Brain support

• Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates moods and feelings of well-being
• With serotonin affecting the overall mood, other aspects which stem from a less than happy feelings due to serotonin deficiencies are also involved
• Generally, overweight people prove to have a well below normal serotonin level
• Besides the prescription drugs available to enhance serotonin deficiency, there are also natural supplements which have a mood boosting effect as well
• There is evidence confirming that 5-hydroxytryptophan will reduce depression. There has been decades of studies to prove this theory

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates moods and feelings of wellbeing. Low levels of serotonin are strongly relative to disorders like depression and anxiety, insomnia, food disorders, fibromyalgia, obsessive compulsive disorders, alcoholism, and more. Our bodies produce natural serotonin while digesting foods which are healthy and contain the amino acid L-Tryptophan. Serotonin deficiencies may be caused by a chemical imbalance. This may possibly be caused by poor eating habits.

Serotonin is known to be a critical stress hormone. It influences body temperature, blood pressure, clotting of blood, immunities, pain endurance, sleep, digestion, and circadian body rhythms. There are medical concerns that serotonin deficiency will increase the risk of behavioral problems such as aggression, depression, suicide, drug use, and hypersexual behaviors.

With serotonin affecting the overall mood, other aspects which stem from a less than happy feeling due to serotonin deficiencies are also involved. Sleep disturbances are prevalent among people suffering from depression. Increasing serotonin levels will rectify such insomniatic disorders.

Emotional eating is also related to depression and lack of serotonin levels. Binge eating and carbohydrate cravings will lead to undesired weight gain. Generally, overweight people prove to have a well below normal serotonin level. In certain clinical trials, elevating brain serotonin levels reduces calorie consumption in the obese with no apparent effort to do so. Replenishing serotonin levels normalizes eating behaviors by reducing carbohydrates and fats with the reduction of body weight as a result.

It is implied that serotonin is a key neurotransmitter to migraine headaches. Studies have proved that replenishing serotonin levels will relieve migraines and reduce the need for pain medications. The serotonin has the ability to relax the muscles and control the dilation of blood vessels.

Serotonin will calm the nervous system which will relieve tension and anxiety as a result. The stiffness, sleep disturbance, irritable bowel problems, and menstrual disorders which are associated with fibromyalgia will benefit from an enhancement of serotonin levels.

Depression and anxiety are strongly associated with asthmatic sufferers. There is a decrease in pulmonary control resulting in emergency room and doctor visits. Normal activities are sabotaged because of consistent breathing problems. Children with asthma are especially prone to depression due to the fact that they are purposely prevented from normal activities because of their condition.

Serotonin is abundantly found in the digestive system as well as the brain. When proper foods are digested, the body will produce natural serotonin. There are several drugs available to treat depression caused by a chemical imbalance and serotonin deficiency. SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are pills prescribed to increase the brain’s serotonin levels by increasing the length that is stays in the brain. Unfortunately, these prescribed medications come with unwelcomed side effects such as nausea, irritability sexual dysfunction, and more.

Besides the prescription drugs available to enhance serotonin deficiency, there are also natural supplements which have a mood boosting effect as well. 5-HTP, or 5- hydroxytryptophan, is known as the natural antidepressant. There is evidence confirming that 5-hydroxytryptophan will reduce depression. There has been decades of studies to prove this theory. Particular studies compared patients taking fluvoxamine, an SSRI, to those taking 5-HTP, a natural supplement. The prescribed medication and the supplement were equally effective in relieving depression. However, the 5-HTP was far more tolerant and safe over the fluvoxamine since it had fewer side effects. If there were any adverse reaction, they were substantially less severe than the effects of the SSRI.

Tags: 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin deficiency, serotonin level

Posted on Monday, April 20th, 2009 at 8:35 am | Brain support