- What is serotonin for
- 1. Acts on bowel movements
- 2. Regulates mood
- 3. Regulates nausea
- 4. Regulates sleep
- 5. Blood clotting
- 6. Bone health
- 7. Sexual function
- Signs that serotonin is low
- Foods to increase serotonin
- Selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that acts in the brain, establishing communication between nerve cells, and can also be found in the digestive system and in blood platelets. This hormone is produced through an amino acid called tryptophan, which is obtained through food.
Serotonin is a hormone that acts by regulating mood, sleep, appetite, heart rate, body temperature, sensitivity and intellectual functions and therefore, when this hormone is in a low concentration, it can cause bad mood, difficulty sleeping, anxiety or even depression.
One of the ways to increase the concentration of serotonin in the bloodstream is to consume foods rich in tryptophan, to exercise regularly and in more severe cases, to take medication.
What is serotonin for
Serotonin is very important for various functions of the body, so it is very important that the amounts of this hormone are in balance.
1. Acts on bowel movements
Serotonin is found in large quantities in the stomach and intestine, helping to control bowel function and movements.
2. Regulates mood
Serotonin acts on the brain regulating anxiety, increasing happiness and improving mood, so low levels of this hormone can cause anxiety and lead to depression.
3. Regulates nausea
Serotonin production increases to help eliminate toxic substances from the intestine, for example in cases of diarrhea, and this increase also stimulates a region of the brain that controls nausea.
4. Regulates sleep
Serotonin also stimulates regions in the brain that control sleep and awakening.
5. Blood clotting
Blood platelets release serotonin to help heal wounds. Serotonin leads to vasoconstriction, thus facilitating blood clotting.
6. Bone health
Serotonin plays a role in bone health. Significantly high levels of serotonin in bones can lead to osteoporosis, which makes bones weaker.
7. Sexual function
Serotonin is a substance that is related to libido and, therefore, changes in the levels of this hormone can alter sexual desire.
Signs that serotonin is low
The low concentration of serotonin in the body can lead to the appearance of:
- Bad mood in the morning; Sleepiness during the day; Alteration of sexual desire; Willingness to eat sweets; Eating all the time; Difficulty in learning; Disturbances of memory and concentration; Irritability.
In addition, the person may also feel tired and run out of patience easily, which may indicate that the body needs more serotonin in the bloodstream.
Foods to increase serotonin
Watch this fun video about the foods you should eat to improve your mood:
Some foods rich in tryptophan, which serve to increase the production of serotonin in the body, are:
- Dark chocolate; Red wine; Banana; Pineapple; Tomato; Lean meats; Milk and its derivatives; Whole grains; Brazil nuts.
Foods like these should be eaten daily, in small portions, several times a day. A good example of this is to take a banana smoothie with Brazil nuts for breakfast, eat a grilled chicken breast with tomato salad for lunch, and have 1 glass of red wine after dinner.
See more examples of foods that help increase serotonin and also see how to consume these foods. In addition, food supplements with tryptophan can also be used in the composition,
Selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake
In more severe cases, such as depression or excessive anxiety for example, it may be necessary to take medicines that are prescribed by the doctor. The most used remedies are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as escitalopram, sertraline or fluoxetine, for example, which act by inhibiting the resorption of this hormone in the brain.
