In a message dated 9/30/2007 12:14:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
More questions then: Would the effects of carbs be anything like the supposed effects of tryptophan? And does eating a normal sized portion of turkey or drinking a glass of warm milk really do anything measurable within a human being? Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Annette - I am guessing that Judith Wurtman and her husband, Robert, would say yes. A few early studies are abstracted below. She has published several popular books on the subject (such as, Serotonin Solution). It seems that her work has become ever more popularized: _http://www.dietdetective.com/content/blogcategory/61/177/_ (http://www.dietdetective.com/content/blogcategory/61/177/) Hope this helps. =) _Adv Exp Med Biol._ (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Adv Exp Med Biol.');) 1996;398:35-41. _Links_ (javascript:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu9045545);) Brain Serotonin, Carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression. _Wurtman RJ_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Wurtman%20RJ"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPa nel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) , _Wurtman JJ_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Wurtman%20JJ"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PE ntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) . Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Clinical Research Center Massachussetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA. PMID: 9045545 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] _Obstet Gynecol._ (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Obstet Gynecol.');) 1995 Oct;86(4 Pt 1):520-8. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/utils/fref.fcgi?PrId=3051&itool=AbstractPlus-def&uid=7675373&db=pubmed&url=http://www.greenjourna l.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=7675373) _Links_ (javascript:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu7675373);) The effect of a carbohydrate-rich beverage on mood, appetite, and cognitive function in women with premenstrual syndrome. _Sayegh R_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Sayegh%20R"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel. Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) , _Schiff I_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Schiff%20I"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pu bmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) , _Wurtman J_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Wurtman%20J"[Author]&ito ol=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) , _Spiers P_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Spiers%20P"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.P ubmed_RVAbstractPlus) , _McDermott J_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="McDermott%20J"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntr ez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) , _Wurtman R_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Wurtman%20R"[Author ]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbst ractPlus) . Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vincent Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of a specially-formulated, carbohydrate-rich beverage (one known to increase the serum ratio of tryptophan to other large neutral amino acids) on the mood, cognitive, and appetitive disturbances of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS: Twenty-four women with confirmed PMS were enrolled in a double-blind, crossover study to test the efficacy of the specially-formulated beverage compared with two other isocaloric products on PMS symptoms. The study was conducted over three menstrual cycles preceded by a 1-month placebo run-in. Patients were tested at home or work using an interactive computer-telephone system. Standardized measurements of mood, cognitive performance, and food cravings were made before and 30, 90, and 180 minutes after consumption of active and placebo beverages during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: The experimental carbohydrate intervention significantly decreased self-reported depression, anger, confusion, and carbohydrate craving 90-180 minutes after intake. Memory word recognition was also improved significantly compared with scores obtained during the placebo run-in month (P < .05). The isocaloric placebo interventions had no significant effect on any of these measures. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the psychological and appetitive symptoms of PMS can be relieved after consuming a specially-formulated, carbohydrate-rich beverage known to increase serum tryptophan levels. _Drugs._ (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Drugs.');) 1990;39 Suppl 3:49-52. _Links_ (javascript:PopUpMenu2_Set(Menu2197075);) Carbohydrate craving. Relationship between carbohydrate intake and disorders of mood. _Wurtman JJ_ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=Search&Term="Wurtman%20JJ"[Author]&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPa nel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus) . Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge. Common to repetitive episodes of weight gain or failures to succeed on weight loss regimens is the excessive consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods in association with dysphoria. The brain neurotransmitter, serotonin, seems to be involved in the abnormal regulation of mood and food intake that underlies diet failures or weight gain in individuals who suffer from carbohydrate craving obesity (CCO), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). All 3 syndromes are characterized by episodic bouts of increased carbohydrate consumption and depressed mood. Studies with dietary treatment or drugs that enhance serotoninergic neurotransmission have found that increased serotonin neurotransmission is associated with normalised food intake and mood. These results suggest that periodic intervention with dietary or drug treatment that increases serotonin availability may help sustain weight or assist in weight loss. ****************************************************** Sandra M. Nagel, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Psychology Saginaw Valley State University 166 Brown Hall 7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 http://www.svsu.edu/~smnagel/research/ Office: (989) 964-4635 Fax: (989) 790-7656 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************************** ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com ---
