Whey Protein Isolate Powder giving me Anxiety/Depression??

[Jigsaw-Man]

I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression by my doctor back in 1997 and for a year I suffered from general Anxiety and Anxiety attacks. After about a year of meds I just kinda stopped taking it and I felt great for 10 years. Well last August (2007) all the anxiety and anxiety attacks came back suddenly about 3 months after I got married.

I suffered with it for about 9 months when I finally got to the doctor and he put me on 50 mg of Zoloft per day. I began lifting weights at the same time and between the Zoloft and weight training, my Anxiety/Depression all but disappeared.

I started getting really into lifting and am now taking it very seriously so I bought some GNC Wheybolic Extreme 60 which is 20g of protein per scoop. It says your supposed to take 3 scoops at a time but I only take 1 in the morning, and one at night. Ever since I started taking it my Anxiety/Depression has returned, when I stop taking it for a few days it goes away.

I have been experimenting with this theory that they whey protein is causing my Anxiety/Depression symptoms to come back. I have tried other Whey proteins and I still have the anxiety/depression symptoms about 24 hours after I take a few scoops.

Have you guys ever heard of this or ever had symptoms similiar?

[oxs22]

I honestly, 100% believe that whey protein does NOT affect your moods in any way, shape, or form. You may want to consult with your doctor about a higher dose/new medications. There are plenty of outside factors that can influence moods, maybe even elevated test from working out, but whey is just food.

[Jigsaw-Man]

Well I was reading up on the 20 different amino acids in Whey powders and one of the amino's called Tryptophan actually increases your seratonin lvls which I would think we actually increase your mood.

If I find I cannot take Whey Protein Powders anymore would peanuts be a good alternative to protein during the day when I'm at work?

Right now I also eat 1 protein bar in the morning and 1 at night, but those don't seem to effect me negatively, just the whey powder.

[paint2100]

for someone your size i don't think 50mg of zoloft will have that much affect

[Jigsaw-Man]

Originally Posted by paint2100

for someone your size i don't think 50mg of zoloft will have that much affect

Actually when I'm not drinking whey shakes it helps out alot, or it could be the fact that I was very inactive before, and I'm lifting or working out 5 times a week now. I started taking Zoloft the same time I started lifting so I can't tell which one helped, maybe both, either way as long as I'm not drinking those whey shakes reality seems very balanced and normal for me.

[oxs22]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

Well I was reading up on the 20 different amino acids in Whey powders and one of the amino's called Tryptophan actually increases your seratonin lvls which I would think we actually increase your mood.

If I find I cannot take Whey Protein Powders anymore would peanuts be a good alternative to protein during the day when I'm at work?

Right now I also eat 1 protein bar in the morning and 1 at night, but those don't seem to effect me negatively, just the whey powder.

With peanuts, its important to watch your fat intake, even though they are healthy fats, they are still fats. I'm sorry I don't have a recommendation for a replacement, maybe try the Nutrition section?

[Jigsaw-Man]

Well actually now that I think about it, the only Whey protein's I've tried have been GNC products, maybe if I were to switch to ON Gold Standard or a different similiar high reputable protein I may find better results. I don't seem to get the anxiety/depression when eating protein bars.

[v4lu3s]

most bars are largely soy protein. i would honestly speak with your doctor and find out if free form amino acids will cause problems, and also ask him about what foods would cause problems.

[oxs22]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

Well actually now that I think about it, the only Whey protein's I've tried have been GNC products, maybe if I were to switch to ON Gold Standard or a different similiar high reputable protein I may find better results. I don't seem to get the anxiety/depression when eating protein bars.

ON makes GNC protein, try to go in a different direction if you think this is what is giving you the problem.

[RADIRON]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

Well I was reading up on the 20 different amino acids in Whey powders and one of the amino's called Tryptophan actually increases your seratonin lvls which I would think we actually increase your mood.

If I find I cannot take Whey Protein Powders anymore would peanuts be a good alternative to protein during the day when I'm at work?

Right now I also eat 1 protein bar in the morning and 1 at night, but those don't seem to effect me negatively, just the whey powder.

tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino. it's in virtually ANYTHING with protein. if consumin small amounts of trytophan along with the other aminos, made you depressed, you'd be depressed whenever you consumed ANY protein.

maybe you're just depressed from life's stresses.

[psych]

Originally Posted by RADIRON

tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino. it's in virtually ANYTHING with protein. if consumin small amounts of trytophan along with the other aminos, made you depressed, you'd be depressed whenever you consumed ANY protein.

i agree with the above
i'm 100% sure that protein isnt causing you that problem

[MT1979]

Tryptophan is the **** in turkey that makes you tired.

[Riskity]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression by my doctor back in 1997 and for a year I suffered from general Anxiety and Anxiety attacks. After about a year of meds I just kinda stopped taking it and I felt great for 10 years. Well last August (2007) all the anxiety and anxiety attacks came back suddenly about 3 months after I got married.

