Low Serotonin Effects on Mood, Weight and Digestion

Serotonin is one of the three primary neurotransmitters known for their capacity to elevate moods.

Along with dopamine and norepinephrine, serotonin is largely responsible for regulating functions like appetite, aggression, libido, happiness and general contentment to name a few.

When levels are running low, depression is likely, as well as carbohydrate cravings.

Understanding how serotonin is manufactured by the body, and the various important biological and psychological roles it plays, allows us to better understand the ways that low serotonin can affect our ability to digest foods, our energy levels, our moods and our ability to achieve and maintain healthy weight levels.

Serotonin Boosters

Mood Supplements

Mood

Sleep

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Increases Serotonin levels in the brain
• Enhances mood and alleviates stress
• Improves sleep and regulates appetite

Dosage:

Varies depending on supplement

Safety:

Varies depending on supplement

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Biological and Psychological Roles of Serotonin

There are an array of physical and mental roles that serotonin is involved with.

When levels of this neurotransmitter are deficient, our bodies and brains can experience a variety of performance issues.

Maintaining adequate levels of serotonin helps to ensure effective and consistent:

• Mood regulation;
• Ability to manage stress;
• Appetite control;
• Peristalsis efficiency;
• Sleep cycle regulation;
• Heart rate and breathing rate;
• Sexual libido strength;
• Body temperature control.

Symptoms of Low Serotonin

Low serotonin levels may result from a variety of causes. Some common causes include nutritional deficiencies, sedentary lifestyles, imbalanced blood sugar levels, chronic stress, infections, lacking sunlight and the use of tobacco and alcohol products.

When the body and brain become deficient in serotonin, various symptoms may develop including:

• Sleep disturbances;
• Possibly severe depression and negative thinking;
• Intolerance to pain;
• Anxiety;
• Decreased libido;
• Migraine and tension headaches;
• Appetite abnormalities.

How to Naturally Increase Low Serotonin

There are various techniques for increasing low serotonin. Of course, there are the pharmaceutical approaches involving multiple options for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

More than 40 million people in the United States alone are currently using SSRIs. While these drugs do yield some improvements in many cases, there are also a list of possible adverse side effects to consider before beginning usage.

Aside from asking your doctor about prescription medications to elevate serotonin levels, there are numerous natural approaches that are proving very effective. For instance, in several clinical studies, one by NYU Langone Medical Center, 5-HTP supplementation was shown to treat depression symptoms as well as or better than many commonly prescribed antidepressant medications.

5-HTP is generated by the breakdown of the dietary amino acid, L-tryptophan. It is used solely in our bodies for the synthesis of serotonin. Taking 5-HTP pills supplies the brain with the materials it needs to produce more serotonin.

Other methods for increasing low serotonin levels naturally include:

• Following a tryptophan-rich diet plan;
• Taking a multi-vitamin supplement with Vitamins B6, B12 and D;
• Getting daily physical exercise for at least 30 mins;
• Ensuring consistently adequate hydration;
• Learning new skills for coping with stress effectively;
• Absorbing natural sunlight.

Foods for Raising Serotonin Production

When you increase your intake of the foods that your body uses to manufacture serotonin, you significantly improve your capacity to synthesize it.

In general, foods that are high in protein are good sources of l-Tryptophan which the body needs to manufacture this brain chemical.

Additionally, the body requires high-grade carbohydrates, vitamin B6, vitamin D and tryptophan hydroxylase to support the production of serotonin.

The following food sources provide these nutrients:

• Turkey and other fowl;
• Lean cuts of beef and pork;
• Various dairy products;
• Green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens and more;
• Beans and legumes.

Roughly 90% of serotonin in the human body is found in the gastrointestinal tract. One of its primary functions is to accommodate healthy digestion and regulate appetite.

The foods that are ingested are the only possible sources for gaining natural l-tryptophan. L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning that it must be gained from dietary sources. It follows that a diet low in the nutrients necessary for synthesis will not yield adequate serotonin production.

The Benefits of Using Serotonin Boosters

Serotonin is one of the most important chemical compounds at work in the human body. It is responsible for various processes which are integral for survival and wellbeing.

When any of a number of possible factors act to cause low serotonin levels, serious symptoms, including suicidal tendencies, can develop. In order to elevate levels, individuals can choose the pharmaceutical route, or the natural route.

Because the statistics show that SSRIs, MAOIs and other antidepressant medications are only marginally successful, there are millions of people worldwide who are searching for natural ways to increase their low serotonin.

By adopting healthy lifestyle modifications like ensuring the proper food intake choices and implementing 5-HTP supplementation, serotonin levels are able to be effectively elevated in many cases.

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