VLC, IF = Depression? page

[healthy11]

Has anyone noticed that they become depressed either when eating very low-carb or IFing?

[Dragonfly]

Nope.

[brahnamin]

Nope. I actually took to both rather well.

[brahnamin]

By chance are you within the first couple weeks of either? THAT part can be tough. Beyond that I would examine *what* you are eating on VLC/IF and see if perhaps you are shorting yourself on key vitamins or minerals.

You also might consider that VLC/IF just aren't for you. My wife does poorly on both.

[Herbwifemama]

Yes,if you don't eat enough carbs, your serotonin levels will go down. I'm not sure about all the science behind it, but that part does make sense to me. I am embarking on the potatoes not prozac program to kick my sugar habit (while remaining primal), and a lot of the brain chemistry is explained in there. Even if you don't do the program, that particular chapter in the book is worth reading. I wrote the book off for a long time cause "potatoes are carby, they'll make me fat, I'm not doing anything that makes me eat potatoes", and now that I've actually READ the BOOK, it makes more sense, and I can see the value of it. So yeah, I recommend it.

[Zed]

Nope. However, i do feel much better (better sleep, more energy, etc) since starting adding more starchy sources (orange/white sweet potatoes, yucca, etc), but always staying within 120-150 gram area.

VLC is not everyone, and it is not mandated in the Paleo/Primal lifestyle unless you want to lose weight or any other reason you might have for being VLC.

[primalprincess7]

yeh this happened to my brother.

[weird fish]

Yes,if you don't eat enough carbs, your serotonin levels will go down. I'm not sure about all the science behind it, but that part does make sense to me. I am embarking on the potatoes not prozac program to kick my sugar habit (while remaining primal), and a lot of the brain chemistry is explained in there. Even if you don't do the program, that particular chapter in the book is worth reading. I wrote the book off for a long time cause "potatoes are carby, they'll make me fat, I'm not doing anything that makes me eat potatoes", and now that I've actually READ the BOOK, it makes more sense, and I can see the value of it. So yeah, I recommend it.

One of the supports people use for a VLC diet is 'there are essential fatty acids and essential amino acids, but no essential carbohydrates'. Fine, but that doesn't mean that carbohydrates don't play an important role in the metabolism of those fatty acids and amino acids.

[PaleoMom]

VLC does that for me, but it seems to relieve depression for my husband. IF is just awesome all around and I wouldn't consider that a contributing factor at all.

[loafingcactus]

A weird combo of sluggish and jittery. I call it "carb panic" because my perception is of the jittery outweighing the sluggish. I could see how someone else could perceive it as depression. I sort of like it as a vacation from a Type A life, "What, me care? And do? How about I lay in the sun and nap instead."n i know that doesn't mesh with the jittery, but when you are normally someone who has to solve all known problems, it is restful. Someone else already mentioned the role of carbs in seratonin. Also, exercise... A walk does a brain good. It triggers the release of glucose, growth hormone and other stuff.