Low-carb and anxiety

Portia · 10-22-2009, 08:46 AM

I'm finally in my food groove with low-carb (yay me!). Lately, I have a number of "big things" going on in my life: changes at work, some ongoing medical issues with DH and DS. Nothing that is a huge deal, but taken altogether, I feel very stressed at times.

Somehow, I have managed to stick to low-carb. It's just kind of easy. I know the rules, the food keeps me satisfied for a long time so I am not always wondering/worried about the next meal.

I'm still in the induction phase, but for any of you doing this long-term, how has the woe affected your stress levels? Does it hurt b/c you are removing that lovely, carb-induced serotonin?

Or does it help in some way?

I'm not on any meds - so this is just a straight-up body chemistry question.

JuliaL · 10-22-2009, 09:17 AM

Hi Portia - Losing weight helped my stress levels a lot. I can't say whether it was because I did it on a low carb diet or not, but I don't think carbs were preventing any stress, that's for sure.

The most important change I made that helped me with stress was exercise. The endorphins produced by exercise far outweigh anything donuts ever did for me

francine · 10-22-2009, 12:34 PM

I've been on and off l/c for many years. In my experience, I'd get almost manic when I was eating alot of carbs and especially sugary things. I'd be a snap case practically. Going thru some very stressful times right now and resuming low carb, I noticed a few times where I'd normally have lost it, I was able to remain pretty calm. Also, I just feel mentally and physically alot more in control of myself than eating just everything. I can't control what's going on around me, but being on low carb makes me feel in control.

sistertzu · 10-22-2009, 12:46 PM

I feel less stressed. My blood pressure has substantially been lowered by my weightloss. My health is improving every day, it all stems from my way of eating.

Sis

Joy-FL · 10-22-2009, 12:59 PM

Hey, I hadn't even noticed until you mentioned it -- my anxiety is gone.

verbqueen · 10-22-2009, 01:04 PM

I have far LESS anxiety when I'm low carbing. In fact, I feel fairly blissful. I think it stops those serotonin ups and downs that result in mood swings.

cleochatra · 10-22-2009, 02:26 PM

GABA is a wonderful amino acid for anxiety! Def check out Julia Ross' Mood Cure book for other aminos that combat the stressies!

Portia · 10-22-2009, 04:43 PM

I am definitely getting that one, cleo

10-22-2009, 08:46 AM	#1
Portia Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 3,134 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: Portia Stats: 244/240/199 WOE: LC Start Date: 9/1/09	Low-carb and anxiety I'm finally in my food groove with low-carb (yay me!). Lately, I have a number of "big things" going on in my life: changes at work, some ongoing medical issues with DH and DS. Nothing that is a huge deal, but taken altogether, I feel very stressed at times. Somehow, I have managed to stick to low-carb. It's just kind of easy. I know the rules, the food keeps me satisfied for a long time so I am not always wondering/worried about the next meal. I'm still in the induction phase, but for any of you doing this long-term, how has the woe affected your stress levels? Does it hurt b/c you are removing that lovely, carb-induced serotonin? Or does it help in some way? I'm not on any meds - so this is just a straight-up body chemistry question. __________________ Goals: 14 days clean induction 239 229 219 209 199

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10-22-2009, 09:17 AM	#2
JuliaL Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 18,014 Gallery: JuliaL Stats: 190/143/140 16/6/6, height 5'8", age 49 WOE: Atkins/BFFM Start Date: 4/22/03	Hi Portia - Losing weight helped my stress levels a lot. I can't say whether it was because I did it on a low carb diet or not, but I don't think carbs were preventing any stress, that's for sure. The most important change I made that helped me with stress was exercise. The endorphins produced by exercise far outweigh anything donuts ever did for me

10-22-2009, 12:34 PM	#3
francine MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Buffalo, New York, USA Posts: 1,065 Gallery: francine Stats: 155/130/135 WOE: little of everything	I've been on and off l/c for many years. In my experience, I'd get almost manic when I was eating alot of carbs and especially sugary things. I'd be a snap case practically. Going thru some very stressful times right now and resuming low carb, I noticed a few times where I'd normally have lost it, I was able to remain pretty calm. Also, I just feel mentally and physically alot more in control of myself than eating just everything. I can't control what's going on around me, but being on low carb makes me feel in control.

10-22-2009, 12:46 PM	#4
sistertzu Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 802 Gallery: sistertzu Stats: 244/177.9/165 WOE: atkins/whole food/grain free Start Date: owl 10/01/09	I feel less stressed. My blood pressure has substantially been lowered by my weightloss. My health is improving every day, it all stems from my way of eating. Sis

10-22-2009, 12:59 PM	#5
Joy-FL MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,011 Gallery: Joy-FL Stats: 223/191/160 WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 30, 2009	Hey, I hadn't even noticed until you mentioned it -- my anxiety is gone.

10-22-2009, 01:04 PM	#6
verbqueen Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 803 Gallery: verbqueen WOE: Atkins '72 Start Date: June 2009	I have far LESS anxiety when I'm low carbing. In fact, I feel fairly blissful. I think it stops those serotonin ups and downs that result in mood swings.

10-22-2009, 02:26 PM	#7
cleochatra Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,322 Gallery: cleochatra WOE: organic, baby!	GABA is a wonderful amino acid for anxiety! Def check out Julia Ross' Mood Cure book for other aminos that combat the stressies!

10-22-2009, 04:43 PM	#8
Portia Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 3,134 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: Portia Stats: 244/240/199 WOE: LC Start Date: 9/1/09	I am definitely getting that one, cleo