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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 13:54:33
I just started the Atkins diet a week ago and lost five pounds. I feel great. I have more energy than I've had in five years. This feels soooo right.
Trouble is, I also feel a little anxious. I can't pinpoint it. It might be situational; PBA makes me anxious, so I will not go there again.
But I wonder if there's something about having only 20 grams of carbs that has an effect on serotonin. I mean, I'm sure it does, but Atkins (I know, I know; he was something of a quack, though I think he's right about nutrition) says you're supposed to be able to overcome depression and anxiety through his diet.
I'll call my Pdoc tomorrow, but I'm wondering if I should increase my Serzone temporarily.
weirdy beardy : )>
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 14:55:07
In reply to Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 13:54:33
> I just started the Atkins diet a week ago and lost five pounds. I feel great. I have more energy than I've had in five years. This feels soooo right.
I'm glad it's working for you. I do best when I avoid carbs, too.
> Trouble is, I also feel a little anxious. I can't pinpoint it. It might be situational; PBA makes me anxious, so I will not go there again.
Well, I don't know why you'd associate anxiety with a website (wink). Just do some things that normally calm you down. A hot bath. Scented candles. You know the drill.
> But I wonder if there's something about having only 20 grams of carbs that has an effect on serotonin. I mean, I'm sure it does, but Atkins (I know, I know; he was something of a quack, though I think he's right about nutrition) says you're supposed to be able to overcome depression and anxiety through his diet.I'm not in agreement that Atkins was a quack. Read:
http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/articles/fatlie.shtmlI'm sure there's an adjustment period that comes with the diet change.
> I'll call my Pdoc tomorrow, but I'm wondering if I should increase my Serzone temporarily.
>
> weirdy beardy : )>I wouldn't adjust your meds. Meditate. Nose breathing. Ice cream. Peace.
Lar
Posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 15:48:52
In reply to Re: Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 14:55:07
> Well, I don't know why you'd associate anxiety with a website (wink). Just do some things that normally calm you down. A hot bath. Scented candles. You know the drill.
Yes, been doing these things.
> I'm not in agreement that Atkins was a quack.
I only say this because of yeast. But I can't go into that here. I think most of his nututional advice was sound. I will read the link, though.
> I wouldn't adjust your meds. Meditate. Nose breathing. Ice cream. Peace.
C'mon. You know I can't do ice cream! Sheesh. (And now that I have this cold, I can't do much nose breathing, either.)
Thanks for the advice. I really think it may have been the board. Guess you've had your share of anxiety from it as well.
Even though we try not to let it get to us, it's never a happy time when someone says mean things about you.
Take care, and thanks.
beardy : )>
Posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 15:52:10
In reply to Re: Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 14:55:07
I read it the week it came out. It made me want to do Atkins then, but I had already cut out bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes and seemed to be doing fine on Weight Watchers. I stopped losing after 16 pounds some time in October, and, when Atkins fell on the ice, I was reminded of his diet.
beardy
Posted by lady fever on April 20, 2003, at 16:21:20
In reply to Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 13:54:33
Maybe your blood sugar is getting low from lack of carbs? That makes me jittery and anxious (whenever I've dieted, usually on a low-carb diet).
You could try to have your blood sugar tested, it's a finger prick.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 16:24:32
In reply to You are a prince, Larry. » Larry Hoover, posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 15:48:52
> > I wouldn't adjust your meds. Meditate. Nose breathing. Ice cream. Peace.
>
> C'mon. You know I can't do ice cream! Sheesh. (And now that I have this cold, I can't do much nose breathing, either.)Why can't you do ice cream? It's a valid treatment fer what ails ya. Moderation is the only rule I follow (and I apply that moderately too).
Lar
Posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 16:31:13
In reply to Re: You are a prince, Larry., posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 16:24:32
Well, duh. I just told you I'm doing Atkins. Only 20 grams of carbs allowed in the first two weeks, and none of them are ice cream carbs. (Though later, I can make my own with faux sugar!)
I have no time for moderation right now. It's swimsuit season. : )>
beardy : )>
Posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 16:34:20
In reply to Re: Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by lady fever on April 20, 2003, at 16:21:20
I was under the impression that your blood sugar didn't really rise or fall on Atkins, that it stayed level, unless you're hungry.
This is obviously a complaint of Atkins dieters, as there's always an excuse for everything; e.g. you're jittery because you're breaking an addiction to carbs.
Thanks for the idea.
beardo
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 17:16:38
In reply to ice cream » Larry Hoover, posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 16:31:13
> Well, duh. I just told you I'm doing Atkins. Only 20 grams of carbs allowed in the first two weeks, and none of them are ice cream carbs. (Though later, I can make my own with faux sugar!)
I haven't read Atkins in twenty years. I didn't recall that there was a period of carb elimination. I don't do diets well. I moderate too much. Heh.
> I have no time for moderation right now. It's swimsuit season. : )>
>
> beardy : )>Swimsuit season? The snow just melted three days ago, up here. I could still find some, I'd wager, without looking too hard.
Lar
P.S. Why do you use the nick "beardy", eh?
Posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 18:34:17
In reply to Re: ice cream, posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 17:16:38
It's from an Ani Difranco song, "'tis of thee."
"i ran away with the circus/there's still some honest work left for bearded ladies/but it's not the same goin' town to town/since they put everyone in jail except the cleavers and the bradys."
Oh, and the fact that I have a beard helps, too.
beardy : )>
Posted by John2222 on April 20, 2003, at 19:13:06
In reply to Re: ice cream, posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2003, at 17:16:38
Without getting into a food-Diet-fight here, I skimmed the referenced article and I would like to put in my 2 cents for The Zone diet which is a more moderate one by Dr. Sears.
