A possible link between low carb and anxiety
Q.Keeping insulin sensitivity high and insulin levels lower. Insulin lowers cortisol binding globulin, the protein that delivers cortisol to our cells. When the cells don't get enough due to lowered CBG, they signal the pituitary to crank out more ACTH to stimulate the adrenals to produce more cortisol. Low carbing, with higher fat, is an optimal dietary intervention for cortisol lowering. Often, psychotic depressin, bipolar disorder, moderate depression and anxiety respond to cortisol lowering intervetions, resolving completely.
A.One would think that if LC had any noticeable and significant link to trigerring anxiety disorders, it would be very obvious. There are lots of people with anxiety disorders and lots of people doing LC. If LC lead to this effect, it should be quite common. On the other hand, I can see how starting LC could trigger a panic attack in someone already known to have them. People commonly have some physical symptoms in the first days of sever carb restriction. And if they start to focus on those symptoms, worry etc, it could trigger an attack. At least it's better than what sugar is supposed to do to you. Remember the guy in San Francisco that shot and killed councilman Harvey Milk and used the twinkie defense to get away with it? I never had panic attacks nor anxiety or depressive disorder, but I had three weeks of intense, jittery agitation on Atkins induction levels followed by a paralyzing depression. No doubt this related to the reduced insulin secretion that meant I was no longer suppressing my hyper adrenal function. As Susan points out below many people show improved mood while low carbing. I had always attributed that to stable insulin and thus stable blood sugar. Sounds like there's more to it than that. Resting metabolism is controlled by several levels of hormone feedback loops, so it makes sense that mood effects are as well. You're diabetic, right? Sounds like feedback that favors following the directions for Atkins and moving on to OWL on day 15, as well as the directions to work with your doctor to control carb intake and insulin doses. Dr A did discuss adrenal exhaustion in one of his books - I had previously thought it had more to do with setting glucagon output without considering the other better know effects of adrenaline.
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