Low-Carb Diet Causes Memory Loss

Dieters who eliminate carbohydrates from their diet may lose some extra pounds, but it could leave them fuzzy headed and forgetful, says a new study.

One week after starting a weight loss diet that severely restricted carbohydrates, participants in the Tufts University study performed significantly worse on memory tests than participants who followed a low calorie, high-carbohydrate diet.
Their study on women aged 22 to 55 showed that those on a low carbohydrate meals suffered impaired memory function after just one week, reports the Telegraph.

Psychology professor Holly Taylor, of Tufts University, Massachusetts, said that when carbohydrates were re-introduced the women's mental function returned to normal.

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Comments

[willclower]

For the low carb dieters who swear that they have not lost their memory capacity, they're correct because the degree of impairment demonstrated by the Tufts researchers was obtained under very particular conditions.

So these dieters may not have noticed the impairment, because it was interspersed within the hum and bustle of their daily life. That, however, doesn't mean there is not an impact of this dietary approach.

Again, any cognitive effects resulting in a low carb diet may be there, but is likely to be small. In fact, there's a study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that investigated the same thing as this current article. Here is the summary: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/86/3/580

Read the abstract to get your own thoughts, but basically my take-home message is that the ability to process information is better in the standard low fat diet than in those on the low carb diet.

[andj]

This is rubbish and the article is about a low carb diet for one week. It is not about low carb and memory loss.

Initially with a low carb diet you will experience unpleasant symptoms - that is because your body is adjusting. Also when you release toxins and carbohydrates you may not initially feel well.

The primary source of feul is not glucose - its just what we have been taught.

You cant conclude that low carb it means memory loss.

[stayinsouth1981]

OH, give us a break. Twelve years ago, I used Atkins to lose 30#s. I was not having memory issues. Turning 45.. now I have REAL memory issues.

BTW, I had incredible cholesterol numbers while i stuck to the program.

[MightyMeno]

Good grief. I started Atkins last August and so far have lost 35 lbs. (12 more to go), greatly improved my lipid profile, saw an increase in energy and a decease in arthritis pain ... and my memory is still intact, thank you.

[Philippa]

Not surprising. The brain's primary source of fuel is glucose - the source of which is carbohydrates. Carbohydrates get a bad rap because they are mostly equated with table sugar and its high glycemic effect. Carbohydrates do not only refer to simple sugars. Dietary fiber also fall into the category.

[MNJim]

That seems very odd to me since the brain tends to want fat to burn rather than carbs, in order to operate effectively. That would suggest a low carb diet would be just the ticket, according to the science.

[suec03]

What links can you provide that the brain burns fat? I always understood the brain used glucose.

[wandering girl]

memory loss, indeed - after a low-carb meal, I often forget I have eaten.

[d00derman]

Where did I put my steak?

[Swerinjer2]

YET EVEN MORE ANTI-ATKINS PROPAGANDA.

Brought to you by the food corporations of america-keeping you hooked on carbs with long shelf lives.

Google Weston A Price

[suec03]

What about lightly processed carbs such as Kashi cereals, multigrain hot cereals, or whole wheat bread?

[Swerinjer2]

dead food. the only good grains are fresh unprocessed sprouted grain breads that are lightly heated.

[MarkVA71]

I agree and I don't see any mention of vitamin supplements.

[missviv]

It is not propaganda, it is common sense. Your brain uses 18% of all the energy you consume - and almost all that needs to come from a carbohydrate. Human beings require a multitude of energy sources and if you're cutting out a crucial energy source that your brain requires - then your brain doesn't work as it should. Simple, friend, simple.