Patients frequently claim their weight problems are caused by cravings or emotional eating. The premise of The Serotonin Power Diet is that carbohydrate consumption increases serotonin production, which in turn increases satiety, decreases cravings, and improves mood. This premise has scant scientific support, based primarily on animal studies, and oversimplifies the complex physiological and psychological mechanisms underlying human homeosta-sis related to energy balance and glucose metabolism. The authors note the 15- to 35-pound weight gain associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and claim their diet "will make you lose the weight" (p. 32), citing one study from their facility. They provide no evidence of controlled trials but rely on participant testimonials to support their claim. Their 12-week program is designed to achieve 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week, less than the amount gained by the typical SSRI user.
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