Diet Plans May Affect Mood

By Rachel Stockton 

We all know that what we eat can affect our mood; but a new study is proving that when trying to lose weight, the type of diet we follow can have a significant impact on mood stability.

The Australian study looked at 106 dieters; one half of the group went on a low fat diet, the other half were asked to try a low carb diet.  All dieters were on their eating plans for one year.  During that year, the participants met regularly with a dietician and also completed several mood surveys.

Both groups had the same daily calorie budget, and by the end of the year, both groups had lost 30 pounds.

At the beginning, both groups reported an improved mood right after starting on their eating plans.  But after time had passed, the researchers found that the elevation in mood didn’t last for those on the low carb diet, whereas it did for the low fat group.

The researchers speculated that it could be that the low carb eating plan was too radically different from the way the dieters had eaten before they began the plan, which might ultimately cause societal stress.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that diets that restrict certain foods can cause deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals.  Some dietary counselors recommend a vitamin B supplement for those going on the low carb diet, as whole grain and cereals (carbs) are the best sources of vitamin B. 

According to the Vitamin B Council, one study of 101 depressed people indicated that 21 of them were vitamin B-6 deficient.  The Council cited another study that revealed that those with a vitamin B-6 deficiency are more likely to be anxious and to have phobias.   Vitamin B-6 is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (www.vitaminbcouncil.org).