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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2009, at 19:50:14
Could craving carbs signal depression to manufacture serotonin? Phillipa
Recognizing the Symptoms of DepressionThis content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is funded by Lilly USA.
Font SizeA A A Craving Carbs: Is It Depression?
Many people crave carbohydrates when they feel low.
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD FeatureReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MDDoes a bad day at the office or a tiff with your spouse send you marching to the cookie jar or the corner bakery?Or do you find yourself at the vending machine every day precisely at 4 p.m. for some crackers or candy?
If either scenario fits, you're not alone. Many people crave carbohydrates -- especially cookies, candy, or ice cream -- when they feel upset, depressed, or tired.
"Carb craving is part of daily life," says Judith Wurtman, PhD, a former scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet. She and her husband, MIT professor Richard J. Wurtman, have long researched carbohydrates and their link to mood and depression.
The Wurtmans published a landmark article about carbs and depression in Scientific American in 1989. They are convinced that the carbohydrate craving is related to decreases in the feel-good hormone serotonin, which is marked by a decline in mood and concentration.
Other experts arent so sure. Some wonder if depressed mood and reaching for carbs are both related to an external event -- such as the stock market decline -- or to simply habit.
Carbohydrate Cravings: What's Known? What's Debated?
Carb cravings seem to be related to decreases in serotonin activity, says Wurtman."We discovered years and years ago that many people experience the 'universal carbohydrate craving time' between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day," she says. "I suspect the tradition of English tea with its carb offering is a ritual developed to fill this need."
"It's a real neurochemical phenomenon," she says.
The Wurtmans work, however, has its skeptics.
Edward Abramson, PhD, a psychologist and professor emeritus at California State University, Chico, wrote the book Emotional Eating. He does not think the link is strong and clear-cut.
"You could be down because of loss of money in the stock market," he says. "The depression is triggered by an external event, not by [only] a dip in serotonin. It may be the external event causing the dip in serotonin, not the dip occurring, then the craving, he says.
Another possibility, says Abramson, is that carb craving may be just a habit, learned early. For instance, a woman brought up to believe that anger is not an acceptable emotion may turn to eating treats such as cookies instead -- because that's what she did as a kid and perhaps was encouraged to do by a parent.
Carb cravings can also result from diets, says Evelyn Tribole, RD, a dietitian in Newport Beach, Calif., and author of Healthy Homestyle Cooking.
She sees quite a few dieters who crave carbohydrates, especially if theyre on one of the high-protein, low-carb diets.
"You don't want to kill for a piece of broccoli, but you'd kill for a piece of bread. It's a clear signal, she says, that your body needs more carbs. Its not an abnormal craving
Recognizing the Symptoms of DepressionThis content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is funded by Lilly USA.
Font SizeA A A Craving Carbs: Is It Depression?
Many people crave carbohydrates when they feel low.
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD FeatureReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MDDoes a bad day at the office or a tiff with your spouse send you marching to the cookie jar or the corner bakery?Or do you find yourself at the vending machine every day precisely at 4 p.m. for some crackers or candy?
If either scenario fits, you're not alone. Many people crave carbohydrates -- especially cookies, candy, or ice cream -- when they feel upset, depressed, or tired.
"Carb craving is part of daily life," says Judith Wurtman, PhD, a former scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet. She and her husband, MIT professor Richard J. Wurtman, have long researched carbohydrates and their link to mood and depression.
The Wurtmans published a landmark article about carbs and depression in Scientific American in 1989. They are convinced that the carbohydrate craving is related to decreases in the feel-good hormone serotonin, which is marked by a decline in mood and concentration.
Other experts arent so sure. Some wonder if depressed mood and reaching for carbs are both related to an external event -- such as the stock market decline -- or to simply habit.
Carbohydrate Cravings: What's Known? What's Debated?
Carb cravings seem to be related to decreases in serotonin activity, says Wurtman."We discovered years and years ago that many people experience the 'universal carbohydrate craving time' between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day," she says. "I suspect the tradition of English tea with its carb offering is a ritual developed to fill this need."
"It's a real neurochemical phenomenon," she says.
The Wurtmans work, however, has its skeptics.
Edward Abramson, PhD, a psychologist and professor emeritus at California State University, Chico, wrote the book Emotional Eating. He does not think the link is strong and clear-cut.
