Anxiety - related to dieting?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Anxiety - related to dieting?
3
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 11:02am

HI !!! I use to be a frequent visitor to this board, but slowed down greatly over the last year or more.

I have a history of anxiety problems and panic attacks. I have not had any major issues with either of these things in the last 2 years, but lately it has been going crazy.

I'm curious if you ladies have ever experiences and increase of anxiety/panic feelings when on a diet. I started a diet that is basically no carbs and no sugar. I began loosing weight very rapidly, but I noticed that about 2 weeks into it I started to feel very irritable and have a very very high anxiety level. Borderline Anxiety attack all the time and also some moments where it feels like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. Which naturally makes me even more nervous. :)

I have read several things about the change in cholesterol levels, magnesium, and carbohydrates can affect the anxiety response in your body. How do I get around this ?? I still need to loose about 60 pounds... but I'd rather stay chunky than suffer through anxiety problems again. I have stopped taking the suppliments and stopped doing the food plan and it has slowed down alot, but has not stopped completely yet.

Any suggestions??

Thanks,
Valerie
DH - Tripp
DS - Devin 8/18/98
DD - Abby 2/24/04

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 3:36pm

Hi, Valerie! Nice to have you return. We're so happy you remembered us!


In my own experience with anxiety/panic any sort of changes to my regular routine can trigger my problems. Even what I call *sensations* will trigger, too. That is an ache, pain, twinge, illness

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 4:44pm

Valerie-

First, I am NOT a professional, so I can NOT give medical or nutritional advice. However, based on my experience, there are two possible links with a low carb plan:

1. Many people, in the first few weeks of a very low carb diet, experience emotional turbulence because of the shift from running on glucose to running on fat. Your brain runs only on glucose, and the process of converting fat to glucose is a slower one than converting protein and carbohydrates.

2. Are you eating frequently enough? When you are not eating carbohydrates, your body has very little to store in your liver. Typically, some excess glucose is stored in your liver. When your blood sugar drops, the liver coverts it back into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. If there is no glucose to store, there is none to release. If you are not eating frequently enough, you are likely to end up with low blood sugar between meals while your body looks for some energy stored in your muscles or fat.

This is my understanding of the process. Again, I am NOT A PROFESSIONAL.

From personal experience, adding some high fiber carbohydrates to your diet should not stall weight loss. If I were in this situation, I would try adding more veggies or a little good whole grains like steel cut oats or wild rice.

Do you have access to a nutritionist? Most do not like low carb diets. He or she should be able to give you a qualified explanation of how your diet is affecting your moods, and create an eating plan that will healp you lose weight without triggering your anxiety.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 5:23pm

Welcome back!

Sheri Ann