Serotonin Nutrients includes many of the necessary nutrients to support both the kynurenine and serotonergic pathways. When the kynurenine pathway is slowed, and the serotonergic pathway is healthy, optimal levels of serotonin can be achieved.
Tryptophan is one of the main building blocks in serotonin production. Tryptophan is hard to digest and found in very small amounts in the current human diet. Tryptophan competes with other amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, valine, phenylalanine,and tyrosine) for blood brain barrier passage which also inhibits its use in supporting these pathways.
There needs to be a balance of how the limited tryptophan is used in your body.
Serotonin Nutrients contains vitamin B6 and 5-HTP to directly support the serotonergic pathway and the production of serotonin. Without adequate vitamin B6 in the form of Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, the enzyme (AADC) that makes serotonin cannot function.
In times of excessive inflammation and oxidative stress, the body will ‚Äústeal‚Äù tryptophan down the kynurenine pathway at the expense of serotonin production. To support healthy levels of kynurenine pathway activity, a highly bioavailable form of curcumin called Curcugen Æ is included in this formula. A deficiency in vitamin B3 or niacin can speed up the kynurenine pathway. Niacin is also included to support a healthy and normal kyurenine pathway speed.
Once serotonin is made, it may need more support to pass into the synapse and travel to and bind to the serotonin receptors. MAOA and MAOB enzymes can degrade the serotonin. This is more common in people that have “fast” MAOA and MAOB activity due to genetic differences. The serotonin can also be “reuptaked” by a solute carrier known as a reuptake protein. If MAOA and MAOB enzymes are active, and serotonin is passing back through reuptake proteins, very little serotonin makes it to the receptors that give us feelings of normal happiness and calm.
The herb Saffron has been used throughout history to support a healthy mood. Science is now explaining some of the functions of the chemicals found in saffron. Dr. Lynch included the patented Safr’Inside™ ingredient in Serotonin Nutrients because it appears to both slow MAOA and MAOB as well as slow the reuptake of serotonin by inhibiting the activity of SLC6A4 gene. This gene is responsible for making the reuptake proteins that pull more serotonin out of the synapse before they reach the desired receptors. As a result, this saffron derived ingredient supports healthy serotonin levels traveling to the serotonin receptors.
After attaching to the receptors, the serotonin initiates a signaling process that relies on inositol to carry out its function. Serotonin Nutrients includes this important ingredient to make sure the support for serotonin begins at the beginning and ends at the end.
When we are lacking adequate serotonin and have a poor mood, we will often find that we crave foods and behaviors to bring us a boost. This may lead to an increase in consumption of sweets and other additive foods and behaviors. Serotonin Nutrients may support healthy food and behavior choices by supporting normal healthy serotonin levels.
Serotonin is a complete serotonin and mood support supplement containing the additional cofactors of multiple pathways to ensure a healthy pathway balance.