Are there Foods that Increase Serotonin? Tryptophan is the Key.

Serotonin is synthesized from an essential amino acid called tryptophan. Low Serotonin levels are linked to most forms of depression and anxiety as well as eating disorders and sleep disorders.

It seems if tryptophan can make serotonin, and tryptophan comes from food, we should be able to solve our depression and anxiety by eating foods that increase serotonin, and thus regulate our mood.

Antidepressants

One of the reasons it would be great to find foods that increase serotonin is that many people don't like antidepressants. Antidepressants are among three of the best treatments for depression and anxiety, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, and self care techniques such as exercise, mindfulness and meditation. In some cases of severe clinical depression, antidepressants are really the best option we have.

One common class of antidepressants, SSRI’s( selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters), work by targeting serotonin. SSRI’S include those you are probably most familiar with : Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. SSRIs act by inhibiting the re uptake of serotonin after being released in synapses. This serves to increase levels of serotonin. SSRI's are commonly prescribed by doctors to help my clients with their depression and anxiety. Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, used with less frequency today, have also been found to( among other things) increase the levels of serotonin.

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Diet or Drugs?

Many adult women who come to see me in my practice are concerned about taking antidepressants. Primarily because there are side effects that are immediate, but also because they worry about possible unknown long term side effects. Sometimes they just don’t want to take prescription drugs. They want to know if there are vitamins, minerals or changes in their diets that can help them with their depression and anxiety. They would like to know if there are foods that increase serotonin.

What We Know About Tryptophan

Amino acids such as tryptophan are found in protein. Does this mean we should we eat large quantities of protein to influence the levels of serotonin in our brain? No more antidepressants? Turns out it doesn’t work that way. Tryptophan found in protein competes with the other amino acids to get across the blood brain barrier and always loses out to them. So protein is not one of the foods that increase serotonin.

So what are the foods that increase serotonin, and why can we use them to help us with depression and anxiety? Well you probably do. Ever heard of a carb craving? My children who suffer from depression or mood disorders often hoard, gorge, and binge on carbs and sugar. Guess what? So do adults! It has been theorized that it could be that’s our body’s natural way of telling us we need more serotonin. When carbs are eaten in large quantities insulin is secreted. The insulin somehow clears the other amino acids out that are competing with the tryptophan. The tryptophan is absorbed and that seems to provide an instant boost in serotonin.

But That Wont Work, Will it?!!

No. Unfortunately this is not an effective strategy, anyone who has binged on carbs knows that the fix is temporary and the price is steep. Weight gain, energy fluctuations and unhealthy eating cycles that can even result in carb addiction.

I'm all for not trusting western medicine and pharmaceutical companies. Unfortunately there just isn't a clear cut way to manipulate your serotonin levels through your diet.What About Supplements?

Tryptophan supplements were banned by the FDA in 1989 after complications were found in people who were taking them. An alternative is 5 HTP ..

If you are interested in more information about diet and serotonin, Dr Judith Wurtman has written extensively about it and has developed what she calls "The Serotonin Diet". She is a Research Scientist at MIT, and the founder and director of Harvard University's TRIAD Weight Management Center. Her website can be found here:http://www.serotoninpowerdiet.com

Still have questions??