Dean Esmay wrote:
>
> The Hellers and (I believe) the Eades suggest that high levels of insulin
> drive down brain serotonin levels.  They do not give specific references
> and I don't know of any myself, I wish I did.

It has been fairly axiomatic since the mid-seventies that insulin
indirectly raises serotonin levels.  The following may help.

"Insulin is known to reduce blood amino acid levels but when this
hormone was injected into the rats, surprisingly the blood level of
tryptophan did not decrease, in fact it was elevated." (Fernstrom JD and
Wurtman JR, 1972. Elevation of plasma tryptophan by insulin in a rat,
Metabolism 21:337.)

"The same effect was observed after a high-carbohydrate diet."
(Fernstrom JD and Wurtman JR, 1971. Brain serotonin content: Increase
following ingestion of carbohydrate diet, Science 174:1023.)

Undoubtedly the effect of the high carbohydrate diet was mediated by the
insulin response.  Thus, it seemed that hormones are capable of
regulating neurotransmitter levels directly while diet has an indirect
influence.

Many antidepressive medications alter the metabolism of serotonin in the
central nervous system.  It seem logical that if you can manipulate your
serotonin levels with macronutrients, i.e., carbohydrates with good
results than one should try this method first.

Andrew =8-)
--
Andrew S. Bonci, BA, DC, DAAPM
Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnosis
Cleveland Chiropractic College
6401 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, Missouri   64131
(816) 333-7436 ex39