Sugar over dose and heart palpitations ???

JSSword · 01-20-2005, 12:07 PM

Got a question for the Atkins Nutritionist:

I have been lc for over two years, mostly with carbs around 20-30 grams per day. Last year on 4th of July I went overboard and got into all kinds of sugary goodies. The next day I started having heart palpitations and they lasted 4-5 days.

Did the same thing in October with not nearly as much sugary sweets and had heart palpitations again, but not as severe.

Christmas came and the same thing happened.

My question:

Can a long term low carb diet cause these kind of symptoms ??

Never had heart palpitations before and don't have them any other time unless I get into the sugar laden foods.

Diana · 01-20-2005, 12:49 PM

I hurt when I eat Sugar. My body the next day or two is soooooo sore like someone kicked the dog poo outta me.

Its a reaction to Carbs, well bad ones anyway. Its our body telling us it's not good for us

sunset · 01-20-2005, 12:54 PM

I don't get palpitations from sugar but I do get it from caffiene. I can't drink any caffeine anymore. Sugar does give me bad headaches.

JSSword · 01-20-2005, 01:01 PM

Caffeine doesnt' bother me and neither does
Sugar Free Russell Stover Chocolates.

It's the regular sugar that does me in everytime I get too much
of it

Southern-Dahlin · 01-21-2005, 06:30 AM

JSSword

The type of food you eat also affects surges in blood sugah, which aggravate heart palpitations.
A protein diet or low carb regulates the highs and lows of blood sugah spikes and so when you all of the sudden re-introduce a large amount of sugah at once into your system it is a shock I suppose.

Your pancreous was like.............what the heck is goin on!

For my birthday this year i ate a low carb salad and then I had a pie called (Death By Chocolate).......this was after a year of no cheats. I didn't react very bad to it but i could live without it now and nevah miss it..................

Atkins_Nutritionist · 01-21-2005, 12:17 PM

Hi JSS,
First just wanted to say that there is no such thing as a long term low carb 'diet', it's a low carb approach to eating that becomes your lifestyle. When your body gets used to getting fuel from protein, healthy fats, and carbs from fiber rich vegetables and whole grains, and then you 'shock' it with sugar, it is very possible that heart palpitations could result from blood sugar spikes and your body's reaction.

pdianne · 01-21-2005, 12:30 PM

One day the summer before last I went to the county fair for the day. There was very little good food available so I didn't get much protein in my body and then indulged in cotton candy and 3-4 bites of an elephant ear. Within an hour or so i felt like i was seriously drunk. It was terrible.

Never again.

JSSword · 01-22-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Atkins_Nutritionist
Hi JSS,
First just wanted to say that there is no such thing as a long term low carb 'diet', it's a low carb approach to eating that becomes your lifestyle. When your body gets used to getting fuel from protein, healthy fats, and carbs from fiber rich vegetables and whole grains, and then you 'shock' it with sugar, it is very possible that heart palpitations could result from blood sugar spikes and your body's reaction.

that's what I suspected what was happening, but my doctor didn't think that my eating habits had anything to do with it...

does this mean, that I now have to forever watch what I eat ???

Matt · 01-23-2005, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JSSword
that's what I suspected what was happening, but my doctor didn't think that my eating habits had anything to do with it...

does this mean, that I now have to forever watch what I eat ???

yep.. as the AN stated, this is a way of life, not a diet or something you can go off of. If you dont think you can stick with it, then you should try something else.

Diana · 01-23-2005, 05:35 AM

I tell ya with the reaction I get if i get Just a little amount of sugar I swear I am allergic to the stuff. I get sore all over, headaches, heart beating fast, moody. It's best we stay away from Sugar. It's evil!!!

tbarber08 · 01-23-2005, 09:37 AM

HI..i am back on the atkins way for eating..i was on it 3 years ago
and lost 80 lbs in 6 months but ater i fell off of the the way of eating i started have the hart palpeptaions and i get these high tired feelings that are very strong i somtimes feel high like i am on some kind of drug,and i still have them to this day, i just have learned to live with it,, my DR. thinks i am crazy he cant find anything wrong with me...BUT I know what i feel... if anyone can help ,or has had the same thing let me know ...Thanks

JSSword · 01-23-2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Matt
yep.. as the AN stated, this is a way of life, not a diet or something you can go off of. If you dont think you can stick with it, then you should try something else.

If I hadn't been able to stick with it, I would have been gone a long time ago. I just wasn't ready for the extreme "side effects" that I have experienced and I thought there was something seriously wrong with my heart. When it happened the first time I thought I was going to die and it really scared me. It took me two more times of "sugaring up" to realize that the overdose of carbs was doing this to me and not just my heart doing this just because there was a problem with it.

Now I am being belittled by my friend when I say that too much sugar is causing my heart palpitations and I certainly don't need a lecture on how this low-carb is a way of life and not a diet. I probably didn't use the correct term of "long term low carb way of life" like I should have, but there is certainly no need of getting hostile in defending this, because you are "preaching to the choir" so to speak...

