Serotonin Levels

Serotonin is produced in the brain, but the majority of it (over 90%) is found in the lower intestinal tract (also known as the gut) where it controls intestinal movements. It is also known to be responsible for the level of happiness one feels and can result in mood disorders if there are low serotonin levels. Individuals suffering from an inability to produce serotonin levels adequate for happiness are typically diagnosed with clinical depression and placed on prescription anti-depressants.

Low Serotonin

Each individual is different and low serotonin levels vary from person to person. Some individuals may need an abnormally high level of serotonin in the body to keep an elevated mood, while others with similar levels would appear to be suffering from temporary insanity.

There is no definitive definition for low serotonin levels. If you are concerned that you may have low serotonin levels you may want to consult with your physician.

Boost Serotonin Naturally

There are several ways you can boost serotonin without the need for prescription drugs. Stumbling upon the question, can l-theanine treat depression will surprise with the answer of yes but to a certain degree. You could try any of the following:

1. Eat some sweets, such as cakes or cookies.
2. Eat starchy vegetables, like potatoes
3. Reduce the amount of protein in your diet
4. Spend 40 minutes to an hour exercising

The sweet foods and starchy vegetables are high in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are known to boost serotonin production. Lowering your protein intake will help, too, because protein-rich meals flood the body with several hormones that compete with the body’s ability to synthesize serotonin.

Exercising for just 40 minutes to one hour is known to provide a serious boost to mood. Studies performed by scientists in Texas have shown that this is a consistently effective way to boost serotonin naturally. Individuals that exercised regularly and then gave up their routine for 48 hours were shown to have lower levels of serotonin than when they were exercising regularly.

Combat Your Serotonin Deficiency

Take a good look at your diet and figure out if you’re eating too much protein and not enough carbohydrates. A serotonin deficiency can make it difficult for you to eat, making it a much more complicated issue than it appears at first glance.

Consider taking a supplement like SAM-e – it will allow you to boost serotonin levels without forcing you to eat large amounts of carbohydrates and sweets. Over time you can begin eating more of these foods, helping to boost your mood.

You will need to combat the body’s natural processes that convert these foods to fat. Exercising will help with that, while also helping to significantly boost serotonin levels.
Combine these three things to eliminate your serotonin deficiency and get back on track with living a normal, happy, healthy life.

Of course, you may want to consult a doctor if you have tried these things and they proved unsuccessful in the past. In some cases your serotonin deficiency can be caused by a defect that prevents the brain from synthesizing enough serotonin for normal cognitive functions. If this is the case only professional treatment can help.