Fatigue
A low-sugar diet may cause fatigue and agitation because the body adjusts to the abrupt change in the supply of dopamine, which sugar provides. The lack of dopamine and sugar in the system, together with the energy used by the body to adjust to these changes, contribute to the sensation of fatigue.
Moreover, sugar withdrawal also induces other symptoms, such as depression and sleep disruptions, which can all lead to fatigue. Depression is common in patients experiencing sugar withdrawal due to the fluctuations of certain neurotransmitters. Depressive symptoms may include lethargy, lack of motivation and drive, and fatigue. Also, low intestinal serotonin production may contribute to sleep disturbances in depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.
On the other hand, wakefulness is accompanied by an increase in central nervous system metabolism and extracellular adenosine concentration. Adenosine levels are inversely linked with the subjective sensation of fatigue and are eliminated together with other toxins during sleep. These receptors are up-regulated in response to sleep loss. In addition, inadequate sleep, extended alertness, and being up during a circadian period when the brain is trained to sleep are the most common physiological causes of fatigue. Lastly, the severity of fatigue depends on the consistency in implementing the sugar detox.