"You could be down because of loss of money in the stock market," he says. "The depression is triggered by an external event, not by [only] a dip in serotonin. It may be the external event causing the dip in serotonin, not the dip occurring, then the craving, he says.
Another possibility, says Abramson, is that carb craving may be just a habit, learned early. For instance, a woman brought up to believe that anger is not an acceptable emotion may turn to eating treats such as cookies instead -- because that's what she did as a kid and perhaps was encouraged to do by a parent.
Carb cravings can also result from diets, says Evelyn Tribole, RD, a dietitian in Newport Beach, Calif., and author of Healthy Homestyle Cooking.
She sees quite a few dieters who crave carbohydrates, especially if theyre on one of the high-protein, low-carb diets.
"You don't want to kill for a piece of broccoli, but you'd kill for a piece of bread. It's a clear signal, she says, that your body needs more carbs. Its not an abnormal craving
Posted by Maria3667 on June 12, 2009, at 3:39:23
In reply to Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2009, at 19:50:14
Hi Philippa,
Yes interesting!!
Lot of recognition here.Love M.
Posted by Ladyraven on June 12, 2009, at 18:49:47
In reply to Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2009, at 19:50:14
> Could craving carbs signal depression to manufacture serotonin? Phillipa
>If that's the case then I know no one in my RL that doesn't have a serotonin problem. Maybe it's the company I keep. I know some who are better at not giving into the cravings but I know no one who gears down on carbs who calls it a walk in the park and enjoys it. ;)
Posted by Phillipa on June 12, 2009, at 19:28:34
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by Ladyraven on June 12, 2009, at 18:49:47
Have to have my truffles. Phillipa
Posted by Ladyraven on June 13, 2009, at 5:29:43
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression???? » Ladyraven, posted by Phillipa on June 12, 2009, at 19:28:34
I had a cousin who did one of the low carb high protein eating plans for a time and did lose a measure of some kind of weight. Seemed to be mostly a water loss situation. She was and is a highly ambitious very functional and successful person. She did see pounds off for a time but found even with the good carb allowances it was a very diffcult plan to maintain. The more she deprived, the worse the want.
I'm wild over Reese's Peanut Butter cups myself.
Posted by bulldog2 on June 13, 2009, at 11:04:43
In reply to Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by Phillipa on June 11, 2009, at 19:50:14
> Could craving carbs signal depression to manufacture serotonin? Phillipa
>
> Recognizing the Symptoms of DepressionThis content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is funded by Lilly USA.
> Font SizeA A A Craving Carbs: Is It Depression?
> Many people crave carbohydrates when they feel low.
> By Kathleen Doheny
> WebMD FeatureReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MDDoes a bad day at the office or a tiff with your spouse send you marching to the cookie jar or the corner bakery?
>
> Or do you find yourself at the vending machine every day precisely at 4 p.m. for some crackers or candy?
>
> If either scenario fits, you're not alone. Many people crave carbohydrates -- especially cookies, candy, or ice cream -- when they feel upset, depressed, or tired.
>
> "Carb craving is part of daily life," says Judith Wurtman, PhD, a former scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet. She and her husband, MIT professor Richard J. Wurtman, have long researched carbohydrates and their link to mood and depression.
>
> The Wurtmans published a landmark article about carbs and depression in Scientific American in 1989. They are convinced that the carbohydrate craving is related to decreases in the feel-good hormone serotonin, which is marked by a decline in mood and concentration.
>
> Other experts arent so sure. Some wonder if depressed mood and reaching for carbs are both related to an external event -- such as the stock market decline -- or to simply habit.
>
> Carbohydrate Cravings: What's Known? What's Debated?
> Carb cravings seem to be related to decreases in serotonin activity, says Wurtman.
>
> "We discovered years and years ago that many people experience the 'universal carbohydrate craving time' between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day," she says. "I suspect the tradition of English tea with its carb offering is a ritual developed to fill this need."
>
> "It's a real neurochemical phenomenon," she says.
>
> The Wurtmans work, however, has its skeptics.
>
> Edward Abramson, PhD, a psychologist and professor emeritus at California State University, Chico, wrote the book Emotional Eating. He does not think the link is strong and clear-cut.
>
> "You could be down because of loss of money in the stock market," he says. "The depression is triggered by an external event, not by [only] a dip in serotonin. It may be the external event causing the dip in serotonin, not the dip occurring, then the craving, he says.