I feel that I do get the point of living a life with low carb and I certainly advocate it to people who ask my opinion.

But... I wasn't ready for the side effects, if I choose to go off and eat or drink something more carby than what I have been used to.

That's really all I wanted to know, if it was possible for such side effects to occur and if others had experienced the same things.

Denise85 · 01-23-2005, 09:45 PM

I have the same thing as you and I have been off Atkins for over a year. I switched to South Beach but then went back to Weight Watchers. As soon as I started the points system my heart would race. Anything that is not considered lc gives me a racing heart now. I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant and now when I have something sugary or starchy I get heart palps that last for a few hours. I was put on a heart monitor due to the severity. I had to keep a log and I noticed everytime I had something non lc I would get them. I guess my body is trying to tell me something so I'm trying to eat lower carb (low gi fruits, veggies and whole grains). I see my cardiologist in a few weeks and I'm going to talk to him about it.

JSSword · 01-24-2005, 08:11 AM

Hi Denise,
I am sorry to hear about your problems,especially when you are pregnant.
Yes, please ask your cardio if your eating habits had anything to do with it. It never occurred to me last year when I was seeing the cardiologist to even ask him, because I hadn't put the two together yet.

The only time I now get heart palpitations is when I have too many carbs in one meal, so I avoid it as much as possible.

IMImproving · 01-30-2005, 11:54 AM

I had palpitations every day for years and Drs. couldn't find anything wrong with me. The palpitations stopped shortly after (within a week) of quitting Aspertame (Diet Coke). Know at least two other people for whom this has worked.

Good luck
DJ

Marlee · 02-15-2005, 01:10 PM

Same thing happens to me. Only it seems to be mostly sugar or flour type carbs. I'm beginning to think it's some kind of food allergy. Also when I eat bread or say pizza it feels like I can't breath as easy. A real good reason to avoid this stuff

If only I were smart enough to keep away from it.

inatic · 02-15-2005, 07:16 PM

I understand the palpitations.

My trainer gave me the ok to do a Free day as i have reached my goal bf. The last two weeks that I have eaten WAY more carbs, than i am used to eating(per the FREE DAY way) I have gotten heart palpitations that have lasted all day. I thought it was so how connected.

I can stick to WOE, have done so for 3 years now. I may have to switch out my free day for more controlled carb increases during the week if my body is going to act like this.

JSSword · 02-16-2005, 07:17 AM

thanks for all the replies, at least now I know what's causing it and I am not too concerned with it anymore
I stay away from too many carbs ....

01-20-2005, 12:07 PM	#1
JSSword Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 609 Gallery: JSSword Stats: 199.8/198.2/125 WOE: Atkins/stillman's Start Date: 8/7/06	Sugar over dose and heart palpitations ??? Got a question for the Atkins Nutritionist: I have been lc for over two years, mostly with carbs around 20-30 grams per day. Last year on 4th of July I went overboard and got into all kinds of sugary goodies. The next day I started having heart palpitations and they lasted 4-5 days. Did the same thing in October with not nearly as much sugary sweets and had heart palpitations again, but not as severe. Christmas came and the same thing happened. My question: Can a long term low carb diet cause these kind of symptoms ?? Never had heart palpitations before and don't have them any other time unless I get into the sugar laden foods. __________________ 199.8/198.2/125 11-26-02 273 to 11-18-03 200.2 12-23-03 199.0 to 11/24/04 149.2 04/15/05 162.6 had heart related problems and did not exercise at all restart 03-06-06 199.8 to 03-19-06 186.2 8/7/06 199.8 8/8/06 198.2

01-21-2005, 06:30 AM	#5
Southern-Dahlin Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,864 Gallery: Southern-Dahlin WOE: Fresh Frog-innards and all...	JSSword The type of food you eat also affects surges in blood sugah, which aggravate heart palpitations. A protein diet or low carb regulates the highs and lows of blood sugah spikes and so when you all of the sudden re-introduce a large amount of sugah at once into your system it is a shock I suppose. Your pancreous was like.............what the heck is goin on! For my birthday this year i ate a low carb salad and then I had a pie called (Death By Chocolate).......this was after a year of no cheats. I didn't react very bad to it but i could live without it now and nevah miss it.................. __________________ Father hide our hearts in you, lest we steal them back and lay them at the feet of men....

