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Atkins can cause depression

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General fitness, health and nutrition
Published
1 March 2004
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3 April 2004
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Tcomeau
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  1. Atkins can cause depression
    thisislondon.co.uk9402363

    The Atkins diet is at the centre of fresh controversy after scientists said it could cause
    depression and mood swings. Medical experts have found that the diet blocks the brain's ability to
    produce chemicals that keep us happy

    MIT researchers report high-carb supplement helps with weight loss
    web.mit.eduwurts.html

    The main author:
    *******************
    Judith Wurtman, Clinical Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Study of
    aspartame's behavioral effects on healthy adults supported by a grant from the NutraSweet
    Corporation. (Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1998;68:531-7) "[D]irects Triad, a commercial weight-loss center in
    Belmont, Mass." (New York Times, 10/18/00, p. A1)

    Judith Wurtman PhD is a Research Scientist at MIT, the founder and director of Harvard University's
    TRIAD Weight Management Center and a co-founder of Back Bay Scientific. Dr. Wurtman received her
    Ph.D. in cell biology from MIT, took additional training as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in
    nutrition/obesity, and then established a research career on these topics becoming a recognized
    authority on the causes and treatments of various types of obesity.
    Dr. Wurtman has written 5 books, including "The Serotonin Solution" and "Managing Your Mind and Mood
    Through Food". She has written over 40 peer- reviewed publications, and has had extensive media
    experience (television, radio, magazines) describing her related work. Her discoveries include
    the phenomenon of "Carbohydrate-Craving" in which people attempt to relieve their depression or
    anxiety by eating carbohydrate-rich snacks (to raise brain serotonin). Dr. Wurtman also showed,
    with her husband, Dr. Richard Wurtman, that this phenomenon is a cause of the weight gain seen
    in such conditions as PMS, smoking withdrawal, seasonal depression, and stress-related obesity,
    and that it can usually be treated by giving nutrient mixtures (like Serotrim™) or drugs that
    affect the brain serotonin.

    Serotrim™ Dietary Supplement Information Serotrim™ is a dietary supplement developed to reduce
    stress and stress-induced eating and control appetite. Serotrim™ is a patented, clinically-proven
    combination of specially formulated simple and complex carbohydrates plus vitamins and minerals,
    prepared specifically to control mood and appetite-related disturbances people experience during
    times of stress.

    Dietary Supplement Serotrim™ contains 0 grams of fat and 170 calories per serving. Serotrim™ is a
    specially formulated dietary supplement that works naturally with the body to raise serotonin levels
    in the brain. Since it is not a drug, it can be used safely by lactating women. (Please note warning
    in use among diabetics below).

    Serotrim™ is fast-acting, fat-free and contains: Carbohydrates - a mixture of complex and simple
    carbohydrates specifically chosen to promote a prompt, significant, and prolonged increase in brain
    serotonin levels; Vitamin C - an important antioxidant (an agent that counteracts the effects of
    free radicals, which are molecules that are highly destructive to various cells of the body);
    Calcium - important for overall metabolism.

    adaracenter.combeverage.html

    *************

    She has written no less than 5 diet books. She directs a weight loss centre. She hawks a high carb
    dietary supplement for weight loss.

    Hmmmmm... wonder if she has a motive for attacking Dr Atkins' diet? So much for MIT as a center of
    un-biased scientific research. Talk about reputations down the toilet.

    TC

  2. "Hmmmmm... wonder if she has a motive for attacking Dr Atkins' diet? So much for MIT as a center of
    un-biased scientific research. Talk about reputations down the toilet."

    Without speaking to the research methods or results, I don't get your conclusion about judging the
    results apart from what was reported. If you have info that methods/reports were faked, MIT will be
    very eger to know
    it. As mentioned before when such conclusions were made, where can one find any research that can
    not be found to have potential conflicts attached, including any favorite diet book author one
    might find convincing?

  3. [email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Hmmmmm... wonder if she has a motive for attacking Dr
    Atkins' diet? So much for MIT as a center of un-biased
    scientific research. Talk about reputations down the
    toilet."

    Without speaking to the research methods or results, I
    don't get your conclusion about judging the results apart
    from what was reported. If you have info that
    methods/reports were faked, MIT will be very eger to know
    it. As mentioned before when such conclusions were made,
    where can one find any research that can not be found
    to have potential conflicts attached, including any
    favorite diet book author one might find convincing?

    I did not say that methods or reports were faked. Where on
    earth did you get that idea?

