Foods with serotonin
Better known as the "good mood hormone", the Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that acts in numerous processes in the body e plays a fundamental role both for the well-being of the gastrointestinal system, both for the stability of the nervous system.
Synthesized through the tryptophan, an essential amino acid that must be introduced with food, serotonin is able to regulate various functions related to both digestion and appetite control.
It intervenes in the regulation of the sleep-wake rhythm and in the cardiovascular system, keeping blood pressure under control. Represents a also important for learning and memory, as well as for bone formation.
Starting from carbohydrates, complex ones facilitate the transport of tryptophan in the body: green light to wholemeal products, To vegetable such as lentils and peas, to starchy potatoes. Dwelling on foods of animal origineggs, milk and dairy products in general can be of great help.
From the plant world it is possible to derive the greatest supply of serotonin through some fresh fruits like bananas, cherries, plums, pineapple and kiwis, but also walnuts and almonds.
Among the vegetables, those a are good green leaves and tomatoes, while soy, sesame and sunflower seeds also contain tryptophan.
Finally the chocolate, especially the dark one, represents a significant source of serotonin, both because it is contained within it and thanks to the presence of tryptophan. It is always preferable to consume chocolate containing 85% cocoa.
From a pharmaceutical point of view, tryptophan is sold in the country as a supplement, apart from special cases in which formulations that contain high doses require a prescription (and actually contain a derivative, hydroxytryptophan).
This should be enough to make it clear that the substance is still in search of a precise framework, but the efficacy confirmations for the treatment of are already reasonably good minor cases of depressionprobably due to its stimulating effect on serotonin production.
Foods with dopamine
The production of dopamine it is regulated by an amino acid: tyrosine which plays a fundamental role in its formation. Therefore, having adequate levels of this amino acid is very important: It is found in all protein foods such as turkey, eggs, legumes (a lot in soy), dairy products and beef.
Among these foods, currently of considerable interest are beans that have high quantities of L-dopa, the precursor molecule of dopamine. Several studies have shown that the daily intake of tyrosine can guarantee a surge in dopamine levels by promoting deep thinking and improving memory.
An excess of saturated fats found in animal fats, in butter, palm and coconut oil can interfere with the uptake of dopamine in the brain.
As with serotonin, dopamine can also be taken by drug. L-DOPA is a drug that increases the amount of dopamine produced by the body.
This drug is usually prescribed to patients with Parkinson's disease or a neurological disorder known as 'restless legs syndrome' (RLS).
- side effects Known include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, impaired range of motion and dizziness. In some people the drug can also induce temporary psychic disturbancesi (for example hallucinations or mental confusion).
