Posted by bluedog on December 17, 2002, at 21:30:47
In reply to Restricted carbohydrates... reduction in anxiety?, posted by Aadika on December 17, 2002, at 20:21:18
> I was just wondering if anyone else on a restricted carbohydrate diet has noticed a significant reduction in anxiety? Because I sure have. (not to mention the increase in energy, boost in self-esteem.......... and, oh yeah, all the weight that just melted away...)
>Hi Aadika
I think that when people see a reduction in anxiety, a boost in self esteem, and weight loss (for those that have problems with excess weight) from restricting carbohydrate intake I would say that the improvements comes about due to restriction in carbs with HIGH glycemic Indexes (GI's).
I too have seen a marked stabilisation in my mood by avoiding high GI foods when possible.The reason for this is that high GI foods are absorbed into your blood stream very quickly literally giving you a sugar rush but it inevitably leads to the crash that were all so familiar with. (ie mood and energy fluctuations).
On the other hand low GI foods are absorbed into your blood stream over a more sustained period leading to much more stable blood sugar levels which gives you the mood stabilisation that your talking about.I do not think it is healthy to almost completeley restrict one of the major macro-nutrients from your diet (ala Atkins or Montignac) but I strongly believe you should simply restrict or substitute low GI foods for high GI foods in your diet. (example eat muesli instead of Rice Bubbles for breakfast or eat organic brown rice instead of white rice at dinner time and you will definitely notice a difference in the stability of your mood and reduction in anxiety)
By the way you can actually reduce the overall GI index of a meal by mixing high GI foods with low GI foods. For example because I'm sort of addicted to Coca-Cola (high GI food) I make sure that I don't drink it on an empty stomach and will instead only drink Coke after I've eaten a lower GI meal like a banana with an apple or a sandwich made with whole organic ryebread (lower GI foods). This way I get to drink my coke but limit the blood sugar spikes that it can produce. However be aware that Coke has other things like caffeine in it that can increase your anxiety which is a whole other story (see my post on PB social board on this http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021206/msgs/33407.html ) but I was merely using this as an example from my own personal experience.
I hope I haven't confused you with my convoluted post.
kind regards
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:132232
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021217/msgs/132241.html