    I said that they were biased by direct financial interests.
    It is a totally different kind of dishonesty, corruption and
    lack of professionalism.

    TC

  4. 08:57:46 Mon, 1 Mar 2004sci.med.nutrition

    tcomeau at tcomeau said:

    Atkins can cause depression thisislondon.co.ukthisislondon.co.uk
    news/articles/9402363?source=Evening%2 0Standard

    The Atkins diet is at the centre of fresh controversy after
    scientists said it could cause depression and mood swings.
    Medical experts have found that the diet blocks the brain's
    ability to produce chemicals that keep us happy

    It is a classic example of misreporting, and an example of
    why I never buy the Evening Standard.

    If the meal contains 4% or more protein, and usually even 2%
    is sufficient, extra serotonin creation doesn't happen. It
    is very hard to have a meal with such a low level of protein
    in it, so it is in fact nothing to worry about: it never
    happens in real life.

    Read the BBC if you want a more rounded story:

    news.bbc.co.uk3522903.stm

    <quote> She said: "It has been suggested that a meal high
    carbohydrate may lead to an increase in serotonin, but the
    effect is unlikely to be significant when eating a meal
    because as little as 2-4% of calories from protein will
    prevent this. </quote>
    --
    Martin Thompson [email hidden] (use "martin" not
    "bin"😉 London, UK Home Page: tucana.demon.co.uktucana.demon.co.uk
    Web Shop: buy.attucana Mobile Phone Ring Tones:
    ringamoby.comringamoby.com

    "Everything I do and say with anyone makes a difference."
    Gita Bellin

  5. 08:57:46 Mon, 1 Mar 2004sci.med.nutrition

    tcomeau at tcomeau said:

    Atkins can cause depression thisislondon.co.ukthisislondon.co.uk
    news/articles/9402363?source=Evening%2 0Standard

    The Atkins diet is at the centre of fresh controversy after
    scientists said it could cause depression and mood swings.
    Medical experts have found that the diet blocks the brain's
    ability to produce chemicals that keep us happy

    It is a classic example of misreporting, and an example of
    why I never buy the Evening Standard.

    If the meal contains 4% or more protein, and usually even 2%
    is sufficient, extra serotonin creation doesn't happen. It
    is very hard to have a meal with such a low level of protein
    in it, so it is in fact nothing to worry about: it never
    happens in real life.

    Read the BBC if you want a more rounded story:

    news.bbc.co.uk3522903.stm

    <quote> She said: "It has been suggested that a meal high
    carbohydrate may lead to an increase in serotonin, but the
    effect is unlikely to be significant when eating a meal
    because as little as 2-4% of calories from protein will
    prevent this. </quote>
    --
    Martin Thompson [email hidden] (use "martin" not
    "bin"😉 London, UK Home Page: tucana.demon.co.uktucana.demon.co.uk
    Web Shop: buy.attucana Mobile Phone Ring Tones:
    ringamoby.comringamoby.com

    "Everything I do and say with anyone makes a difference."
    Gita Bellin

  6. Martin Thompson <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    08:57:46 Mon, 1 Mar 2004sci.med.nutrition tcomeau at

    tcomeau said:

    Atkins can cause depression thisislondon.co.u-thisislondon.co.u-
    k/news/articles/9402363?source=Evening%2 0Standard

    The Atkins diet is at the centre of fresh controversy
    after scientists said it could cause depression and
    mood swings. Medical experts have found that the diet
    blocks the brain's ability to produce chemicals that
    keep us happy

    It is a classic example of misreporting, and an example of
    why I never buy the Evening Standard.

    If the meal contains 4% or more protein, and usually even
    2% is sufficient, extra serotonin creation doesn't happen.
    It is very hard to have a meal with such a low level of
    protein in it, so it is in fact nothing to worry about: it
    never happens in real life.

    Read the BBC if you want a more rounded story:

    news.bbc.co.uk3522903.stm

    <quote> She said: "It has been suggested that a meal high
    carbohydrate may lead to an increase in serotonin, but the
    effect is unlikely to be significant when eating a meal
    because as little as 2-4% of calories from protein will
    prevent this. </quote>

    It is also interesting how they omit the fact that *refined*
    carbs play a key role in causing depression.

    Natural, wholefood carbs contain many b vitamins, folic acid
    and other important micronutrients that the body needs to
    metabolize sugars.

    Refined carbs are bereft of these micronutrients so the when
    the body metabolizes the carbs it ends up having to use its
    stores of the micronutrients which leads to deficiencies in
    these micro-nutrients.

