Carbs and depression

[byatt]

I suffer from depression. My mood has been pretty good despite lowering my dosage of anti-d's (with dr's consent)...well, admittedly I have had a very bad few days stress/emotional wise,lately, but I have a need to eat high sugar carbs when I feel like this...so, is it habit, the body wanting to increase endorphins (I exercise etc, but when depressed can barely get out of bed) or does eating these carbs aggravate the depression?

I know it's not possible to give a definitive answer, just wanted others' opinions or suggestions.

I just get so frustrated, the depression is bad enough, but then it's like I don't give a d**n about anything.

Sorry if I'm rambling. I'm on my own, and my dog is getting bored with this topic and stressing herself when I burst into tears for no reason! :roll:

 

[Dillinger]

Poor you - I'm sorry to hear that, and I'm sorry for your dog too!

I don't know about a link between carbohydrates and depression, but it seems to me that there is an often stated link between exercise and improving depression. So I guess you need to try and resist those urges to just forget everything and eat what you like and take a walk instead. Easier said then done I know...

I definitely find that I have more energy and sleep much better on a low carb diet, and I know that isn't the same thing at all as depression, but it may help you feel a bit better.

All the best

Dillinger

 

[AliB]

I can't speak from experience as I don't suffer with depression (plenty of other things, but not that!).

What I can say is that my daughter does, and she definitely is a carb-aholic when she is low. Because she was badly affected by the Anti-Ds she decided (with a little prompting) to try St John's Wort, and they have really kept her relatively stable.

Certainly my husband's depression was very much fuelled by gluten. Since dropping that he has been a different person. No more black dog. Focused, able to concentrate, able to remember, and much happier (and so am I!).

I suspect that gluten may well be behind my daughter's depressive and negative nature. She used to get night terrors as a child. I always knew they had something to do with food, but didn't know what - or what to do about it. My Dad used to suffer with depression and he had Candida issues too.

I also feel that there is a distinct link with Candida. Some people are very much affected mentally by the beggars. Carbs feed them and cutting carbs radically cuts off their food source and gets them more under control.

If alcohol makes you depressed then Candida is a very likely issue - one of the many different toxins they produce during their digestion of carbohydrates is Ethanol which is an alcohol. People with systemic Candida often report that it is like waking up with a permanent hangover. Other toxins they produce affect us in other ways. Certainly Candida has been an issue for both my daughter and my husband (and me too) in some way or another. I suspect that one of the reasons that St John's Wort works is because it is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, so may actually be helping to keep the yeasts down.

The low-carb, higher fat (especially coconut oil which has powerful anti-fungal properties) and probiotics for good gut flora regeneration certainly seems to make a lot of difference and if you can avoid grain-based carbs you may find things get better still.

The trouble is, when you are stressed it becomes automatic to reach for those 'comforting' carbs. I suspect that the stress triggered the carb-fest which triggered the depression?

 

[byatt]

Dillinger, thanks for your support. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Ali, that is interesting about your daughter and husband. I have been taking Q10 but ran out on the weekend, so that may have contributed to the problem too, waiting for it to be delivered. And yes, alcohol does make me depressed, not that I drink now, because of that reason. I shall read up more on Candida. I had started the coconut oil and then stopped recently suddenly, can't even remember why I stopped now. I had 'hangover' mornings frequently. Still have the poor memory but that might be related to other things.

I just find it annoying how I am such a carb-aholic when low. And wonder if it's a chemical thing, trying to replace the 'feel good' hormones, but of course it's just a short term effect. I didn't know if it was chemically driven or habit.

Thanks, all food for thought. (pardon the pun!)...

xxxx

 

[the_anticarb]

Yes - it is a chemical thing. Carbs affect serotonin pathways in the brain, so that you get a little 'high' when you eat them in large amounts. I speak as a reformed carbohydrate addict.

 

[byatt]

thanks, anti_carb.

so when my serotonin levels drop, (Having suffered childhood trauma, I suspect that the problem arises from that, not saying that's the case for everyone with low levels), my body tries to increase levels. Presumably, if I wasn't a carb-aholic, carbs would be useful for low level depression; to aleviate mood. However, one bite of a carb for me leads to excess.

You say you are reformed. But does that still mean you cannot eat carbs (in the sense of bread etc), without wanting more?

When I 'overdose' on carbs, I don't actually enjoy them now, but that doesn't stop me.

Anyway, I have my Q10 again, which seems to be helping a lot. Thank goodness.

