Weight loss and serotonin
Is there a link between
weight loss and serotonin? When you research the function of
serotonin, you find that it is a neurotransmitter that
regulates sleep, mood, and appetite.
Low levels of serotonin
have been linked to sugar and sweet cravings, light
sleeping, depression, anxiety, and even migraines or tension
headaches. Some suggest that the stress of modern day life
leads to low levels of serotonin.
Could it be that your
sugar and carb cravings are driven by low serotonin levels?
Some experts are suggesting the craving carbohydrates or
sugars is the body trying to self medicate itself for low
serotonin levels – when you eat the carbohydrates and sugars
they boost the tryptophan in the brain which in turn boosts
the serotonin levels. The result is that you feel good for a
while. Are you starting to see how the function of serotonin
can be linked to weight loss?
The weight loss and
serotonin link are nothing new to the nutritional
supplements world. Makers of nutritional supplements have
been marketing products for some time now that have been
reported to raise your serotonin levels. Sometimes you will
see these products marketed as "feel good" products and
sometimes you will see them linked with weight loss
products. The two main ingredients you are likely to come
across are St. John's Wort and 5HTP.
5HTP seems to be the
product that has gained the most popularity with the weight
loss crowd although you sometimes see St. John's Wort as an
ingredient in weight loss formulations.
5HTP is said to be an
amino acid that is the step between the Tryptophan and the
brain chemical Serotonin. There have been some studies done
on weight loss and 5 HTP. Please click here to read more
about 5HTP and serotonin and weight loss.
Wishing you the best of health,
Bill
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