It also emphasizes a balance (zone) of foods to keep blood sugar even. It is 40% carbo, 30% protein, and %30 healthy fat (mono unsaturated). So it's not really a low carb diet like Atkins, but it essentially is a carbohydrate-restricted one.
It really makes one feel even and avoids the suger highs/lows of the low-fat/hi-carb diet.
So, if you can't manage the extreme strictness of Atkins, I personally recommend The Zone.
john
Posted by jflange on April 20, 2003, at 21:20:13
In reply to Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 13:54:33
Hi beardy:
I was exactly where you are last September: first few weeks of Atkins and the bittersweet combination of weight loss and a spike of anxiety. I played dosage games with my Zoloft. I went up thinking that if carbs = serotonin; then low carb = low serotonin. And then I read Atkins again and he suggested that meds would have to be adjusted down on this diet so I did this as well. In the long run, this is what worked for me. But here is my advice for right now:
1. Make sure you are supplementing with cal/mag and potassium because you lose these minerals very fast in the induction diet and you get heart pound big time.
2. You may discover during your Ongoing weight loss period that you will need to keep the carbs on the high end of what Atkins suggests in order to stem the anxiety that can sometimes come with low carbing + meds.
3. If your anxiety does not go away, try going down on your dose just a bit. I know it seems counterintuitive, but for some reason, meds work more efficiently when on his diet. Go figure.Oh, and as for the ice cream: in a few weeks, it's ok for you to splurge on the "no sugar added" ice cream. There's also a low carb ice cream that is called "Le Carb". Not bad!
jflange
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 20, 2003, at 22:46:37
In reply to ice cream » Larry Hoover, posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 16:31:13
Be sure you are getting enough potasium and calcium. Also, be sure you are getting enough protein and good fat :)
I have been doing protein power and atkins for a year...actually the last 4 month I have been on and off, but before that I was on for 8 months. I lost 25 lbs.
I am going on strick 20 grams tomorrow.
Poor Dr Atkins, the fall on the ice did him in.
Posted by Ron Hill on April 21, 2003, at 3:17:26
In reply to Atkins and Serotonin (Larry?), posted by beardedlady on April 20, 2003, at 13:54:33
> I just started the Atkins diet a week ago and lost five pounds. I feel great. I have more energy than I've had in five years. This feels soooo right.
I thought you were doing the Zone thing, Beardy.
> Trouble is, I also feel a little anxious. I can't pinpoint it. ... But I wonder if there's something about having only 20 grams of carbs that has an effect on serotonin.
Hey, I don't know if this has any application, but I'll share it 'cause it sounds similar. Back in the early '80's, some of the guys I trained with would go on a carb depravation diet followed by a carb loading diet during the final two weeks of preparation for their marathons. Beginning two weeks before the event, they would go for one week eating only protein and a small amount of fat. Carbs were avoided like the plague. This carb deprivation made them irritable, anxious, and it disturbed their sleep patterns.
The carb depravation week was followed by a week of carb loading leading up to race day. Within a few minutes of eating their first carb loading meal, their moods would change from grumpy and mad to happy and content, their anxiety levels declined, and when they went to sleep that night, their sleep patterns were back to normal.
-- Ron
Posted by beardedlady on April 21, 2003, at 5:56:54
In reply to Re: ice cream, posted by John2222 on April 20, 2003, at 19:13:06
I have done both, and I find the Zone to be waaaaay more strict than Atkins. The portions are too small, and I was always hungry. Though I measured everything, I was never in "the zone."
I also hate the idea behind Sears's food as medicine philosophy. His "diet" really lacks passion--for me, anyway. I like the way Atkins describes rich, fatty foods. And I never, for a moment, feel deprived. On the Zone, I did.
I do find Sears's science to be logical; I just don't like the way of eating. I found it to be incredibly boring, and the amount of veggies was overwhelming! And though I followed it to the letter, I didn't lose a pound.
Thanks for the suggestion. I just wanted to add my experience with the Zone.
beardy : )>
Posted by beardedlady on April 21, 2003, at 6:07:54
In reply to Re: Atkins and Low Serotonin, posted by jflange on April 20, 2003, at 21:20:13
Wise words, all.
jflange: I take a 500 mg. of calcium and 200 of magnesium at dinner time. I have not gotten leg cramps. I guess I should add potassium. (I am concerned, however, because I've had two ophthalmic migraines this week, and it had been well over a month since I'd had one. One happened the morning after bacon; the other, the morning after a hot dog. Maybe nitrites.) I'm looking forward to my low-carb ice cream (I like to make ice cream).
blondegirl47: Poor Doc. I'm glad he didn't die of heart disease or malnutrition, though. A fall on the ice, at his age, seems the least damaging to his reputation (not to be callous about it, since it's sad no matter what). I'll get some potassium. Any mg. recommendations with my 500 calcium and 200 magnesium?
Ron: I hated the Zone. I think those folks were cranky because they weren't eating enough fat and because they were addicted to carbs. I'm certainly addicted to carbs, but I haven't really been cranky. I've had lots of energy and feel great. On the Zone, I was cranky, bored, tired. Thankfully, Atkins isn't disturbing my sleep. I had a few bad sleeping pill nights in a row, but it's mostly because I stayed at my mother-in-law's for a couple nights, and it's where I first got insomnia, so I have a mental thing about it!
Thanks, all. Diets always make for good discussion. Problem is, diet discussions make me hungry. Time for my Morningstar Farms faux sausage patties (2=2 carbs) sprinkled with Jack and cheddar.
beardy : )>
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 21, 2003, at 8:20:05
In reply to To all of yas plus » jflange, posted by beardedlady on April 21, 2003, at 6:07:54
This is the end of the thread.
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