Neurotransmitters and Food

A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger released from one nerve cell, which finds its way to another nerve cell, where it influences a particular chemical reaction to occur. Neurotransmitters control major body functions including movement, emotional response, and our physical ability to experience pleasure and pain. A neurotransmitter imbalance can cause depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, irritable bowel, hormone dysfunction, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, obsessions, compulsions, adrenal dysfunction, chronic pain, migraine headaches, and even early death. Scientific and medical research indicates that our brains use more than 35 different neurotransmitters, some of these we can control and some we can’t.

There are many types of chemicals that act as neurotransmitters in the human body. The way that foods may affect these chemicals is important in understanding the possible role of diet in developmental disorders. The foods we eat can directly affect the performance of the brain. It has been proven that by eating the right foods, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, be more emotionally stable, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young. If you give your brain the right nutrients, you will be able to think quicker, have a better memory, be better coordinated and balanced, and have improved concentration.

Three key Neurotransmitters

• Neurons, which power the message,

• Neurotransmitters, which create the message and

• Receptors, which receive the message.

Serotonin is responsible for the calming and relaxation states with a general sense of wellbeing. High levels of serotonin can cause a person to feel sluggish and drowsy. Low levels of serotonin will cause intense food cravings, insomnia, depression, aggressive behavior, increased sensitivity to pain, and is associated with obsessive-compulsive eating disorders. Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan in the presence of adequate vitamins B1, B3, B6, and folic acid. The best food sources of tryptophan include brown rice, cottage cheese, meat, peanuts, and sesame seeds.

Dopamine and norepinephrine are responsible for alertness, fuel for enthusiasm, and motivation. Protein consumption causes these two neurotransmitters to be released into the brain. Good protein sources include meat, chicken, fish, nuts, soy products, eggs and dairy products.

Some proteins that affect dopamine levels are:

• Fish such as salmon, tuna, flounder.

• Chicken, eggs and turkey.

• Small amounts of red meat.

• Beans, such as chickpeas and lentils.