Atkins Diet May Cause Depression
Boston
researchers have determined the Atkins diet, which limits carbohydrates,
can put people in a bad mood, the BBC reported.
A team from
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has found carbohydrates help
to stimulate production of a key brain chemical called serotonin.
That chemical
controls our emotions and a shortage can lead to mood swings and depression.
The Atkins
diet has become hugely popular despite concerns over its effect on health.
"When serotonin
is made and becomes active in your brain, its effect on your appetite is
to make you feel full before your stomach is stuffed and stretched," said
MIT's Judith Wurtman.
"But serotonin
is crucial not only to control your appetite and stop you from overeating;
it's essential to keep your moods regulated."
Antidepressant
medications are designed to make serotonin more active in the brain and
extend that activity for longer periods of
time to assist in regulating
moods.
Because carbohydrates
raise serotonin levels naturally they effectively act like a natural tranquilizer.
The MIT team
discovered that the brain makes serotonin only after a person consumes
sweet or starchy carbohydrates.
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Copyright 2004 by United
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