    Tryptophan and niacin are serotonin precursors. The body
    needs the b vitamins, folic acid and other micronutrients to
    convert niacin and tryptophan to serotonin. And in the
    absence of the above mentioned micronutrients, the bodies
    ability to produce serotonin is compromised, which leads to
    depression.

    The temporary boost in serotonin from carbs is insignificant
    when compared to the long term depletion of serotonin that
    is caused by a diet high in refined carbs.

    TC

  7. On 10 Mar 2004 07:44:43 -0800, [email hidden] (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    [email hidden] wrote in message news:<[email hidden]-
    net.com>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Hmmmmm... wonder if she has a motive for attacking Dr
    Atkins' diet? So much for MIT as a center of un-biased
    scientific research. Talk about reputations down the
    toilet."

    Without speaking to the research methods or results, I
    don't get your conclusion about judging the results apart
    from what was reported. If you have info that
    methods/reports were faked, MIT will be very eger to know
    it. As mentioned before when such conclusions were made,
    where can one find any research that can not be
    found to have potential conflicts attached,
    including any favorite diet book author one might
    find convincing?

    I did not say that methods or reports were faked. Where on
    earth did you get that idea?

    I said that they were biased by direct financial interests.
    It is a totally different kind of dishonesty, corruption
    and lack of professionalism.

    "I said that they were biased by direct financial interests.
    It is a totally different kind of dishonesty, corruption and
    lack of professionalism.

    TC"

    Biased means faked. Be careful.

  8. On 11 Mar 2004 12:17:56 -0800, [email hidden] (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    It is also interesting how they omit the fact that
    *refined* carbs play a key role in causing depression.

    Evidence?

    Quoted message said:

    Natural, wholefood carbs contain many b vitamins, folic
    acid and other important micronutrients that the body needs
    to metabolize sugars.

    Refined carbs are bereft of these micronutrients so the
    when the body metabolizes the carbs it ends up having to
    use its stores of the micronutrients which leads to
    deficiencies in these micro-nutrients.

    And if you consume plenty of B vitamins, via a varied
    wholefood diet?

    Quoted message said:

    Tryptophan and niacin are serotonin precursors. The body
    needs the b vitamins, folic acid and other micronutrients
    to convert niacin and tryptophan to serotonin. And in the
    absence of the above mentioned micronutrients, the bodies
    ability to produce serotonin is compromised, which leads to
    depression.

    Can you show a study which demonstrates this?

    Quoted message said:

    The temporary boost in serotonin from carbs is
    insignificant when compared to the long term depletion of
    serotonin that is caused by a diet high in refined carbs.

    Again, evidence?

  9. "Moosh🙂" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    On 11 Mar 2004 12:17:56 -0800, [email hidden]
    (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    It is also interesting how they omit the fact that
    *refined* carbs play a key role in causing depression.

    Evidence?

    Quoted message said:

    Natural, wholefood carbs contain many b vitamins, folic
    acid and other important micronutrients that the body
    needs to metabolize sugars.

    Refined carbs are bereft of these micronutrients so the
    when the body metabolizes the carbs it ends up having to
    use its stores of the micronutrients which leads to
    deficiencies in these micro-nutrients.

    And if you consume plenty of B vitamins, via a varied
    wholefood diet?

    Quoted message said:

    Tryptophan and niacin are serotonin precursors. The body
    needs the b vitamins, folic acid and other micronutrients
    to convert niacin and tryptophan to serotonin. And in the
    absence of the above mentioned micronutrients, the bodies
    ability to produce serotonin is compromised, which leads
    to depression.

    Can you show a study which demonstrates this?

    Quoted message said:

    The temporary boost in serotonin from carbs is
    insignificant when compared to the long term depletion of
    serotonin that is caused by a diet high in refined carbs.

    Again, evidence?

    I'm not an expert but google is my friend, it could be yours
    too. Here's just one example of what I turned up, I really
    like its sequential layout.

    hypoglycemia.asn.auserotonin conne
    ction.html

    -Chad

  10. "Moosh🙂" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    On 11 Mar 2004 12:17:56 -0800, [email hidden]
    (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    It is also interesting how they omit the fact that
    *refined* carbs play a key role in causing depression.

    Evidence?

    Quoted message said:

    Natural, wholefood carbs contain many b vitamins, folic
    acid and other important micronutrients that the body
    needs to metabolize sugars.

