How to Increase Serotonin Naturally

28 Apr How to Increase Serotonin Naturally

Did you know that 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut?

Based on this interesting fact, it’s easy to see that you can increase serotonin naturally. However, maintaining good serotonin levels can sometimes be a challenge. Luckily, it’s possible and easy to take serotonin supplements.

In this article, we’ll discuss what serotonin is, the symptoms of low serotonin, the importance of gut health, which foods to eat to increase serotonin, what serotonin-increasing supplements to include in your diet, and non-diet ways to increase serotonin.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a chemical, or neurotransmitter, which carries messages between your nerve cells in the brain and throughout your body. It plays an important role in your mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, wound healing, bone health, and blood clotting. That’s a lot!

Serotonin is sometimes confused with dopamine. Dopamine is more responsible for motivation, pleasure, satisfaction, and the overall reward system. Now you know!

Symptoms of Low Serotonin

Symptoms of low serotonin can show up physically or psychologically.

Psychological symptoms include:

• Mood changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sleep irregularities

Physical symptoms include:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Movement issues
• Bone density
• Pain

Increase Serotonin Naturally Through Your Gut

Serotonin is known as a feel-good chemical, and your gut is known as your second brain. If your gut is happy, you are happy. So, the age-old saying is true: you are what you eat!

The Importance of Gut Health

A healthy gut has a bigger impact than you think! It contributes to your overall well-being. Here’s how:

• Digestion and nutrient absorption
  • Your gut breaks down food and absorbs the nutrients essential for energy, growth, and optimal bodily functions.
• Immune system
  • Your immune system is not only determined and controlled by your genes. It is also influenced by what you eat and how healthy your gut is.
• Mental health
  • We’ve already discussed how most of your serotonin is produced in the gut, but serotonin is not the only factor that affects your mental health. The gut and brain are connected through the gut-brain axis, so your diet easily impacts your mood, anxiety, and even depression.
• Weight management
  • The gut microbiome plays an important role in your metabolism and, therefore, weight regulation.

Increase Serotonin Naturally with These Foods.

Serotonin is derived from tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid found in a number of foods. This includes:

• Chicken breast
• Kidney beans
• Cottage cheese
• Sunflower seeds
• Prawns
• Salmon
• Cashew nuts
• Bananas
• Leafy greens
• Fermented foods

What Serotonin Supplements can I take?

Many foods naturally contain serotonin, but other nutrients are necessary. These extra nutrients assist the body in producing serotonin more effectively.

Some supplements you could use include:

• Probiotics
• Tryptophan
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 fatty acids

These serotonin supplements can help raise your serotonin levels slightly to keep things balanced. But be careful, as too much serotonin can also have adverse effects on your mind and body, such as anxiety, sudden changes in your blood pressure, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Always consult your healthcare professional if you make or are considering any drastic changes to your diet and supplements.

Non-Dietary Ways to Increase Serotonin Naturally

Fortunately, it can be very easy to increase serotonin naturally in ways unrelated to food. These methods can improve your overall health, too, not just for increasing your serotonin levels.

• Psychotherapy can assist in improving your overall mental health.
• Managing stress helps your brain function optimally. You can read more here about your DNA and stress.
• Light therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
• Exercise ensures your body can perform basic functional tasks well into your old age. It is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio every week and strength train at least twice a week.

So, What’s Next?

Have you been convinced that serotonin may solve some of your health problems? Look no further, take our DNA test to find out exactly how you can live a happier (literally) and healthier life!

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