Serotonin & Metabolism

Serotonin is an important chemical in the body that regulates mood, metabolism and other bodily functions. Too little serotonin can have an effect on metabolism and lead to weight gain.

• Nutrition plays a role in serotonin levels.

Significance

• Approximately 22% of Americans are obese. Discovering factors that lead to obesity is necessary for the implementation of public health policies and treatment programs for curbing it.

Function

• Serotonin increases the rate of digestion by triggering muscle movements called peristaltic contractions in the intestinal tract. Additionally, low serotonin levels in the brain are associated with depression, which may lead to binge eating as a way of coping with depression.

Considerations

• Some foods that are high in tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, may be ineffective at increasing serotonin levels. Other proteins may compete with tryptophan with the result that serotonin levels are lowered.

Misconceptions

• SSRI medications increase serotonin levels in the brain but not in the gastrointestinal tract. This is why they have little effect on metabolism; in some cases they can even lead to weight gain.

Prevention/Solution

• Taking a vitamin B6 supplement or increasing your consumption of foods high in vitamin B6, including broccoli, spinach, garlic, celery, fish and poultry, can help increase serotonin levels in the body. A balanced diet including foods such as walnuts, plantains, pineapples, bananas, kiwis, plums and tomatoes can also increase serotonin production.