Serotonin Deficiency Syndrome
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Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Twenty amino acids are necessary for protein synthesis. Eleven can be synthesized by the human body and nine must be obtained from the diet. Tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids that is not produced by the body but rather must come strictly from the diet.
L-tryptophan, in large amounts, can be a natural sedative. It is found in large quantities in turkey meat, causing people to think this is the reason they are sleepy after a Thanksgiving feast.
Tryptophan converts to the chemical serotonin in the brain. So serotonin is made in the brain from the amino acid tryptophan. This conversion requires various nutrients including magnesium and B vitamins. When it comes to our moods and the way that we generally enjoy the pleasures of life, the most important chemical in our brain is serotonin.
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for our feelings of wellbeing. It is a remarkable brain messenger and adequate amounts of serotonin are required for:
Depleted serotonin levels is what has become known as the serotonin deficiency syndrome. The production of serotonin in the brain may be reduced by advancing age, unhappy life events and stress, lack of exercise, nutritional deficiencies, lack of exposure to sunshine, hormonal changes of menopause, genetic factors, etc.
The serotonin deficiency syndrome is an increasingly common disorder and is observable in a collection of emotional as well as behavioural problems, such as compulsive gambling.
Modern day antidepressant drugs exert their effect because they increase the levels of various chemicals in the brain.
Medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are available and for many sufferers they are remarkably effective, but they can have side effects such as headaches, nausea, digestive disturbances and others.
Dr Cabot’s book “Raw Juices Can Save Your Life” has juicing recipes which include various fruits and vegetables with healing properties to help improve moods, like the recipe below:
Ingredients
Method
For more information on depression, see Depression – Do You Understand It?
Dietary sources of tryptophan include; fish, poultry, chickpeas, bananas, turkey and other meats, soy products, cottage cheese, milk, brown rice and peanuts.
Nutritional supplements can have a powerful therapeutic effect. This is particularly so if the correct combination of specific nutrients and herbs are used synergistically together.
Some supplements do not work well with medication. If you are taking antidepressants you should check with your own doctor to see if there is any reason why you cannot take supplements.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
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