Low-carb diet impairs mental cognition

August 24, 2009

Jack Rutherford The Richmond Register Mon Aug 24, 2009, 09:00 AM EDT

Atkins and other low-carb dieters are likely to suffer decreased mental performance, according to a recent study at Tufts University in Boston. Scientists found that participants performed worse on mental tests after just a week on a low-carb diet.

One of the most popular low-carb diets is the Atkins Diet, which eliminates carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes and sugar but allows protein and fat. Some fruits and vegetables also are restricted. The Atkins Diet proposes that the body burns more calories through an elevated metabolic rate than normal diets. The recent study, however, suggests that there is a mental disadvantage to counterbalance whatever physical gains might be achieved.

Holly Taylor, lead researcher in the study, warned that such a diet can have a negative impact on memory and thinking.

“The study demonstrates that the food you eat can have an immediate impact on cognitive behavior. The popular low-carb and no-carb diets have the strongest potential for negative impact on thinking and cognition,” she said.

The study followed 19 women aged 22 to 25 who were on either a low-carb diet or a low-calorie balanced diet. After only one week the 10 women on the low-carb diet performed more poorly on mental tests than those on the conventional diet. The women were tested on their short- and long-term memory, visual attention and spatial memory, the part of the memory that stores information about a person’s environment. Those on the low-carb diet showed a gradual decrease in mental tasks compared to the low-calorie dieters. Reaction time also was slower and their visual memory was not as good.

“Although this study only tracked participants for three weeks, the data suggests that diets can affect more than just weight. The brain needs glucose for energy, and diets low in carbohydrates can be detrimental to learning, memory and thinking,” Taylor said.

The research, published in the journal Appetite, found there was no difference in the hunger levels of the women. Scientists believe that low-carb diets decrease the amount of glucose available to the brain and what is needed for nerve transmission.

Text Only

Lifestyles & Community

Is MSG (monosodium glutamate) harmful?
Monsodium gluatamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer often added to Chinese food, soups, processed meats and canned vegetables. The use of MSG remains controversial despite a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement that it is safe. Because of this, the FDA requires that whenever MSG is added, that it be listed on the label.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Common-sense job hunting
I spent a day with a high-powered and high-profile friend who mentioned that he has more than 700 people a year ask him to help get a new job.
He’s not in the employment business, but is super well connected.
Every now and then, he gets the right person to the right job.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
It’s a love thing
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” — Romans 8:35-39

February 4, 2012 1 Photo
Managing the calving season
Providing sound management during the calving season can mean more live calves.
Excessive losses can mean the difference between a year’s profit or loss for a beef producer.
It is important to have a short calving period to allow frequent observation and assistance if needed.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Spinach: It’s not just for Popeye anymore
A spinach-loving reader recently approached me to request a column on things to do with her favorite vegetable.
“Favorite vegetable?” You may ask, and rightly so.
When many of us were growing up …and we’re talking Baby Boomers here, the only spinach product known to us was the stuff that came in a can, and it was, in a word, horrible!

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Topping trees is a bad practice
Topping damages hundreds of trees each year in Kentucky.
Many people are unaware of the detrimental effects of this practice.
Topping involves the drastic removal or cutting back of large branches in mature trees leaving stubs.
Topping can make a tree hazardous and reduce its life.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Tips offered for better credit
Many people are aware that their credit score is important, but do not really understand what it is or how to build a strong credit score.

February 1, 2012 1 Photo
Josh Logan to perform in Kirksville
Hello everyone. Josh Logan will perform at Kirksville Community Center on Saturday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and will entertain you with some great music.

January 26, 2012 1 Photo
Church group to discuss ‘Bad Women of the Bible’
Tates Creek Baptist Church is having a special Coffee Talk Bible Study to discuss “The Bad Women of the Bible” on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. in the church, located on Boonesborough Road.

January 26, 2012 1 Photo
Preschool screenings and birthday surprises
Hi!
... and the wind blew and blew. Perhaps this is the windy season!
Where is the snow? Students are starting to do snow dances, hoping they can coax enough snow to fall so they can make a proper snowman.
(I'm sure they hope it will fall on a weekend so they won’t have to miss school! lol)

January 26, 2012 2 Photos
More Lifestyles & Community Headlines

Lifestyles & Community

Search Results

Low-carb diet impairs mental cognition

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map