will increased serotonin help in my weightloss? how do I increase it?

Question

my serotonin? Is there side effects?

Answer 1

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, derived from tryptophan, that is involved in sleep, depression, memory, and other neurological processes. An imbalance of serotonin can cause a variety of physical and emotional problems. Low serotonin levels in the brain are a contributing factor to depression. Serotonin is not found in any food or food supplements. It can only be manufactured within the body. The body needs certain raw materials to make serotonin. One of these materials is the amino acid tryptophan. Eating foods with high in tryptophan really doesn't help (despite the popular myth at Thanksgiving about turkey and tryptophan). It takes about 48 hours for the body to convert tryptophan into serotonin.

Two prescription diet pills work in part because of their effects on serotonin in the brain - Meridia and phentermine. These drugs have had limited success in helping folks lose weight, but their effects have really not been all that encouraging. At best, they work for about 12 weeks, then the effects wear off. They have helped people "jump-start" a weight loss regimen, but diet and exercise (sorry) are the only proven (and safe) ways to effectively lose weight - and keep it off. Eat less, move around! There's no magic pill. Although, there are a lot of websites that want to help your wallet lose weight. Save your money.

I hope this helps.

Rick the Pharmacist

Answer 2

There are some good answers. But also know that the common antidepressants that are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like Prozac and Zoloft, which increase the amount of serotonin available to your brain, have about a 10-20 lb weight GAIN associated with them after about a year of use. Serotonin is simply a chemical that can attach to many different receptors in the brain. It depends on which receptor it hits on to know what it will do for you (and it can hit on a lot of different receptors!). For example, one receptor will calm your nerves, while it can go to a different receptor and make you anxious. If you are looking for a neurotransmitter that will help with weight loss, I would look more to dopamine rather than serotonin. It helps decrease cravings for many urges (like smoking, drugs, food, etc.). It's called the body's natural reward system. The medication Wellbutrin works with this; it is the antidepressant that was remarketed under the name Zyban because it decreased craving for cigarettes and is often prescribed to help people stop smoking. Because after all, many of us eat when we're not hungry; it's more of a desire to eat or craving that controls us. Good luck!

Answer 3

Serotonin, which is produced by the brain can help in weight loss. It has been shown to reduce the appetite and block factors which increase the appetite. It also helps in depression and makes you feel good.
You can increase your serotonin levels by eating certain foods, such as fish, especially oily fish, like sardines, bananas, walnuts, chocolate, wholegrains, fruit and vitamins like the B's, Folic Acid and C all increase serotonin production. Exercise will also do this.
The herb St. John's wort will also increase serotonin, but cant be used if you are on any anti-depressant medication, as it may increase side effects such as nausea, anxiety, headache and confusion. Also be careful if you are on any drugs used to treat HIV, some drugs used to treat cancer, drugs used to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs, Digoxin, the oral conctraceptive pill, warfarin and other blood thinners.

Answer 4

Serotonin keeps your mood elevated ( in a happier state of mind). If you have low levels of serotonin you can feel depressed. Most people eat when they are depressed, therefore, if your serotonin levels are increased you are less depressed and you wont eat due to depression. I havent heard of any side effects. There are foods that will increase your levels as well as over the counter and prescription medicine.

Answer 5

Sufficient amounts of circulating serotonin also signal feelings of fullness and reduced appetite. For example, the weight loss drugs Redux and Fenfluramine (the fen part of phen-fen) enhanced circulation of serotonin in the brain in order to create greater and longer feelings of fullness. Low levels of serotonin are linked with depression and increased appetite. Many anti-depressants work by increasing availability of circulating serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, in short, is a very powerful mood enhancer and appetite regulator.

Answer 6

Serotonin supplements are available in market. Serotonin precursors like Tryptophan also are available. They facilitate well being slight mood elevation and thus suppress the craving for sugars and high calory carbohydrates.Side effects include tiredness,fatigue ,insomnia and myalgia.

Answer 7

preset the timer on your tv to turn off after an hour to remind you to do something more active

Answer 8

degrease by scrubbing in the shower for 15 minutes then spend 7 minutes shaving 3 minutes toweling off 4 minutes moisturizing and 20 minutes blow drying and styling your hair

Answer 9

if you re having trouble getting started make a small move such as starting an eating log or buying walking shoes you re three times more likely to follow through if you start with small gestures such as these

Answer 10

soups can be both filling and comforting try making a garden or bean soup with low salt broth and store in portion sized cups for later