Weight Loss Day Nine: 5 HTP, Tryptophan, Serotonin, LNAA, Hypothalamus, & Depression
Well I noticed a big difference in how I felt when I took that 5 HTP yesterday. I have come to the conclusion that the amino acids I was taking was lowering my blood ratio of serotonin to overall large neural amino acids, thereby lowering my brain serotonin levels.
Serotonin does not cross the blood brain barrier as easily as many other large neural amino acids do. If the other amino acids are elevated then less serotonin can make it’s way to the brain.
When people eat they usually do not eat until they are full, but they usually eat until their mind tells them they are full. Our often rushed diets do not contain enough tryptophan (a precursor to serotonin) sometimes and thus the brain serotonin levels may be a slight bit low. Right before you eat (and once you begin to eat) your serotonin levels in your hypothalamus continue to rise until you are no longer hungry. Thus by increasing the steady state level of serotonin (assuming you have low serotonin levels) you find satiety much earlier in the eating cycle and eat less food.
Often times depression is caused by low serotonin levels and frequent overeating can be a suggestive symptom of depression.
May 26th, 2004 at 11:19 am
Hey Aaron
)
Watch what you’re doing with the diet, dude. You could send yourself up or down. Go easy with anything new until you know exactly what it does to your overall wellbeing.
I think you’re a bit premature with your conclusion about amino acids. I would be more inclined to blame the ham and cheese for pulling you down than the 5 HTTP for boosting serotonin.
Like the new blog. Found it in your sig. at SEOChat when I was reading a thread.
March 20th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Well, I hate to be contrary, but I disagree with Mr McFox. I have done a considerable amount of research on the topic of 5-htp (as it sounds you have too) and believe you are correct in your conclusion of why it lifted your mood. I just purchased my first bottle this evening to see if it will help me. – encourage you to seek natural therapies as long as you are researching them first. It is better to act and try to improve your wellbeing than to wallow in misery and self-pity (as so many others do). Best wishes.