01-23-2005, 09:37 AM	#11
tbarber08 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: melvindale mi. Posts: 4 Gallery: tbarber08 Stats: 319 WOE: atkins Start Date: 1/10/2005	felling high HI..i am back on the atkins way for eating..i was on it 3 years ago and lost 80 lbs in 6 months but ater i fell off of the the way of eating i started have the hart palpeptaions and i get these high tired feelings that are very strong i somtimes feel high like i am on some kind of drug,and i still have them to this day, i just have learned to live with it,, my DR. thinks i am crazy he cant find anything wrong with me...BUT I know what i feel... if anyone can help ,or has had the same thing let me know ...Thanks __________________ Tim Barber

01-23-2005, 09:45 PM	#13
Denise85 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 21,924 Blog Entries: 11 Gallery: Denise85 Stats: 261/148/140-5'5" WOE: Dietician's plan	I have the same thing as you and I have been off Atkins for over a year. I switched to South Beach but then went back to Weight Watchers. As soon as I started the points system my heart would race. Anything that is not considered lc gives me a racing heart now. I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant and now when I have something sugary or starchy I get heart palps that last for a few hours. I was put on a heart monitor due to the severity. I had to keep a log and I noticed everytime I had something non lc I would get them. I guess my body is trying to tell me something so I'm trying to eat lower carb (low gi fruits, veggies and whole grains). I see my cardiologist in a few weeks and I'm going to talk to him about it. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/deniset85

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-20-2005, 12:49 PM	#2
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 34,966 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	I hurt when I eat Sugar. My body the next day or two is soooooo sore like someone kicked the dog poo outta me. Its a reaction to Carbs, well bad ones anyway. Its our body telling us it's not good for us

01-20-2005, 12:54 PM	#3
sunset Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 6,017 Gallery: sunset	I don't get palpitations from sugar but I do get it from caffiene. I can't drink any caffeine anymore. Sugar does give me bad headaches.

01-20-2005, 01:01 PM	#4
JSSword Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 609 Gallery: JSSword Stats: 199.8/198.2/125 WOE: Atkins/stillman's Start Date: 8/7/06	Caffeine doesnt' bother me and neither does Sugar Free Russell Stover Chocolates. It's the regular sugar that does me in everytime I get too much of it

01-21-2005, 12:17 PM	#6
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	Hi JSS, First just wanted to say that there is no such thing as a long term low carb 'diet', it's a low carb approach to eating that becomes your lifestyle. When your body gets used to getting fuel from protein, healthy fats, and carbs from fiber rich vegetables and whole grains, and then you 'shock' it with sugar, it is very possible that heart palpitations could result from blood sugar spikes and your body's reaction.

01-21-2005, 12:30 PM	#7
pdianne Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 626 Gallery: pdianne Stats: 300/ DONE - size 6, 150 and happy WOE: Atkins Start Date: June 2003	One day the summer before last I went to the county fair for the day. There was very little good food available so I didn't get much protein in my body and then indulged in cotton candy and 3-4 bites of an elephant ear. Within an hour or so i felt like i was seriously drunk. It was terrible. Never again.

01-23-2005, 05:35 AM	#10
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 34,966 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	I tell ya with the reaction I get if i get Just a little amount of sugar I swear I am allergic to the stuff. I get sore all over, headaches, heart beating fast, moody. It's best we stay away from Sugar. It's evil!!!

01-24-2005, 08:11 AM	#14
JSSword Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 609 Gallery: JSSword Stats: 199.8/198.2/125 WOE: Atkins/stillman's Start Date: 8/7/06	Hi Denise, I am sorry to hear about your problems,especially when you are pregnant. Yes, please ask your cardio if your eating habits had anything to do with it. It never occurred to me last year when I was seeing the cardiologist to even ask him, because I hadn't put the two together yet. The only time I now get heart palpitations is when I have too many carbs in one meal, so I avoid it as much as possible.

01-30-2005, 11:54 AM	#15
IMImproving Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Left Coast USA Posts: 941 Gallery: IMImproving WOE: Atkins Start Date: August 22, 2003	I had palpitations every day for years and Drs. couldn't find anything wrong with me. The palpitations stopped shortly after (within a week) of quitting Aspertame (Diet Coke). Know at least two other people for whom this has worked. Good luck DJ

02-15-2005, 01:10 PM	#16
Marlee Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NY Posts: 4,711 Gallery: Marlee WOE: Atkins	Same thing happens to me. Only it seems to be mostly sugar or flour type carbs. I'm beginning to think it's some kind of food allergy. Also when I eat bread or say pizza it feels like I can't breath as easy. A real good reason to avoid this stuff If only I were smart enough to keep away from it.

02-15-2005, 07:16 PM	#17
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 12,582 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182/126.2 5'4 46!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach Supervised Start Date: LC since 2/02 B'building since 10/15/02	I understand the palpitations. My trainer gave me the ok to do a Free day as i have reached my goal bf. The last two weeks that I have eaten WAY more carbs, than i am used to eating(per the FREE DAY way) I have gotten heart palpitations that have lasted all day. I thought it was so how connected. I can stick to WOE, have done so for 3 years now. I may have to switch out my free day for more controlled carb increases during the week if my body is going to act like this.

02-16-2005, 07:17 AM	#18
JSSword Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 609 Gallery: JSSword Stats: 199.8/198.2/125 WOE: Atkins/stillman's Start Date: 8/7/06	thanks for all the replies, at least now I know what's causing it and I am not too concerned with it anymore I stay away from too many carbs ....