|  | Alternative Medicine | Homeopathy

Natural Ways to Raise Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that influences a host of brain functions, including appetite control, and the regulation of sleep, memory, learning ability, mood, behavior, body temperature and cardiovascular function. Deficiencies in serotonin can cause a variety of health issues, such as migraines, insomnia and depression. Many of the medications made to treat these conditions, including antidepressants, behave like serotonin in the brain. Instead of using a chemical substitute for serotonin, however, it is possible to increase the brain's natural production of serotonin through natural means.

  1. Rest and Exercise

    • Like most functions of the body, the brain's production of serotonin works at its best in a healthy, well-maintained system. Getting a proper night's rest on most nights, if not every night, and getting regular exercise can automatically increase the production of serotonin. Exercise does not have to be going to the gym or spending an hour on the treadmill. Taking a 30-minute nightly walk can do wonders for serotonin levels.

    Food

    • Since many foods contain low levels of tryptophan, and tryptophan can kickstart serotonin production in the brain, adding certain foods to a healthy diet can help increase the production of serotonin. There are two major groups of foods involved with serotonin production. Tryptophan-rich proteins will provide the tryptophan needed for producing serotonin; carbohydrates help the tryptophan go to work in the body by raising insulin levels. Insulin supports the brain in its use of tryptophan for serotonin production.

      To get the best results from the tryptophan-carb combination, you should consume tryptophan-containing proteins first followed by healthy carbohydrates. Eating the proteins about an hour before the carbohydrates will have the most beneficial effect on serotonin production.

      Tryptophan-inclusive proteins include poultry like turkey and chicken, pork, milk, white fish, legumes, cheese, soy and bananas. Good carbohydrates to aid in insulin production include oats, buckwheat, barley, sweet potatoes and squash. Avoid white flour and white sugars as much as possible. They offer little in nutritional value and can raise blood sugar levels too quickly, resulting in a subsequent sugar "crash."

    Supplements

    • If you are not getting enough serotonin through diet alone, which is usually the case with individuals experiencing depression or other conditions caused by low serotonin levels, there are some natural supplements that can help increase serotonin levels in the brain. These supplements include St. John's Wort, SAMe and 5-HTP.

Homeopathy - Related Articles