Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that acts in the brain, establishing communication between nerve cells and can also be found in the digestive system and blood platelets. This molecule is produced from an amino acid called Tryptophan, obtained from food.
Serotonin works by regulating mood, sleep, appetite, heart rate, body temperature, sensitivity and cognitive functions and therefore, when in low concentration, can cause moodiness, sleep disturbances, anxiety or even depression.
- One way to increase serotonin concentration in the bloodstream is to eat foods rich in Tryptophan.
- Exercise regularly and.
- In more severe cases.
- Take medications.
- See some tips for increasing Serotonin.
Serotonin is very important for various bodily functions, so it is important that your levels are at healthy concentrations. The main functions of Serotonin are:
Serotonin is found in large amounts in the stomach and intestine, which helps control bowel movement and function.
Serotonin acts in the brain by regulating anxiety, increasing happiness and improving mood, so low levels of this molecule can cause anxiety and cause depression.
Serotonin production increases when the body needs to remove toxic substances from the gut, for example in case of diarrhea. This increase also stimulates a region of the brain that controls nausea.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that also stimulates regions of the brain that control sleep and wakefulness, and when it is in low concentration it can cause sleep disturbances.
Blood platelets release Serotonin to help heal wounds. Serotonin causes vasoconstriction, which facilitates blood clotting.
Serotonin plays a role in bone health and its imbalance can have a negative impact. Significantly high levels of Serotonin in the bones can weaken them, increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Serotonin is a substance related to libido and, as a result, changes in your levels can affect sexual desire.
Low concentration of Serotonin in the body can cause signs and symptoms, such as:
In addition, the person may also feel tired and lose patience with ease, which may indicate that the body needs more Serotonin in the blood.
Watch the video below about the foods you should eat to increase your Serotonin production:
Some tryptophan-rich foods, which serve to increase Serotonin production in the body, include:
These foods should be consumed daily, in small portions, several times a day. A good example of this is to have a banana smoothie with Brazil nuts for breakfast, eat a grilled chicken breast with tomato salad for lunch and have a glass of red wine after dinner. See other examples of foods that help increase Serotonin.
In addition, dietary supplements containing Tryptophan can also be used in the composition.
In the most severe cases, where a lack of Serotonin has a significant impact on a person’s life, causing depression or excessive anxiety, for example, it may be necessary to take medications prescribed by the doctor.