Serotonin! Keeps you happy & curbs cravings!

We have an abundance of hormones which run our body and we need in the perfect amounts to function and feel our best!

Hormones travel throughout our body to tissues and organs essentially telling them what to do!

One very important hormone is serotonin!

Serotonin affects our appetite, mood, memory, and even sleep schedule.  So basically everything we do and how well our body can work, because appetites, equal food, and food equals energy!

In addition to this, serotonin plays an important role in the functioning of our heart, digestion, and even bladder control!

Hormones including serotonin are sensitive to any changes we make, from major life events, to lack of exercise, or too much, poor diet, lack of sleep, aging, stress, etc.  And if not properly managed these changes can throw all our hormones off.

If your serotonin production is too low you may feel more irritable, anxious, sad, and have trouble sleeping.

This is really important, because for those that have serious conditions such as depression they may even take medications known as SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which basically help your body increase serotonin function in their body.  This shows how much serotonin can affect your mood!

Low serotonin levels will also change your appetite. You may be endlessly hungry or not have an appetite at all.  This may depend more on your personal emotional response to food, mood, and stress. Which I mean who is not stressed nowadays!

So how can you make sure you are making enough serotonin to keep your mood up and appetite managed?

First Eat Serotonin Boosting Foods!

Eat foods with tryptophan.  This is an amino acid which is converted in the brain to serotonin, helping you feel happy!  Tryptophan is high in protein based foods such as dairy, meat, tofu, turkey, salmon, and even nuts and seeds!

The next way you can increase your serotonin levels is to get more exercise!

Exercise automatically causes serotonin to be released. In addition endorphins are released which are other feel-good hormones!  

These hormones are so helpful they have been shown to be nearly as effective for treating depression.  The key is to move your body regularly in a way you enjoy!

Keep in mind that if you have been feeling depressed, anxious, irritable, or you’re experiencing any other symptoms of low serotonin, the best thing you can do is to seek professional advice.

Try to be active daily, manage your stress levels, get a good night rest regularly and eat a balanced diet and your serotonin levels should naturally be in a healthy range!