I suffered with it for about 9 months when I finally got to the doctor and he put me on 50 mg of Zoloft per day. I began lifting weights at the same time and between the Zoloft and weight training, my Anxiety/Depression all but disappeared.

I started getting really into lifting and am now taking it very seriously so I bought some GNC Wheybolic Extreme 60 which is 20g of protein per scoop. It says your supposed to take 3 scoops at a time but I only take 1 in the morning, and one at night. Ever since I started taking it my Anxiety/Depression has returned, when I stop taking it for a few days it goes away.

I have been experimenting with this theory that they whey protein is causing my Anxiety/Depression symptoms to come back. I have tried other Whey proteins and I still have the anxiety/depression symptoms about 24 hours after I take a few scoops.

Have you guys ever heard of this or ever had symptoms similiar?

It's placebo effect...you are expecting it to make you anxious/depressed, and therefore your mind makes it so. There's nothing in whey protein that isn't in milk or cheese or ice cream.

[Jigsaw-Man]

Originally Posted by Riskity

It's placebo effect...you are expecting it to make you anxious/depressed, and therefore your mind makes it so. There's nothing in whey protein that isn't in milk or cheese or ice cream.

Its true that I am VERY paranoid about putting anything in my body that isn't natural food, Hell I'm scared to take tylenol lol. You might be right about the placebo effect, I'm a bit of a hypocondriate too.

Well I'll go ahead and drink 1 shake every morning for the next week and see if it continues or not. Over time I will probably forget that I'm even taking it so we'll see if I'm still experiencing it.

[otrebmu]

no caffeine or other stimulants? in anything you've been taking? other supplements besides the protein perhaps

[Jigsaw-Man]

Originally Posted by otrebmu

no caffeine or other stimulants? in anything you've been taking? other supplements besides the protein perhaps

No just my protein bars and whey protein shakes thats it. I stopped drinking anything with caffeine in it last August when the anxiety started back up, including Coke, Mt. Dew, Pepsi, Coffee, etc.....

Today I don't drink pop what so ever anymore, just water and skim milk for me.

[beez721]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

Its true that I am VERY paranoid about putting anything in my body that isn't natural food, Hell I'm scared to take tylenol lol. You might be right about the placebo effect, I'm a bit of a hypocondriate too.

Well I'll go ahead and drink 1 shake every morning for the next week and see if it continues or not. Over time I will probably forget that I'm even taking it so we'll see if I'm still experiencing it.

its definitely mental. there's nothing at all in whey protein that has any relation to anxiety. Im also prone to anxiety but have no problems with whey,,,but if I thought it may cause me anxiety I likely would develop it. I bought a bottle of ragnarok some time ago and developed intense anxiety by the 3rd day. not sure if it was from that but I stopped taking it and it didnt go away until like 4 weeks later. sucks I wasted nearly $40 and it really improved my workouts. its still sitting on my desk and Im so tempted to try it again,,,but fear the dreaded anxiety will return. its amazing how the mind can really throw you

[Jigsaw-Man]

Originally Posted by beez721

its definitely mental. there's nothing at all in whey protein that has any relation to anxiety. Im also prone to anxiety but have no problems with whey,,,but if I thought it may cause me anxiety I likely would develop it. I bought a bottle of ragnarok some time ago and developed intense anxiety by the 3rd day. not sure if it was from that but I stopped taking it and it didnt go away until like 4 weeks later. sucks I wasted nearly $40 and it really improved my workouts. its still sitting on my desk and Im so tempted to try it again,,,but fear the dreaded anxiety will return. its amazing how the mind can really throw you

I totally hear ya man, I bought GNC's 100% Whey product, bought 2 tubs of it for $40 or so, and by the end of the first week my Anxiety was nearly in full swing again. I ended up taking it all back and got a credit from them.

Its frustrating and it may all be in my head, but it sure feels real when I'm going through it.

[tonentrim]

Bro, if you read around in the forums, there is evidence to suggest that whey protein can also cause heart palpitations/flutters which part and parcel of anxiety disorders!

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression by my doctor back in 1997 and for a year I suffered from general Anxiety and Anxiety attacks. After about a year of meds I just kinda stopped taking it and I felt great for 10 years. Well last August (2007) all the anxiety and anxiety attacks came back suddenly about 3 months after I got married.

I suffered with it for about 9 months when I finally got to the doctor and he put me on 50 mg of Zoloft per day. I began lifting weights at the same time and between the Zoloft and weight training, my Anxiety/Depression all but disappeared.

I started getting really into lifting and am now taking it very seriously so I bought some GNC Wheybolic Extreme 60 which is 20g of protein per scoop. It says your supposed to take 3 scoops at a time but I only take 1 in the morning, and one at night. Ever since I started taking it my Anxiety/Depression has returned, when I stop taking it for a few days it goes away.

I have been experimenting with this theory that they whey protein is causing my Anxiety/Depression symptoms to come back. I have tried other Whey proteins and I still have the anxiety/depression symptoms about 24 hours after I take a few scoops.

Have you guys ever heard of this or ever had symptoms similiar?

