Can Keto Diet Cause Anxiety?

Can keto diet cause anxiety? Anxiety affects millions of people worldwide, from children to senior citizens, and many millions more know someone who suffers from anxiety. Whether your anxiety manifests itself in the form of social phobia, generalized anxiety, or panic attacks, you’re not alone: According to research, over 40 million people suffer from an anxiety disorder in the United States alone.

This insinuates that anxiety is a serious condition that can affect anyone at any time in their life, which is why it’s essential to understand what causes anxiety and how it can be managed. There have been claims that the keto diet can cause anxiety due to low serotonin levels and potential issues with mineral intake. But are these claims real? Well, let’s find out!

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Can Keto Diet Cause Anxiety?

 

Studies show that a high ketogenic diet lacks enough sugar to produce serotonin in the brain. That lack of serotonin can lead to symptoms of depression, fatigue, and irritability. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone in your brain responsible for feelings of well-being and happiness.

The less you have, the more likely you feel depressed or anxious. On the other hand, it’s possible that a higher carbohydrate intake could provide more stable blood glucose levels, which could decrease feelings of anxiety and lead to an improved mood. As always, with these things, it’s best to consult your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms.

 

Do Low Carb Diets Cause Anxiety?

 

Low-carb diets may cause anxiety, and it may be due to the lack of carbohydrates in the diet. This means a low sugar level that may be able to produce as much serotonin as possible.

 

As a result, you could end up feeling irritable or fatigued because you’re low on energy from carbs too. The symptoms are similar to those experienced with panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, and shaking.

Due to low carb, high-fat diets can affect the nervous system and the brain, leading to problems such as mood changes, sleep difficulties, irritability, and more. These effects are more prominent when going on keto for a long period or if you have a history of eating disorders or mental health problems.

Can Ketogenic Diets Affect Mental Health? – Can keto diet cause anxiety?

 

The ketogenic diet is one of the most restrictive diets in existence. It severely restricts sugar, grains, dairy, and legumes to force your body into ketosis. While many people see significant improvements in their mental health on the keto diet, others may experience a worsening of their symptoms. For example, some individuals with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders may notice an increase in manic episodes if they do not take medication.

 

Yet there’s also evidence that suggests that keto can be beneficial for those with certain conditions. So, Can keto diet cause anxiety? One study found that patients with type 2 diabetes reported lower levels of depression than non-diabetic controls after following the ketogenic diet for two years. Another showed a significant decrease in panic attacks among patients with chronic PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after three months of following the ketogenic diet.

 

These findings suggest that there are benefits for those suffering from certain mental illnesses when it comes to low-carb eating. But it’s important to remember that the ketogenic diet has many side effects, including increased hunger and fatigue. Those with anxiety should consult a doctor before trying new dietary changes, such as limiting carbs.

 

Does Eating Carbs Help With Anxiety?

 

Carbohydrates are meant to boost the serotonin amount in your brain. When you eat more carbs, you have a higher production of this neurotransmitter. Consuming too many carbs can cause your body to feel good and full, which leads to a decrease in the production of serotonin.

Hence, this is why it’s so crucial that keto dieters only consume 225-325g of net carbohydrates per day for optimal mental health. Basically, serotonin has a calming effect on the amygdala in your brain. The amygdala is responsible for controlling feelings like fear and anxiety.

With less serotonin, these feelings become more prevalent or amplified within you. Low-carb diets may lead to panic attacks because they can affect how the amygdala functions or alters its activity level and reduce serotonin levels which means increased anxiety levels.

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Can Keto Help Panic Attacks?

 

Reports show that following keto can help minimize the symptoms of fear, anxiety, and depression symptoms for some people. Low-carb diets are a healthy way to lose weight and improve your health by getting rid of the inflammation that often causes these issues.

If you are experiencing one or more of these mental health issues, it may be beneficial to talk to a doctor about keto to see if it’s something worth trying.

 

What are the other benefits of a ketogenic diet?

 

Ketogenic diets offer other benefits, including;

 

1. Diabetes management

 

Consuming the keto diet reduces the need for insulin, leading to weight loss and better diabetes control.

Studies have shown that people with type 2-diabetes who follow a keto diet are at a lower risk of developing complications in their eyes, kidneys, and nerves, and they can even improve their blood sugar levels when compared to people who do not follow the diet.

 

2. Heart health and metabolic syndrome management

 

Ketogenic diets are known to effectively lower bad cholesterol levels, improve markers of heart disease such as high blood pressure, and reduce inflammation.

The improved cardiovascular risk factors are also great news for people suffering from metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks.

 

3. Improved cognitive function

 

The fact that ketones are being used by the brain cells instead of glucose means more energy is available for them to create an environment conducive to brain function. As a result, it has been proven that children and adults with epilepsy significantly improve their seizures after following the ketogenic diet.

Additionally, some studies suggest that individuals with Alzheimer’s may experience reduced symptoms while on a low-carbohydrate diet.

 

Final Word – Can keto diet cause anxiety

 

Can keto diet cause anxiety? The Keto diet has been shown to positively affect mental health. However, it should be noted that keto can also cause anxiety in some individuals. Some people might experience panic attacks, insomnia, or irritability due to the high-fat and low-carb diet.

For those who experience these side effects and want help with their mental health, talk to your doctor about introducing carbs into your ketogenic diet plan.

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References

 

https://www.ctsi.ucla.edu/education/files/view/training/docs/WadekarCS.pdf

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7765029/

 

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.578396/full

 

https://www.psychiatryredefined.org/the-ketogenic-diet-an-underutilized-tool-in-fighting-depression/