There are several people who take SSRI antidepressant for their depression. It is crucial to know, why you feel depressed. Researches have often linked chronic inflammation, gut bacteria, poor gut health and overall brain health with problems related to depression.
In fact, we still require enjoy healthy serotonin activity and target of SSRIs to feel a bit better. Do you notice these symptoms of low serotonin in you?
- Feelings of depression
- Anger and Rage
- Not finding enthusiasm in life
- Not finding pleasures and joys of life
- Depression due to low sunlight
- Not enjoying friendships, favorite relations, hobbies and friendship
- Life seems good on paper but doesn’t feel good at all.
Light – Our brain needs enough light for manufacturing serotonin. Thus, staying indoors a lot of time or being in dark or grey weather has a bad influence on the serotonin activity of the body.
Estrogen – Estrogen deficiency in women leads to low serotonin activity. This is one of the reasons why women going through perimenopause or post-menopause feel depressed.
Though it is quite essential to use functional medicine for addressing the causes of low estrogen, which includes adrenal imbalances or blood sugar, there are many post-menopausal or perimenopausal women need bioidentical hormone replacement. In such a situation, estrogen therapy can deplete methyl donors which is essential for serotonin synthesis. Thus, it is important to supplement with them: MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), methyl B-12 or SAMe.
Diet: A bit of nutritional advice can help in addressing the problem of low serotonin. One can consume foods rich in tryptophan, which is a precursor amino acid to serotonin. But, clinically this doesn’t seem to work.
Good nutritional advice means a diet which ensures stability of the blood sugar and which does not cause inflammation of the body or the gut. It means avoiding all processed carbohydrates and sugar or staying away from food which can trigger a condition of immune response. It is important to have plenty of diverse vegetables which can foster healthy gut bacteria.
Gut Inflammation and Blood Sugar – Blood sugar problems – either too high or too low can influence serotonin activity, which can be a cause for depression. The same can apply with a diet which tends to inflame the body and the gut.
Iron – If there is an iron deficiency, it can lead to low serotonin. Iron deficiency can include problems related to celiac disease, uterine fibroids, heavy periods, low stomach acids, parasites, iron anemia, leaky gut, and low stomach acid among other problems.
Nutritional Cofactors Which are Related to Serotonin Activity
In addition to iron, nutrients serotonin synthesis requires include P-5-P (pyridoxal-5-phosphate), an active form of B-6, niacin, methyl B-12, folic acid, and magnesium.
Deficiencies in these cofactors are widespread due to how poorly most Americans eat.
Additionally, magnesium deficiencies can arise in those taking diuretics or athletes who over train.
Methyl donors such as methyl B-12 are important for the conversion of the amino acid 5-HTP to serotonin; people who take SSRI antidepressants for long periods of time deplete their methyl donors and P-5-P.
Those considering weaning off SSRIs may need to supplement with these cofactors to cover deficiencies acquired during use of the medication.
Supplements Which can Support Different Serotonin Activity
Various amino acids 5-HTP or tryptophan are known to be precursors to serotonin. There are others who choose 5-HTP as it is just a step away from converting to serotonin. Tryptophan is just two steps away. Thus, 5-HTP is known to have more potential for boosting serotonin levels. Both of this work well and can work to cover the bases.
Tryptophan or 5-HTP are known to be quite effective in addressing different kinds of depression. There are conditions like mood disorders, migraines, chronic headaches, regular nightmares and also fibromyalgia.
Botanicals are known to increase various receptor site sensitivity. It also ensures good breakdown of the used serotonin. It also provides all the needed cofactors which are essential for the production of serotonin, which includes St. John’s wort, folic acid, niacinamide, SAMe, magnesium citrate and also , P-5-P (a form of B-6).
Get in touch with my office to learn how we can help in supporting brain serotonin activity so that you can stay happily and enjoy life a lot.