[notoriousqq]

i'm thinking more along the lines with the guy that said placebo effect. if you have had issues with anxiety in the past and have now conditioned yourself to expect anxiety after taking whey protein, well, guess what is going to happen after you take whey protein. kind of like pavlov's dogs...

[etowns]

What are you mixing it with?

[dmbphan041]

Originally Posted by troup

Tryptophan is the **** in turkey that makes you tired.

win.

[PatProject]

So you have had pervious bouts of anxiety , anxiety just doesn't go away, it's with you for a lifetime. Part of it is worrying about stupid things like whey protein is causing it.

[maupassant]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

Its true that I am VERY paranoid about putting anything in my body that isn't natural food, Hell I'm scared to take tylenol lol. You might be right about the placebo effect, I'm a bit of a hypocondriate too.

whey is natural. zoloft is not. You should research what those anti-depressants do to your brain. And then find alternatives to getting on big pharma drugs because those are the things that are really going to mess you up.

[Rodzilla]

could be added BCAAs in that particular whey inhibiting tryptohpan and altering dopamine levels?

[Ericisfly]

its all in your head. just relax

[MiLaNo_Domina]

Originally Posted by Jigsaw-Man

I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression by my doctor back in 1997 and for a year I suffered from general Anxiety and Anxiety attacks. After about a year of meds I just kinda stopped taking it and I felt great for 10 years. Well last August (2007) all the anxiety and anxiety attacks came back suddenly about 3 months after I got married.

I suffered with it for about 9 months when I finally got to the doctor and he put me on 50 mg of Zoloft per day. I began lifting weights at the same time and between the Zoloft and weight training, my Anxiety/Depression all but disappeared.

I started getting really into lifting and am now taking it very seriously so I bought some GNC Wheybolic Extreme 60 which is 20g of protein per scoop. It says your supposed to take 3 scoops at a time but I only take 1 in the morning, and one at night. Ever since I started taking it my Anxiety/Depression has returned, when I stop taking it for a few days it goes away.

I have been experimenting with this theory that they whey protein is causing my Anxiety/Depression symptoms to come back. I have tried other Whey proteins and I still have the anxiety/depression symptoms about 24 hours after I take a few scoops.

Have you guys ever heard of this or ever had symptoms similiar?

It's not the protein but the aspartame!!!

Stay away from that **** man

[maupassant]

Originally Posted by MiLaNo_Domina

It's not the protein but the aspartame!!!

Stay away from that **** man

gnc wheybolic 60 doesnt have aspartame according to the label....



.....but yes aspartame is something that needs to be avoided at all cost.

[bikes4u]

If you had anxiety/depression before your chances of getting it again are very high.

Whey protein has nothin to do with it.

You need to find a good Shrink that will take the time to listen to you and work with you with anxiety meds. The best thing I found for my anxiety was Paxil but my labido went to ****. If Zoloft doesn't work for you you may have to find something that does. I recommend going to a anxiety forum on the net. Too many factors in what cures/causes anxiety to list it here. These guys are not experts in anxiety and it is/can be a serious crippling health problem.

[prhiannon]

Whey protein can DEFINITELY cause anxiety in glutamate-sensitive individuals. Also insomnia, depression, heart palpitations, and other unpleasant symptoms. Not everyone has this sensitivity, so people can be very cruel about it, assuming you are imagining things. (I find people who believe that anything they have never experienced can't be real to be not only insensitive and lacking in imagination, but also as a rule not terribly bright.)

I found your post about this when I was doing a search on the subject of whey protein and anxiety and I joined the forum just because I saw the uninformed responses you were getting.

There's a ton of unbound, free glutamic acid (glutamate=glutamic acid) in most whey protein products. I believe the only kind of whey protein that doesn't produce denatured, free glutamic acid is the microfiltered kind, which is very expensive.

Free glutamic acid is the "glutamate" in monosodium glutamate (MSG). It's the brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter and when high concentrations of it are in the bloodstream they are absorbed through the hypothalamus (as well as many other ways). Do a search on "hypothalamus anxiety."

Check this out: http://www.routes-to-self-improvemen...ymptomsMSG.htm

Also, don't believe most of what you read about MSG and how "safe" it is--most of that is sponsored by MSG producers and the processed food industry. For real information check out the writings of Dr. Russell Blaylock, neuroscientist.

I'd recommend using natural protein sources--things that are in their naturally occurring form like meat and eggs. Even cheeses can be iffy (stay away from Parmesan!). I get anxiety reactions to anything with soy too, especially soy sauce or soy powders. Our bodies are designed to digest and process natural glutamate that's found in natural whole protein foods, but in anything that's been processed at all, the proteins are broken down (denatured) and there's free glutamate present, and that's the stuff that hits the hypothalamus.

By the way, MSG (just a salt of glutamate) has been linked with obesity over and over in the scientific literature. If you're trying to keep the weight down, protein powders are probably not such a great way to go.

Please ignore the unkind and ignorant responses you got to your post. Good luck and my very best wishes.

--PRG