What is Serotonin | What effects does serotonin have on your body | How can your serotonin levels be raised

Serotonin

Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter also referred to as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). It also has hormonal effects. Serotonin functions as a neurotransmitter, which means it transports signals between nerve cells in your body and central nervous system. Your body receives chemical instructions on how to operate. A molecule called serotonin delivers information between the brain's nerve cells and other parts of the body. Body processes like mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound repair, bone health, blood clotting, and sexual desire are all significantly influenced by serotonin. Too little or too much serotonin can have negative effects on one's physical and mental health.

Serotonin affects learning, memory, and happiness in addition to controlling body temperature, sleep, appetite, and sexual activity in your body. Serotonin deficiency is thought to contribute to restlessness, anxiety, sadness, and other illnesses. Your stomach contains the majority of the serotonin in your body (intestines). The cells that line your gastrointestinal system contain about 90% of your body's serotonin supply. It is dispersed into the bloodstream and taken up by platelets. Your brain only produces 10% of that.

Tryptophan, an important amino acid, is used to make serotonin. It cannot be produced by your body because it is an important amino acid. It must be acquired through the meals you consume.

What effects does serotonin have on your body?

Serotonin is involved in a wide range of bodily processes, including:

Serotonin is a brain chemical that controls mood. It is frequently referred to be your body's inborn "feel good" chemical. You feel more emotionally secure, happier, calmer, and more emotionally focused when serotonin levels are normal. Depression and low serotonin levels are related. Numerous drugs prescribed to treat anxiety, sadness, and other mood disorders frequently work to raise the brain's serotonin levels.

Digestion: The majority of the serotonin in your body is found in your GI tract, where it plays a function of safeguarding your gut and controlling bowel movements. Your gut can release more serotonin, which can hasten digestion and help your body get rid of unpleasant meals and harmful items. Additionally, serotonin helps you feel fuller after meals.

Nausea: When serotonin is delivered into your intestines more quickly than it can be absorbed, nausea is the result. Your brain receives the chemical signal, which you experience as nausea. Numerous medications used to lessen nausea and vomiting target particular serotonin receptors in the brain.

Sleep: Serotonin and the neurotransmitter dopamine both contribute to the overall quality of your sleep. In order to create serotonin, a hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle, your body also needs serotonin.

Wound Healing

Serotonin is produced by platelets in your blood to aid in the healing of wounds. Arterioles, the smallest blood veins, also narrow as a result of the condition, slowing blood flow and promoting the formation of clots. This step in the healing process of a wound is crucial.

Bone health: Your bone density may be influenced by your serotonin levels. Bone breaks (fractures) and osteoporosis can result from weak bones, which can be caused by high amounts of serotonin in the gut.

Sexual well-being: Dopamine and the neurotransmitter serotonin both contribute to your desire for sex.

How can your serotonin levels be raised?

Serotonin levels can be raised by:

• ·         Eating more meals that contain tryptophan
• ·         Increasing exposure to sunshine
• ·         Using particular vitamins.
• ·         Increasing your physical activity and reducing your stress.

Tryptophan, an amino acid that is used to make serotonin, can be found in a variety of foods. You can try eating foods high in tryptophan, such salmon, to raise your serotonin levels.

• Eggs.
• Cheese.
• Turkey.
• Tofu.
• Pineapples.

Cereals, seeds, and nuts.

Tryptophan-rich diets do not necessarily increase serotonin levels on their own. It's a difficult procedure. In order to produce insulin, which is required for amino acid absorption, your body needs carbohydrates. Even if serotonin does enter your bloodstream, it will have to outcompete other amino acids in order to reach your brain. Researchers are still looking into how consuming foods high in tryptophan may increase serotonin levels.

Supplements

Clinical investigations have shown that several supplements raise serotonin levels. The strongest evidence is seen for 5-HTP, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, St. John's wort, and some probiotic. Serotonin levels are also raised by a number of dietary and herbal supplements. Both physical and mental health depend on serotonin. Everything including mood and behavior to gut and heart health to blood vessel activity can be impacted by serotonin. Serotonin deficiency has been linked to stomach problems, migraines, and mental disorders. Discover substances that may help serotonin levels naturally as you read on:

Main Supplements

Before ingesting any supplements, be sure to see your doctor. In order to reduce the possibility of suffering negative interactions, be sure to inform them of any additional prescription or over-the-counter medication you could be taking, particularly vitamins and herbal supplements.

This is especially crucial if you are currently taking supplements or drugs (like antidepressants) that could raise serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome, a dangerous illness brought on by having far to much serotonin in the body, can be brought on by unfavorable drug interactions or improper dose.

When you and your physician decide that taking supplements is a wise move, be sure to only buy and use items produced by a reputable and trustworthy manufacturer.

Keep in mind that the FDA has not formally approved the use of dietary supplements for medical purposes. In general, supplements lack reliable clinical studies. Legal requirements may establish production standards for them, but they do not ensure their efficacy or safety.

Here are several supplements that, according to studies, may assist raise serotonin levels and support mood stability in light of all the above-mentioned crucial elements.

Dietary supplements: Probiotics, SAMe, and tryptophan are dietary supplements.

Supplements made from herbs: Examples of these include ginseng, nutmeg, Syrian rue, and St. John's wort.

S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM-e)

A naturally occurring substance called SAM-e is essential for several vital biological functions, including methylation and energy consumption. Additionally, it contributes to the chemical process the body employs to create serotonin.

5-HTP and L-Tryptophan

Serotonin is produced by the body from 5-HTP, which is created from L-tryptophan. So, in theory, raising the quantities of either of these "building blocks" (metabolic precursors) may raise serotonin levels all around.

Only a little amount of data suggests that supplementing with L-tryptophan may increase plasma serotonin and resolve some digestive, motor, or cognitive difficulties in persons who are low in it.

Probiotics

Probiotics influence the gut-brain axis and replenish the gut microbiota in the digestive system. One of the reasons gut bacteria are crucial is because they create a significant amount of the tryptophan needed to make serotonin. In certain research, less variety or fewer gut bacteria have been connected to neurological illnesses like Parkinson's disease.

St. John’s Wort

The popular dietary supplement St. John's Wort is made from the herb Hypericum perforatum. Despite its multiple applications, it is most frequently used as a mood or moderate depression supplement. However, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCIH) reports that the outcomes of studies on St. John's wort's effectiveness for depression are conflicting.