How Boosting Serotonin Levels Can Lead to Weight Loss

Low Serotonin Levels & Weight Gain

What makes us happy? Surely, the people in our lives and our environment play major roles, but so too does the neurotransmitter serotonin.

For some, low serotonin levels may help explain why some may feel down when there is no other obvious reason. For many, low serotonin levels can simply have us feeling unsatisfied, leading to cravings for food when we are not necessarily hungry. This is why people with persistently low levels of serotonin may struggle to maintain a healthy weight.

Low serotonin levels in most are caused by stress. Take away the stress and serotonin levels may normalize on their own. However, since we live in the real world, people may need help from nutritional supplements to boost serotonin levels in addition to seeking a less stressful lifestyle.

The Role of Nutritional Supplements

Why do we need nutritional supplements to boost serotonin levels instead of making simple dietary changes? Because serotonin is not found in the food we eat. Instead, serotonin is derived from 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which is also not found in food but is found in tryptophan, an essential amino acid.

While tryptophan is well known as being found in turkey, and largely responsible for that feeling of sleepiness after Thanksgiving dinner, it is not found in a high enough quantity in any food to elevate serotonin levels. However, nutritional supplements that contain at least 100mg of 5-HTP are able to increase serotonin levels.

How an African Plant Can Boost Your Serotonin Level

5-HTP found in nutritional supplements is typically derived from the seeds of a plant called Griffonia simplicifolia, an ivy-like shrub found in West and Central Africa. These seeds are then ground into a powder and packaged in a vegetable gel capsule. Once ingested, the body converts the seed powder into 5-HTP and then serotonin. Elevated serotonin levels then help to give us a feeling of well-being that can lead to improvements in mood, sleep and happiness and decrease feelings of hunger, anxiety and depression.

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