>
> Another possibility, says Abramson, is that carb craving may be just a habit, learned early. For instance, a woman brought up to believe that anger is not an acceptable emotion may turn to eating treats such as cookies instead -- because that's what she did as a kid and perhaps was encouraged to do by a parent.
>
> Carb cravings can also result from diets, says Evelyn Tribole, RD, a dietitian in Newport Beach, Calif., and author of Healthy Homestyle Cooking.
>
> She sees quite a few dieters who crave carbohydrates, especially if theyre on one of the high-protein, low-carb diets.
>
> "You don't want to kill for a piece of broccoli, but you'd kill for a piece of bread. It's a clear signal, she says, that your body needs more carbs. Its not an abnormal craving
> Recognizing the Symptoms of DepressionThis content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is funded by Lilly USA.
> Font SizeA A A Craving Carbs: Is It Depression?
> Many people crave carbohydrates when they feel low.
> By Kathleen Doheny
> WebMD FeatureReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MDDoes a bad day at the office or a tiff with your spouse send you marching to the cookie jar or the corner bakery?
>
> Or do you find yourself at the vending machine every day precisely at 4 p.m. for some crackers or candy?
>
> If either scenario fits, you're not alone. Many people crave carbohydrates -- especially cookies, candy, or ice cream -- when they feel upset, depressed, or tired.
>
> "Carb craving is part of daily life," says Judith Wurtman, PhD, a former scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet. She and her husband, MIT professor Richard J. Wurtman, have long researched carbohydrates and their link to mood and depression.
>
> The Wurtmans published a landmark article about carbs and depression in Scientific American in 1989. They are convinced that the carbohydrate craving is related to decreases in the feel-good hormone serotonin, which is marked by a decline in mood and concentration.
>
> Other experts arent so sure. Some wonder if depressed mood and reaching for carbs are both related to an external event -- such as the stock market decline -- or to simply habit.
>
> Carbohydrate Cravings: What's Known? What's Debated?
> Carb cravings seem to be related to decreases in serotonin activity, says Wurtman.
>
> "We discovered years and years ago that many people experience the 'universal carbohydrate craving time' between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day," she says. "I suspect the tradition of English tea with its carb offering is a ritual developed to fill this need."
>
> "It's a real neurochemical phenomenon," she says.
>
> The Wurtmans work, however, has its skeptics.
>
> Edward Abramson, PhD, a psychologist and professor emeritus at California State University, Chico, wrote the book Emotional Eating. He does not think the link is strong and clear-cut.
>
> "You could be down because of loss of money in the stock market," he says. "The depression is triggered by an external event, not by [only] a dip in serotonin. It may be the external event causing the dip in serotonin, not the dip occurring, then the craving, he says.
>
> Another possibility, says Abramson, is that carb craving may be just a habit, learned early. For instance, a woman brought up to believe that anger is not an acceptable emotion may turn to eating treats such as cookies instead -- because that's what she did as a kid and perhaps was encouraged to do by a parent.
>
> Carb cravings can also result from diets, says Evelyn Tribole, RD, a dietitian in Newport Beach, Calif., and author of Healthy Homestyle Cooking.
>
> She sees quite a few dieters who crave carbohydrates, especially if theyre on one of the high-protein, low-carb diets.
>
> "You don't want to kill for a piece of broccoli, but you'd kill for a piece of bread. It's a clear signal, she says, that your body needs more carbs. Its not an abnormal craving
>I thought you were in remission?
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2009, at 20:45:42
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by bulldog2 on June 13, 2009, at 11:04:43
I never said that I think you said you were or am I misreading again? Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on June 16, 2009, at 10:41:55
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression???? » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2009, at 20:45:42
> I never said that I think you said you were or am I misreading again? Phillipa
Yes I am on my new combo. I thought you said you were also in remission with hormones.
Posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2009, at 20:00:20
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by bulldog2 on June 16, 2009, at 10:41:55
Bulldog no this is funny. Senior moments maybe? Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on June 18, 2009, at 10:14:01
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression???? » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2009, at 20:00:20
> Bulldog no this is funny. Senior moments maybe? Phillipa
Yes along with my new hip!
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2009, at 20:41:07
In reply to Re: Carb Cravings Depression????, posted by bulldog2 on June 18, 2009, at 10:14:01
You seriously got a new hip? Phillipa
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