 

[the_anticarb]

Hi Byatt

I stopped eating bread, cakes etc five months ago and haven't really touched them since so can't say for sure if I'd be able to stop if I ate them again ,but I suspect not as I never could before.

I keep my carb intake down to around 50g per day and don't eat any starchy foods. I have the odd bit of dark chocolate but a few squares seems to satisfy me.

I strongly suspect that if I started eating junk food again, I'd still be bingeing, so I don't.

 

[Doczoc]

I suffered with low mood for years, was treated for depression for a period. I can't tell you the difference going low carb has done for my mood. My wife thinks it's like I'm a different person. I also suffered sleep apnoea for years and that disappeared within two weeks of going low carb. I'm sure it's all liked, you may be different of course!

 

[maisiesgranny]

hi byatt, i have suffered with very bad depression before although, thanks to lots of support i got over it. when i was diagnosed with type 2 at christmas i was gutted, as i lost two family members at a young age due to diabetic complications and i used food to make me feel better if life was a bit difficult. i have amazed myself. ten months on, no meds, lost two stone so lots of nice new clothes and great bg numbers. here's how - i decided to try low carb after reading about it on this site and another one. it felt scary at first and i thought i'd die not being able to stuff myself with carbs, but i don't get cravings, don't get that starving feeling and after a while, my mood is very level. i just didn't realise how ill i'd felt for ages. i used to fall asleep given half a chance. i do go to the pool and swim and do aqua, (at 62, me who never would have done that) and i go a wee walk every day. since my husband died 12 years ago i have done a degree in fine art and travelled a lot. went twice to venice alone. when i was depressed i was scared to go anywhere. if i can, you can. it is a learning process and you have to be kind to yourself. i wish you all the best. there is life after depression, death in the family and diabetes! maisiesgranny

 

[byatt]

Had a 'binge' yesterday, though not as bad as in past binges and today I have been on the treadmill to compensate. Fighting the depression but sometimes I feel I want to just lay down and not wake up again. I am volunteering, starting GCSE maths and yoga, but sometimes it seems to me I'm just painting over the cracks.

I don't know how low my carb intake is when being good, which is most days, I don't eat bread etc, just veg and protein, and berries for dessert.

maisiesgranny, I am 56, just graduated with a degree in Health & Social Care. You are certainly an inspiration, especially about the travelling. I have always wanted to go to Venice but wasn't sure about being on my own. I do travel alone in the UK. My husband left 5.5 years ago, hence the degree now. Perhaps you can PM me about your travels, and give some tips for the lone traveller?

Thanks again for all the responses. I appreciate them.

 

[ShyGirl]

Sorry you are feeling so low. I'm really sad after reading the links between low moods and low carbs .The last two weeks i've kind of skipped meals and i've felt very low.

 

[AliB]

Hi shygirl.

Can I suggest you go back and read the thread again? It's not low carb that causes low moods, well, not in general anyway. Some get a bit low when they first start the diet but that is due to bodily changes. I think that most on this thread are saying that following a lower-carb regime has actually helped to stabilise their moods and lift their depression.

That is what has happened with my husband, especially when he dumped the gluten-based carbs.

It doesn't always happen overnight, but it does make a lot of difference once the body has settled into it.

Skipping meals is not the same as low-carbing. Skipping meals very likely could make you low as you may well have low blood sugar.

Low carbers do not normally skip meals, they just are disciplined with what food they have in them!

 

[maisiesgranny]

frommaisiesgrannyhi byatt, sorry i didn't get back to you sooner. i have been busy with grandaughter and my new'ish' lodger. she flies and has a new boyfriend and we had to have a friendly discussion about tidyness! anyway i went twice to the venice art bienalle. i booked the flight and a cheapish hotel at my local travel agent. the three sons were aghast and told me to stay near st mark's square and not go too far from there in the dark! i loved getting the vaparetto water bus to the rialto. there i was a plump granny (slimmer now) gliding down the grand canal which looked like a canaletto painting and the italian grannies with their pearls and shopping bags. it was surreal. i walked a lot and went to the academy art gallery and the guggenheim museum. i loved it. wasn't diabetic then though but i would go again. i am a christian which helps and i have my wee chat with god in my conservatory each morning and one of the best bits of advice in the bible is to take each day at a time. sounds like you are trying new things too and hopefully will make new friends. oh another thing i find useful is i write in my journal if i have issues and that is good. life isn't easy but i send you love and best wishes. anne