That would be another reason...BG swings are yet another.

I don't know if this can be called a "discovery", though.  I refer you
to the book "Potatos, Not Prozac" where this phenomenon is discussed.
The basic mechanism related there works like this:

======================================================================

The bloodstream normally contains a mixture of amino acids.  Among
these is tryptophan.  They all use the same gateway to cross the
blood/brain barrier and reach the brain.  Tryptophan is used to create
serotonin.

When there is a release of insulin, it not only forces blood sugar
into cells, it also forces amino acids into cells - EXCEPT tryptophan.
As a consequence, a release of insulin means much less competition for
the tryptophan at those gateways to the brain at the blood/brain
barrier.  Without the competition from the other amino acids, many
more molecules of typtophan reach the brain and become available for
the making of serotonin.

Carbs eaten by themselves will cause a release of insulin. Therefore,
the authors recomended eating a small baked potato (40-60g carbs as I
recall) to cause the insulin release.  Eating protein and fat along
with the carbs will slow down the digestion of the carbs and won't
give as large an insulin release.

========================================================================

Naturally, those familiar with the Atkins book recognize a problem
with this approach.  The Atkins book claims that many of us have a
problem - that we are releasing TOO MUCH INSULIN, in turn causing
blood sugar to drop too quickly, leading to hunger and overeating.

There is also the matter of insulin resistance to be taken into
account.  I know that insulin resistance means that the cells have
problems taking up blood sugar in response to insulin - but does it
also mean that they have problems taking up the amino acids?  I would
=guess= that these require different gateways into the cells, but I
don't know.  =IF= standard insulin resistance only affects the passage
of blood sugar into the cells and doesn't affect passage of amino
acids into cells, the constant high levels of insulin in many people
on the ASDLC newsgroup would mean the brain is getting PLENTY of
tryptophan.  (Could this explains the "fat and jolly" stereotype?)

While it is good to be aware of various approaches, we need to keep in
mind that there are many, MANY ways our bodies may respond to various
diets, therapies, medications and so on.  There is no single approach
that is best for everyone.  Some people have their hunger reduced
dramatically with lowcarb.  Others do not.  Some lose weight quickly,
others do not.  Some digest sugar alcohols as if they were sugar,
others do not.  Some people benefit from certain supplements, others
do not.

"Your body, your science project" is a good summary.  If people want
to try something and see how their body reacts, that's great.  But it
is well to keep in mind that there is no single plan that works best
for everyone.

I saw this on CNN and their doctor - Dr Gupta said he felt the weight loss
would more then make up for the lower seratonin levels.

Its my opinion that any diet can at times make you crabby. "Ain't no biggie"
and it sure isn't going to stop me.

This was one of my excuses for not starting to low carb- I thought I would
get bitchy, like when I was on Scarsdale 20 years ago. That diet had you low
carb every other week I think- though those fruit salads were full of carbs.
I haven't had a bad day low carbing yet that I can blame on food.

As a matter of fact, I've been home today and didn't have my breakfast till
noon ( know I shouldn't skip meals). I had a ton of energy today and
actually was cleaning house, in between lots of postings.  I was very aware
that I wasn't having the shakes from not eating like I would if I was on my
old high carb lifestyle

feel better for a while, just as drugs do, but in the long run, you feel
worse, just like the person who uses drugs to make them feel better.

I agree. Or at least not terribly accurate.

Do you have any idea how often you start off sentences with  "Anyone
who..." ;-)