetic will tell you, will cause your moods to surge and plunge rapidly. Once my body got used to the change, though, I was alright, but that first week especially was hard simply because I was depriving my body of the usual 'quick-fix' sugar indulgences I usually gave it whenever I felt my energy flagging. Its pretty much the same thing that happens when someone goes off caffiene.

Answer 4

Yes, I can imagine that cutting out or reducing your intake of any important food group will cause you to feel not quite right. Several family members did the Atkin's diet; I will tell you that one did become very moody, and they all had bad breath (which is common with low carb diets.)

Answer 5

Lack of carbohydrate intake will lead to lower levels of seratonin, the "happy" chemical in their brains. Carbohydrates don’t make seratonin but encourage the making if it. If people are cutting out carbohydrates they are more likely to suffer from depression. In a study of 50,000 people, those who ate a variety of foods were healthier and happier.

However, other studies show that seratonin levels do tend to be higher if you are eating a higher carb diet, but there's no evidence to show that seratonin increases with certain diets. Mood is influenced by so many factors that the actual effects of diet are probably quite minimal.

Answer 6

Yes actually it can. Especially in the first 3 days. Your brain uses carbs to function and when you drastically cut them, mood swings are evident and normal. Endorphins are not being produced at the rate that they were before you started your diet. It evens out fairly fast though!

Answer 7

Your brain needs glucose to function. So the answer is yes it could cause depression. Its one of the reasons all diets say "make sure you consult your doctor before starting on a diet".

One of the symptoms diabetics (a carbohydrate utilization dysfunction) are told to watch out- for are mood changes.

Answer 8

Yes it can. Your body needs carbs for energy which also fights off depression.

Answer 9

I thought eating to many carbs and processed foods can make you depressed?

Answer 10

Only if you can't have the food you like.

Not being able to eat chocolat cake and milk might be depressing but if you're into cheeses and eggs and steak you can have all you want (just no potatoes with the steak)

Answer 11

Yes and week.I would not recommend this diet for more than 2 weeks at a time.