Will an Increase in Serotonin Help Arthritis?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate appetite, mood and sleep. A lack of serotonin can cause depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, migraine headaches, pain and even suicide, according to Dr. Nathan Wei, a rheumatologist and author of "The Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit."

Considerations

• If you are suffering from arthritis or fibromyalgia you may be helped by taking SSRIs, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, according to Arthritis.org. Examples of SSRIs include Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac. These medicines increase serotonin levels in the brain, which, in turn, reduce pain and fatigue. Sometimes SSRIs are prescribed along with a tricyclic anti-depressant. A new type of anti-depressant called mixed reuptake inhibitors (Effexor, Serzone) raise levels of norepinephrine, as well as serotonin and are believed to help reduce pain.

Facts

• The medical community has long known that those with arthritic disease have lower serotonin levels than those who are not afflicted. In a study done in 1968 by the Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, it was discovered that the serotonin content in platelets from those with active rheumatoid arthritis was significantly lower than those without the disease. The normal level was 20 to 38 percent. The RA patients' concentration was less than 20 percent.

What You Are Eating

• There are natural ways to raise your serotonin level, which can help eliminate your arthritis pain and lessen your chances of becoming depressed, according to Arthritis Today magazine. Foods that contain high omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, are believed to help serotonin pass through the brain's membranes and reduce depression. Discuss this with your physician, because, of course, there are always side effects, including becoming gassy. Those with a history of stroke or who are about to undergo surgery should avoid omega-3 fatty acids.

How Supplements May Help

• Taking a vitamin B supplement can raise serotonin levels. If you have arthritis and are suffering from inflammation of the joints, this can deplete your B vitamins.
  The herb St. John's wort appears to help alleviate depression and, in turn, relieve pain, although it should not be used if you are taking other medications, including heart medicines, oral contraceptives, hormones, cyclosporins or SSRIs.
  S-adenosylmethionine, or SAM-e, provides pain and depression relief for arthritic patients, according to Arthritis Today.
  The dietary supplement 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan converts into serotonin, so this supplement is frequently used to treat certain disorders, including arthritis. But Dr. Wei advises caution if you are already on an anti-depressant. Furthermore, this supplement is not considered safe for pregnant women or women who are planning to become pregnant. There are side effects, including loss of libido, drowsiness, constipation and flatulence, nausea and the potential to aggravate asthma and cause liver problems.