Food and Your Moods Online Chat Transcript - How Food Affects and Your Moods

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

mermaid77: Kathleen, do people doing your program get off of their anti-depressants?

Dr. DesMaisons: Many do. I tell them to do the food steady for 6 months, see how they feel, and then talk with their doctors. There are some for whom the food is not enough, and I tell them to get medicine. We have a very skilled community to support people in finding out how the food fits, but I never encourage someone to drop the medications in favor of the food right off he bat - that would be NUTS!!!

David: Again, though, that is something you should definitely discuss with your medical doctor/psychiatrist.

Kathyb31: What is it with Diet Sodas? What's the addiction?

Dr. DesMaisons: hmm... This one is fascinating. Diet soda has an amino acid called phenyalanine. It is a precursor to dopamine, the neurotransmitter affected by cocaine and amphetamine. Dopamine makes us feel bright and able to take on the world. I think diet stuff activates that response, so we feel really good with it, but if we go off it we actually feel awful. In fact, I experienced a severe depression after flirting around with it. I had no idea what was happening since I don't generally suffer from depression. My first clue came when I had a dose and felt fine. Whew, what a surprise! I don't think people should drink it. It is nasty on the brain!

David: Here's an audience comment:

mermaid77: I see that as my goal. I'm gaining weight steadily, but I really want to do your program because it has worked so well for me in the past. I have regained 50lbs. from 104 lb. weight loss 4 years ago and am back on sugar and miserable.

RocknBead: I am on day 4 of the SARP, and knowing that step 6 is ahead of me, I want to eat lots of my favorite sugar foods NOW! Is that addiction?

Dr. DesMaisons: yep!!!! You are in the right place!!!

Kathyb31: I knew it wasn't the sugar... So it's a drug....WOW! I guess you just answered my question.

Laurie W.: Is exercise a part of your program?

Dr. DesMaisons: Yes, Laurie W, it sure is. Exercise raises beta endorphin as well as all sorts of other things. Exercise is a wonder drug!!!

David: Can eating right alone reduce weight and keep it off without the exercise?

Dr. DesMaisons: For some people it can, for others, no. If you are a middle aged menopausal woman who is tubby, yah gotta exercise!!

David: I also want to mention, we have hosted support groups on our site for many other mental health topics.

Laurie W.: What about using artificial sweeteners like aspartame, splenda, or natural sweeteners like stevia?

Dr. DesMaisons: The problem with artificial sweeteners is that they prime the brain. The taste of sweet, no mater where it comes from, makes cravings come, and of course splenda is chlorinated sugar. I wouldn't want to eat it anyway.

anothernewone: Do you believe this program could help solve some 'food allergies' and intolerances? There's hope?

Dr. DesMaisons: Well, I have seen it happen over and over. Many people try to fix the allergy without going to the root, so it is just harder and harder. When they do this program, the body heals and the allergies quiet, but the program is not billed as an allergy one, just so you don't have unrealistic expectations. It is about healing sugar addiction and sugar sensitivity.

David: I know it's getting late. Thank you, Dr. DesMaisons, for being our guest tonight and for sharing this information with us. And to those in the audience, thank you for coming and participating. I hope you found it helpful. We have a very large and active community here at HealthyPlace.com.

I invite everyone to stay and chat in any of the other rooms on the site. Also, if you found our site beneficial, I hope you'll pass our URL around to your friends, mail list buddies, and others. http://www.healthyplace.com

Thank you, again, Dr. DesMaisons.

Dr. DesMaisons: Absolutely my pleasure!

David: Good night, everyone. And I hope you have a pleasant weekend. Also, if you belong to a mail list or know others who might find our conferences helpful, I hope you'll pass the word around.

Disclaimer: That we are not recommending or endorsing any of the suggestions of our guest. In fact, we strongly encourage you to talk over any therapies, remedies or suggestions with your doctor BEFORE you implement them or make any changes in your treatment.

back to: Bipolar Conference Transcripts ~ Other Conferences Index ~ Bipolar Home