Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I am 33 years old, have been living the paleo life for 6 months, best thing I ever did! Started of with heaps of energy, became VERY lean, my mood improved 100% (the main reason for becoming paleo) and all round felt great!

Slowly, I became depressed, anxious, very bad nightmares and energy that resembled chronic fatigue! I realised at the time, the only things I added to my diet were dried pitted dates (alot! Was eating them all day) and other fruits and copious amounts of cashews (sometimes more than 250 gms daily)and sultanas in my breakfast (small handful)

I think the added carbs and sugars reaked havok with my system, I eliminated the fruit and excess high carb nuts from my diet, and within 2 days i felt fantastic again, the only thing I can put it down too is lowering my carbs/sugar.

Anyone else experience this? I found it very strange and especially because adding the extra fruit and carbs I actually lost more weight but felt like I wasn't coping with life at all!

I'm glad I have my personality back and am loving my very low carb paleo life! X

edited Aug 6 at 0:51

Christopher Gagnon
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asked Aug 6 at 0:24

Adrian
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	I do much better low carb too. I fast for 12-16 hours then eat two bigmeals before 10pm – Gio Aug 6 at 1:10
	I added potatoes at lunch and started struggling to stay awake every day after lunch. I also have a friend who along with his wife both noticed enormous improvements in mood and depression after giving up only sugar and flour. – Diane Aug 6 at 16:39
	Ots so amazing isn't it! How simple foods can effect your energy levels so much, thanks for your comment x – Adrian Aug 6 at 23:14

PoP_Pup · Answer 1 · 2012-08-06 00:59:57Z UTC

Great that you are back on track again. It simply looks to me you overdid it with the nuts and the carbs. You seemed to have suddenly introduced high quantities to your diet. And you chose fructose as carb source. And with the nuts you amped up your Omega 6 intake.

If you are one of those people who are sensitive to fructose or suffer from fructose malabsorption depression and fatigue are common symptoms.

Might want to read this artilce: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3398692/Fruitless-ways-to-lift-depression.html

Jamie · Answer 2 · 2012-08-06 01:09:41Z UTC

Your body adjust to your carb intake. low carb high fat diets induce muscle insulin resistance, and lowers circulating insulin. Re-introducing carbs too quickly will often produce insulin spikes and blood sugar fluctuations. Google physiological insulin resistance if your curious. In future, if you want to up your carbs, do so gradually.

BTW cashews are LOADED with starch. As much as potatoes.

Added carbs, fruit = increased depression, anxiety? Looking for feedback!

2 Answers