Depression and ketosis (in a good way!)

kayellr · 02-05-2013, 06:23 AM

I started doing a high fat/low carb diet to get into ketosis partly because of evidence that ketosis helps beat depression. (weight loss was of course another motivator) Amazingly, I can tell after only 9 days that the depression that has been horrible for months is rapidly lifting. It had been so bad that I couldn't motivate myself to walk around the block for several months. (ugh)

Suddenly the energy is coming back (the weight is shedding to, but that's almost just a side benefit at this point) and first I walked around the block 2 days ago, and yesterday went to do it again and walked a mile. This may sound minor, but coming back from nothing it's huge!

Has anyone else here decided to go to ketosis to cope with depression or found mood elevation as a side effect of ketosis?

The article I read re depression and ketosis is Your Brain On Ketones | Psychology Today

jenericstewart · 02-05-2013, 07:32 AM

Long story, but that's how I stumbled upon lowering my carb intake, and thus, started my dieting journey last year. I've struggled with depression almost all of my life. Going from eating very little protein to just a moderate level, I noticed my mood change. I'm not swinging from tree limbs in glee, but I'm not half as down as I used to be. The mood change had nothing to do with losing weight either, by the way (long story).

I splurged on Sunday dinner (only) when eating out with friends. Yesterday, I was terribly down and moody. Today, I'm doing a bit better. I keep a continual food diary, and this was the first time I noticed such a mood change. I'm thinking that might be because my TOM might have lined up just so. Typically, I end up with a monster headache following a splurge.

These splurges are looking less and less tempting. One of these days I will learn. lol

Thanks for the link. I will study it shortly.

janetsbreeze · 02-05-2013, 08:43 AM

Isn't it wonderful?

I'm bipolar, so I've struggled with both the highs and lows, and eating a ketogenic diet definitely has helped me feel more like myself. I'm still taking meds, but at almost a third of the doseage I was on with my drs blessing.

anglgrl · 02-05-2013, 10:14 AM

I have pretty severe depression problems too and keto has helped me a lot. I'm not all better or anything but I am better than I used to be.

reddarin · 02-05-2013, 10:23 AM

Going wheat-free and LC (and now NK) helped me

02-05-2013, 06:23 AM	#1
kayellr Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Virginia, US Posts: 40 Gallery: kayellr Stats: 5'5" 195/183.2/135 WOE: Primal/LCHF/Nutritional Ketosis Start Date: 1/29/2013	Depression and ketosis (in a good way!) I started doing a high fat/low carb diet to get into ketosis partly because of evidence that ketosis helps beat depression. (weight loss was of course another motivator) Amazingly, I can tell after only 9 days that the depression that has been horrible for months is rapidly lifting. It had been so bad that I couldn't motivate myself to walk around the block for several months. (ugh) Suddenly the energy is coming back (the weight is shedding to, but that's almost just a side benefit at this point) and first I walked around the block 2 days ago, and yesterday went to do it again and walked a mile. This may sound minor, but coming back from nothing it's huge! Has anyone else here decided to go to ketosis to cope with depression or found mood elevation as a side effect of ketosis? The article I read re depression and ketosis is Your Brain On Ketones \| Psychology Today

02-05-2013, 07:32 AM	#2
jenericstewart Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 200 Gallery: jenericstewart Stats: 293+/213/183 WOE: BBD / CAD combo Start Date: 6/7/12	Long story, but that's how I stumbled upon lowering my carb intake, and thus, started my dieting journey last year. I've struggled with depression almost all of my life. Going from eating very little protein to just a moderate level, I noticed my mood change. I'm not swinging from tree limbs in glee, but I'm not half as down as I used to be. The mood change had nothing to do with losing weight either, by the way (long story). I splurged on Sunday dinner (only) when eating out with friends. Yesterday, I was terribly down and moody. Today, I'm doing a bit better. I keep a continual food diary, and this was the first time I noticed such a mood change. I'm thinking that might be because my TOM might have lined up just so. Typically, I end up with a monster headache following a splurge. These splurges are looking less and less tempting. One of these days I will learn. lol Thanks for the link. I will study it shortly. __________________ 100 carbs/day: July 10 lbs; Aug 8 lbs JUDDD: Sept 10 lbs; Oct 9 lbs; Nov 11 lbs; Dec 3 lbs; Jan 0 lbs; Feb 1 lbs JUDDD/Atkins combo: Mar 9 lbs; Apr (gave up sugar free gum/pop) 11.4 lbs BBD/CAD (craving free finally!!!!): May 7.6 lbs Last edited by jenericstewart; 02-05-2013 at 07:42 AM..

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02-05-2013, 08:43 AM	#3
janetsbreeze Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 4,575 Gallery: janetsbreeze Stats: 197/186.6/130; 5'2" WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 19, 2011	Isn't it wonderful? I'm bipolar, so I've struggled with both the highs and lows, and eating a ketogenic diet definitely has helped me feel more like myself. I'm still taking meds, but at almost a third of the doseage I was on with my drs blessing.

02-05-2013, 10:14 AM	#4
anglgrl Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 32 Gallery: anglgrl Stats: 231/148/130 WOE: HF/LC Real Food Start Date: Sept-Oct 2011	I have pretty severe depression problems too and keto has helped me a lot. I'm not all better or anything but I am better than I used to be.

02-05-2013, 10:23 AM	#5
reddarin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 5,467 Gallery: reddarin Stats: 6' 47y/o 265/193/170 WOE: NK Start Date: Aug 13, 2011	Going wheat-free and LC (and now NK) helped me