Could a low fat low carb diet improve your mood?
ack! too thin
Grant D. Brinkworth, Ph.D., of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation-Food and Nutritional Sciences, Adelaide, Australia, and colleagues conducted a randomized clinical trial involving 106 overweight and obese participants who were an average age of 50. 55 of them followed a high fat low carb diet and 51 followed a low fat low carb diet.
After a year, the average weight loss for each group was the same about 30 pounds, but the interesting side note was that the mood of the low fat group was improved and that elevated mood was sustained. The high fat group initially had an improved mood, but it gradually dropped back down to the pre-trial point.
Now, am I endorsing a low fat diet? Not especially, but this is certainly something to think about. Obviously people with elevated moods are more likely to stick to what they are doing. It’s not a good habit for sure, but depressed people do tend to turn to food more, especially those prone to weight gain. (If you are going low fat, make sure you have your omega 6’s and 3’s in there.)
Here’s a link to the original article from Science Daily.
