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Serotonin Supplements

Serotonin is a hormone that is naturally found in the brain of all humans being. This hormone is also present in the platelets and the digestive tract of all living beings, including humans. It transmits the nerve impulses within the human body and therefore it has been categorized as a neurotransmitter. Hence, it can help regulate moods in the body. The hormone can also be referred to, as a vasoconstrictor, since it causes the narrowing of blood vessels.
The deficiency of this hormone can lead to several health problems, such as, fatigue, sleeping disorders, impaired cognitive function, anxiety, obesity and depression; these afflictions could lead to further serious medical problems too. Therefore, people all over the world, are now considering serotonin supplements to make up for the deficient in their diets.

What are serotonin supplements?

Not all people manage to get the required amounts of serotonin through their diets. Hence, in such instances, they may be advised to add a serotonin supplement to their daily diet. Serotonin supplements contain a substance known as 5-HTP or tryptophan. This substance can pass through the barriers of the brain to be synthesized into the production of the serotonin hormone. Serotonin supplements are easily available in many health stores as well as pharmacies; they can be purchased in the capsule or pill form. Many health experts advise people to consume high serotonin foods and to enhance their diets with a serotonin supplement, especially to deal with certain conditions, such as sleeping disorders, mood swings and so on.

Natural serotonin supplements

It is quite common for health experts to advise people to increase their intake of foods that are high in serotonin, which they often refer to, as natural serotonin supplements. Fortunately, there are quite a few natural food sources, such as certain fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, eggs and mushrooms that contain serotonin. Therefore, consuming such foods in adequate amounts can ensure that the levels of serotonin in the body remain normal.

An excess of any substance, including serotonin supplements could be harmful and therefore, it is important for all people to consult a doctor, for the recommended dosage of these supplements. It is also advisable for people to get an approval from a doctor, before taking a serotonin supplement or even before increasing their intake of high serotonin foods. This is more important in case of those people who are elderly or are suffering from any preexisting medical condition.

Submitted on January 16, 2014