Does Serotonin Helps Regulate Mood And Appetite

Serotonin also referred to as one of the "happy hormones," is crucial for controlling mood, hunger, sleep, learning, and memory.

Additionally acting as a neurotransmitter in the neural system, this mood-stabilizing hormone carries impulses from one region of the brain to another. Serotonin overproduction in the brain may result in excessive nerve cell activity. On the other side, depression and anxiety can result from low serotonin levels.

Where And How Is Serotonin Made?

Through a special metabolic conversion process, serotonin is created. The necessary amino acid, a component of proteins, is involved in the initial process. L-5OH-tryptophan, which develops into serotonin, is produced from L-tryptophan. The digestive system produces 90% of the body's serotonin, according to estimates. This explains the expression "the brain in the gut" that refers to serotonin.

In fact, growing research supports associations between gut microorganisms and serotonin production or stimulation. Before the previous ten years, it seemed unfathomable to think that our diet and digestive health may affect our mental health. However, a growing body of research has confirmed the link between several microbiome markers and sadness.

According to a study led by Jeroen Raes, individuals with depression have "consistently reduced" levels of two types of gut flora. It's crucial to remember that there is only correlation here, not cause and effect.

To clearly define the aspects of how gut microbiomes act in the regulation of different neurotransmitters, including serotonin, we are still in a very early stage of research.

Serotonin's Purpose

Serotonin has been proven to control and be essential for a number of biological processes.

Digestive

Serotonin has a role in signalling the brain about nausea, pain, and bloating. It also affects how quickly food goes through the system and the amount of fluid the intestines discharge.

Serotonin aids in bowel function and regulation. When you eat food that is unpleasant or upsetting, your body produces more serotonin to push it out through diarrhoea or vomiting.

Mood

According to studies on serotonin in the brain, serotonin regulates mood, happiness, and anxiety. Depression and low serotonin levels have been linked.

Sleep

Serotonin receptors are present in the regions of the brain that control waking and sleep, but the scientific community is divided on whether serotonin plays a role in sleep at all.

Serotonin promotes sleep by creating melatonin, the hormone that is a precursor and is essential for the proper operation of the sleep cycle.

The Function Of Serotonin In Metabolism And Obesity

Serotonin has been linked in studies to nutrient metabolism, hormone balance, food intake, and energy expenditure.

Serotonin pathways are once again receiving attention as a potential treatment for metabolic disease as awareness of the health crisis of obesity and diabetes grows.

Serotonin has been linked to decreased food intake and increased feelings of satiety in numerous research conducted over the past few decades. For instance, serotonin inhibition causes orexigenic behaviour. Simply put, serotonin restriction could increase appetite and hunger, which could increase food consumption and, in severe situations, could result in obesity.

In contrast, increasing serotonin's synaptic bioavailability has an anorexigenic effect, which means it decreases hunger, causing a reduction in food intake, and weight loss.

Natural Methods To Boost Serotonin

There are several natural ways to increase serotonin levels besides Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors :

Exposure To Bright Light

Studies suggest that exposure to sunlight or light therapy may help alleviate seasonal depression by raising serotonin levels.

Workout

According to a study, regular workouts and exercise can have a favourable impact on mood.

Nutrition

Serotonin levels can be regulated and encouraged by a healthy diet. Foods including eggs, cheese, turkey, almonds, salmon, tofu, and pineapple can raise serotonin levels.

Meditation

 Meditation can help you feel less stressed, which raises your levels of serotonin.

Conclusion

Serotonin is a crucial hormone that affects many body processes, including mood, sleep, sexual desire, bone health, and blood coagulation. The function gut microorganisms play in serotonin synthesis is still being investigated.

Studies to far have shown a connection between depression and a bad gut. The body's weight-control systems and general metabolic health are significantly impacted by its regulatory function in hunger and glucose metabolism.

References

1. Emerging Roles for Serotonin in Regulating Metabolism: New Implications for an Ancient Molecule | Endocrine Reviews | Oxford Academic
2. Serotonin Metabolism - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
3. Serotonin Synthesis and Metabolism
4. Brain Hormones | Endocrine Society.
5. Frontiers | Tryptophan Metabolism by Gut Microbiome and Gut-Brain-Axis: An in silico Analysis | Neuroscience