Sugar and Depression

#1

When I was diagnosed with fructose malabsorption in 2008, I had to do a CRAPTON of research via PubMed. There wasn’t much online at the time and the low FODMAP diet was just a sparkle in the internet’s eye.

Now, I’ve always had a massive struggle dealing with depression, of which I’ve detailed in an email to the dudes and that I won’t get into here, but one of the “ah-ha” moments after my fructose malabsorption diagnosis was the possible correllation between diet and tryptophan levels.

I’m no science-y type, but I thought I’d share some of the scientific journal articles I found. When I adhered to a very low fructose diet (and now the ketogenic diet), I had significant stabilization of my mood and depression, to the point where I was able to taper off of my medications.

If you’re interested in getting the full articles, check out your local library, or if you’re in school, your school library. You should be able to get the full articles from the databases they subscribe to or get a copy via Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

I hope this is as fascinating to you as it was to me. :slight_smile:

#2

And since I could only include 2 links at a time, here’s two more journal article abstracts.

(AnnaLeeThal) #3

Thank you! I have struggled with depression my entire adult and adolescent life, and my mood has certainly stabilized on Keto. It probably helps that I’m feeding my brain with healthy fats too.

#4

It is a fascinating topic. Your mention of tryptophan made me think of my migraine history and treatment (triptans). There is no coincidence that the two trigger each other and that both have been helped considerably with keto for me. I used to average 3 migraines a week minimum. The last few months off triptans and on keto I have averaged less than that a month. I am also tapering off my SNRI and have come off the night time anti depressant meds. For me, the most profound effect keto has is on my brain.

(Meeping up the Science!) #5

Triptophan is the precursor for serotonin and also melatonin. It’s also used in the synthesis of niacin. Very vital for healthy brain function.

(8 year Ketogenic Veteran) #6

Ditto

#7

and I have a feeling that triptans affect tryptophan in some way? Hence the name I guess!

#8

The theory in the first article I linked to says that when there’s excess fructose floating around, it binds with L-tryptophan which then creates a fatty protein that then inhibits the production of serotonin.

And that little bit is what makes me think that I’ve always had fructose malabsorption. I’ve struggled with terrible depression since I was young. I don’t think it was normal for my eight year old self to fixate on suicide.

This is, aside from keto aligning really well with the fructose malabsorption diet, the reason why I will always be keto. To me, it’s not a diet, it’s my life and I never want to go back to that mental darkness that plagued me for the majority of my life.

(Sorry for any errors, I’m replying on my phone while on the way to my birthday dinner).

(Meeping up the Science!) #9

Tristan drugs are serotonin agonists. Agonists bind to receptors and cause an effect. Serotonin is an agonist for serotonin receptors, for instance. There are actually many kinds of serotonin molecules and all have different receptors. These drugs in particular cause vasoconstriction which is why they are thought to relieve migraines

(albertinelaurent) #10

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