    Refined carbs are bereft of these micronutrients so the
    when the body metabolizes the carbs it ends up having to
    use its stores of the micronutrients which leads to
    deficiencies in these micro-nutrients.

    And if you consume plenty of B vitamins, via a varied
    wholefood diet?

    Quoted message said:

    Tryptophan and niacin are serotonin precursors. The body
    needs the b vitamins, folic acid and other micronutrients
    to convert niacin and tryptophan to serotonin. And in the
    absence of the above mentioned micronutrients, the bodies
    ability to produce serotonin is compromised, which leads
    to depression.

    Can you show a study which demonstrates this?

    Quoted message said:

    The temporary boost in serotonin from carbs is
    insignificant when compared to the long term depletion of
    serotonin that is caused by a diet high in refined carbs.

    Again, evidence?

    I did this research some time ago. It took me a fair amount
    of time to get all of this together. I did not document the
    sources. I simply know this to be true and I have seen b
    vitamin supplementation help a number of individuals with
    anxiety/depression, myself included.

    If you choose to challenge this, that is your perrogative.
    But you will have to provide your own proof to support it or
    to oppose it. Have at it, Moosh, I look forward to your
    dissertation. But I will not debate what I know to be true.

    TC

  11. "tcomeau" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]... But
    I will not

    Quoted message said:

    debate what I know to be true.

    TC

    Why not? A simple google search shows that a lot of people
    agree with you, indeed a lot of reputable institutions at
    that. No need to argue, just provide some linkage to satisfy
    Moosh's curiosity.

    -Chad

  12. "Chad C." <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "tcomeau" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]... But
    I will not

    Quoted message said:

    debate what I know to be true.

    TC

    Why not? A simple google search shows that a lot of people
    agree with you, indeed a lot of reputable institutions at
    that. No need to argue, just provide some linkage to
    satisfy Moosh's curiosity.

    -Chad

    Moosh can satisfy his own curiosity. That is if he is
    capable of doing any basic internet searches.

    TC

  13. On 30 Mar 2004 07:01:37 -0800, [email hidden] (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    "Moosh🙂" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    On 11 Mar 2004 12:17:56 -0800, [email hidden]
    (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    It is also interesting how they omit the fact that
    *refined* carbs play a key role in causing depression.

    Evidence?

    Quoted message said:

    Natural, wholefood carbs contain many b vitamins, folic
    acid and other important micronutrients that the body
    needs to metabolize sugars.

    Refined carbs are bereft of these micronutrients so the
    when the body metabolizes the carbs it ends up having to
    use its stores of the micronutrients which leads to
    deficiencies in these micro-nutrients.

    And if you consume plenty of B vitamins, via a varied
    wholefood diet?

    Quoted message said:

    Tryptophan and niacin are serotonin precursors. The body
    needs the b vitamins, folic acid and other
    micronutrients to convert niacin and tryptophan to
    serotonin. And in the absence of the above mentioned
    micronutrients, the bodies ability to produce serotonin
    is compromised, which leads to depression.

    Can you show a study which demonstrates this?

    Quoted message said:

    The temporary boost in serotonin from carbs is
    insignificant when compared to the long term depletion
    of serotonin that is caused by a diet high in refined
    carbs.

    Again, evidence?

    I did this research some time ago. It took me a fair amount
    of time to get all of this together. I did not document the
    sources. I simply know this to be true and I have seen b
    vitamin supplementation help a number of individuals with
    anxiety/depression, myself included.

    Most things taken for depression with the belief that they
    work will work. Go figure.

    Quoted message said:

    If you choose to challenge this, that is your perrogative.
    But you will have to provide your own proof to support it
    or to oppose it. Have at it, Moosh, I look forward to your
    dissertation. But I will not debate what I know to be true.

    That's much like your attitude to the invalidity of the
    calorie theory, No?

  14. On 31 Mar 2004 06:38:06 -0800, [email hidden] (tcomeau) posted:

    Quoted message said:

    "Chad C." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "tcomeau" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]... But
    I will not

    Quoted message said:

    debate what I know to be true.

    TC

    Why not? A simple google search shows that a lot of
    people agree with you, indeed a lot of reputable
    institutions at that. No need to argue, just provide some
    linkage to satisfy Moosh's curiosity.

    -Chad

    Moosh can satisfy his own curiosity. That is if he is
    capable of doing any basic internet searches.

    That's rich from someone who can't even find any
    confirmation of the principle of conservation of energy.

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